Jordan's use of in-ear monitors

[Michael Troy]

Hey guys, The band Im currently in is using the "in-ear" monitors and our bass playa and I are going out to get the casts done to send away for the custom earmolds tomorrow morning. My questions are this: What kind of in-ears does Jordan use? Does he like the in-ears more than an Amp and floor wedge? Does he use custom molds or does he use what the in-ears come with (little rubber isolation thing or sponges that look stupid, feel terrible and hurt and pop out alot). How long does it take to get used to them. Does he recommend them. I already know "sound men" love em cuz they dont have to do battle with stage noise out front then. Does it change the way our brain's process sound at first, making us feel a little "off" at first.

I was totally opposed to wearing them at first until I seen Jordan wearing them. I see very little other keyboard players use them. I would love to stop luggin the monstrous amp around though. Not exactly good for the fingers, wrists, and elbows before a show.

Please help, and thanx

[keys76]

I'm using in-ear for about 6 years now and I wouldn't want anything else.
It's the best.

But in the beginning you do miss the bass a little bit...but you'll get used to that.

Jeroen

[Michael Troy]

Thanks Jeroen, Any answers to the other questions??

[AboutToCrash420]

Hey Mike,
I think Jordan uses Shure E5's. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. when I started using in-ears i got the shure E3s, then they were stepped on one night, so shure gave me a steal of a deal to upgrade to the E5s. I don't have the molds just yet, but I definately want to get them. Standing in one place playing your board is one thing, Fronting a band and jumping around in front of 3 thousand people is another. So yea, the molds will solve that. They also will isolate the sound so you don't work harder then you have to. Especially if you sing, they are awesome. I play 4 and 5 nights a week and I'll tell you, singing less is best :) you don't have to sing nearly as loud with them and you can boast the monitor as much as you like without feedback. Its a great thing man. My advice, since you are a keyboard player, get the E5s if you dont have them. Because the E5 have a dual-driver in them for bass frequencies. You'll need that for your thick pads and basslines. Hope this helps.

-Steve

[hephiroth]

my band uses shure in-ears as well, although we only have the crappy E-2 ear pieces...however, i find that using the disposable foam things works much better than the plastic things they give you as far as them staying in my ears. jordan uses custom ear pieces, probably with the E5's, although i really have no idea...but i know he has a custom ear mold thing because you can see it on the DVDs...i would love those, but they're soooooo expensive!

i think in-ears, when done right, are the quickest way to a much better live show because when you can hear yourself effortlessly, you WILL play better, trust me

-jeff-

[Tigerfolly]

Hey Mike,
I think Jordan uses Shure E5's. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. when I started using in-ears i got the shure E3s, then they were stepped on one night, so shure gave me a steal of a deal to upgrade to the E5s. I don't have the molds just yet, but I definately want to get them. Standing in one place playing your board is one thing, Fronting a band and jumping around in front of 3 thousand people is another. So yea, the molds will solve that. They also will isolate the sound so you don't work harder then you have to. Especially if you sing, they are awesome. I play 4 and 5 nights a week and I'll tell you, singing less is best :) you don't have to sing nearly as loud with them and you can boast the monitor as much as you like without feedback. Its a great thing man. My advice, since you are a keyboard player, get the E5s if you dont have them. Because the E5 have a dual-driver in them for bass frequencies. You'll need that for your thick pads and basslines. Hope this helps.

-Steve


What's the sound quality of the E5's like, I've yet to try those myself, and since I just finished producing an album and I'm going to steer clear of studio projects for a little while, I might put together a live project out here.. but I need new in-ears for sure. I'm satisfied with the E2s, they get the job done.. but if the E5s sound really good, I'll upgrade.

[Michael Troy]

thanx so much for the info guys. I got the westone equivilant of the shure e1's. I just hope they are ok. Im REALLY poor right now and I cant afford anything better.

[hephiroth]

question: you say you got fitted for custom ear pieces? doesn't that cost a LOT of money? like a grand or something? cuz if it's cheap, i would totally do that

-jeff-

[Tigerfolly]

question: you say you got fitted for custom ear pieces? doesn't that cost a LOT of money? like a grand or something? cuz if it's cheap, i would totally do that

-jeff-

Actually, you can get custom ear molds done at just about any place that does hearing aids. Call around to a few hearing aid clinics, and see how much they charge for ear molds. When you buy hearing aids, it's usually pretty cheap, if not free with the purchase, but I personally have never done it, so I don't know what they'd charge when you're not buying their products.

[AboutToCrash420]

Actually, I was lucky..... My health insurance covered a lot of it. I basically put it like this: "either you gimme money now, or you pay for my hearing aid in 10 years" :) and they agreed. so there is an option

~Steve

[Grey Loki]

Ooh nice tactic. I like it.

[UnderGround]

I want to use in ear monitors.

I have not play live yet but i am prepare for it. I am not profesional musician and i will play with my band.
I want to ask you, can i plug my K2661,any other synth that i will use and my mic(a problem is that my console have not effect for my voice) into a small console to have near me and in the headphone out of the console i plug in the ear phones ? So in this way i can hear my mix right, i think, and of course the output of my console will send to the mix console of the place i will play.

I am wright or wrong. Is this a wright way or i must do this with another.

Thanks.

[Michael Troy]

question: you say you got fitted for custom ear pieces? doesn't that cost a LOT of money? like a grand or something? cuz if it's cheap, i would totally do that

-jeff-


I got the ear mold impressions done for 10 bucks, then I sent those with 100 bucks to sensaphonics and I now have KILLER ear molds.

[hephiroth]

where did you get them done for that cheap???

-jeff-

[Michael Troy]

The impressions i got done at a place called the West Shore hearing center in Camp Hill, PA, and like i said, i sent the impressions to Sensaphonics in chicago 100 bucks plus shipping. They did a fantastic job.