If you’re a gigging musician, you’re probably well-versed in music playback on stage – whether that’s through floor monitors or in-ear monitors (IEMs), the latter of which we’ll be discussing in this article. But if you’re new to performing, or you’re returning after a hiatus, you might have realised that the landscape for these handy, nifty devices has changed over the past few years.
IEMs are no longer reserved for large-scale productions; they’re now used for smaller gigs too. But what are in-ear monitors? How do they work? And why would someone choose them over the trusty stage monitor? We’ll discuss all this and more in our guide to IEMs for any level of performer who wants to upgrade their on-stage setup.
Key takeaways
In a nutshell, here are the core things you need to know about IEMs:
- They’re designed for musicians to hear themselves on stage
- Unlike stage wedges, they deliver the frequency region that best suits the performer
- IEM systems consist of the transmitter, the receiver, and the earphones
- They block outside noise, ensuring you can hear your mix clearly
- Wired and wireless options are available
Our IEM recommendations
SubZero SZ-IEM In Ear Monitors
- 20Hz – 20kHz frequency range
- Silicon/memory foam ear-tips
- 3 ear-tip sizes
Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones
- 22Hz – 17kHz frequency range
- Blocks up to 37db
- Kevlar-reinforced cable
LD Systems MEI1000G2 In-Ear Monitoring Wireless System
- 96 UHF channels
- EQ and limiter functions
- 12+ hours of operation
What are in-ear monitors?
In-ear monitors are earphones designed specifically for live performers, in particular, live musicians. They allow gigging vocalists and instrumentalists to hear their own performance and the rest of the band, without competing with outside noise.
Unlike floor monitors (which you may be used to if you’re reading this guide), IEMs send the frequency range you need to hear directly to your ears. Stage noise is significantly reduced due to there being fewer stage monitors, and you can hear exactly what you’re playing with exceptional clarity.
If you move about the stage quite a lot, you’ll benefit from wireless IEMs, and because they’re such nifty devices, rather than the heft of a floor monitor, they give you much more freedom and space on stage.
But the “in-ear” part of the system is just the start of it. A complete system comprises a transmitter, a receiver (usually a belt pack), and earphones. The audio signal travels along this chain, going from the transmitter to the receiver, which then delivers it to the earphones.
If you do go a bit wild on stage, you might wonder how IEMs cope with such movement. The last thing you want is for your earphones to keep falling out; it’d be a pain to keep putting them back in, and worse, you’ll risk playing out of time if you can’t hear the mix consistently.
Luckily, IEMs are designed to fit securely inside the ear canal, and they’re comfortable, often with over-the-ear cables to prevent them from falling out.
Most musicians will look for a universal fit, but if you’re really serious about IEMs, you might want a custom-fit design. We’ll look at the benefits of each later in the article.
Why use them?
If it wasn’t clear already, IEMs are super useful! They minimise gear on stage (i.e., fewer stage wedges) and they give you a clear mix directly to your ears. With in-ear monitors, you don’t have to battle with a loud crowd – your mix will always be crisp and easy to hear.
Plus, they don’t cause any interference issues with other speakers, keeping both you and your audience happy. They also isolate you from outside noise, meaning you can focus purely on the mix. But this might take some getting used to as it takes away part of that connection with the audience and the rest of your band. However, it does keep your timing tight!
Another major benefit of IEMs is that they give you freedom on stage, especially if you opt for a wireless pair – and most performers will, apart from maybe drummers and other musicians who stay stationary.
How do in-ear monitors work?
So, we’ve mentioned that an IEM system comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a pair of earphones. But how do these components interact with each other? How do IEMs actually succeed in delivering personalised mixes to performers?
To put it simply, the transmitter sends an audio signal to the receiver, which is usually worn as a belt pack.
This receiver then delivers the sound to the earphones, allowing you to hear your personalised mix.
Many IEMs use balanced armature drivers, which are small and precise, or a mix of balanced armature and dynamic drivers for a fuller sound.
With multiple drivers, frequencies are separated very finely, resulting in clearer audio.
Wireless IEM systems use radio frequencies to transmit sound, whereas wired systems connect directly to the mixing desk for a stable, interference-free signal.
Sound quality and noise isolation
Unlike regular earphones or speakers that may colour your sound slightly to give you a warmer, richer, or brighter reproduction, IEMs are a little more honest in their sound. They’re designed to deliver a balanced frequency response (though some may boost the bass a little), ensuring accurate reproduction of vocals and instruments.
Many IEMs also feature multiple drivers to separate bass, mids, and treble, providing a more detailed and immersive listening experience.
Adding to the clear, enveloping sound, IEMs also have extremely good passive noise isolation. By creating a tight seal within the ear canal, the earphones effectively block out external sounds without the need for active noise cancellation.
One major benefit of such noise isolation is that it reduces ear fatigue and the risk of hearing damage as you don’t have to constantly turn the sound up to compensate for a loud crowd. But as we mentioned earlier, this level of isolation does mean you have to rely solely on the mix coming from the IEMs, not the natural sound of your band live or the reactions from the audience.
To counter this disconnect, some setups send an audio signal that feeds audience sound back into the mix, giving you a sense of the atmosphere around you at the gig.
Comfort and wearability
IEMs are meant to be worn for long periods of time, so they need to be comfortable! As well as being snug in the ear canal and blocking out external noise, in-ears should be pleasant and secure to wear. If they’re uncomfortable, you may have a poor-fitting product for your ear.
They come in a few different designs. The most common is the over-ear/hook type, which goes a long way in keeping the earphone secure.
If you have a straight wire, without the hook feature, you might find it beneficial to wrap the cable around your ear. Inserting the actual earbud into the ear is easy – just rotate it back and forth until it feels snug.
If you gig regularly, you might be more serious than others about your IEMs. And to get the most out of your system, it could be beneficial for you to have a custom moulded pair created by an audiologist.
These are more expensive than universal-fit IEMs, but they create an even tighter seal and, therefore, greater noise isolation.
Wired vs. wireless
Most performers will opt for wireless IEMs… and most IEMs are wireless. These systems give you the utmost freedom on stage, which is invaluable if you’re a vocalist, guitarist, or any performer who moves around a lot on stage.
Wired IEMs are less common. These provide a more stable connection with no risk of signal interference or dropouts, but they don’t give you the freedom of movement that wireless models do. However, if you’re a drummer or keyboardist, you might not require a cable-free setup as you’ll be positioned in one place for the set.
IEMs vs. floor monitors
Still struggling to decide between IEMs and stage wedges? Each has its own advantages, and along with these come disadvantages, so choose the one for you and your band that will work best for your setup and the kind of venues you play. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:
In-ear monitors pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clear, personalised mix sent directly to your ears, with no need to keep turning the volume up | You’ll need to make sure you have the right fit to get the best noise isolation and avoid them falling out |
| No interference with other speakers | If using wireless, you’ll need to make sure there’s a low risk of dropouts and interference |
| More space on stage and, if using wireless IEMs, great freedom of movement | |
| Less chance of ear fatigue and damage |
Floor monitors pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You’re fully connected with your band and audience, with no noise isolation getting in the way | More noise on stage and more risk of feedback |
| Despite being larger, stage monitors tend to be less expensive than a whole IEM system for your band |
Things to consider when buying IEMs
Before you start looking for the best in-ear monitors for your setup, there are several factors to consider:
Fit and comfort
One of the main selling points of IEMs is sound isolation. So, you’ll want to look for a pair of in-ears that fit your ears well and provide a tight seal for passive noise cancellation. Universal-fit IEMs come with different ear tip sizes, so you’re likely to find the right pair for you. Going one step further, custom-moulded options provide the absolute best fit.
Sound quality and drivers
IEMs tend to use balanced armature drivers. The more drivers there are, the better the frequency separation, delivering clearer sound for vocals and instruments.
Wired vs. wireless
Think about the type of performer you are. Will you stay stationary, or will you be moving around quite a lot? To that end, think about the considerations you’ll have to make if you opt for wireless IEMs – these are perfect for the freedom they give you on stage, but you’ll need to ensure there are no dropouts or interferences.
Durability and build quality
No matter what kind of musician you are, you’ll need your IEMs to be robust and durable. Brands like Shure and Sennheiser should be at the top of your list – they’re known for their excellent, long-lasting build quality, with reinforced cables and secure connectors to prevent failures during shows.
FAQs
What is the purpose of IEMs?
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are used by live musicians, giving them a clear, personalised mix of their music without battling over the noise of the crowd. IEMs reduce ear fatigue, the chance of hearing damage, and noise on stage.
What are the disadvantages of in-ear monitors?
The main disadvantage of in-ear monitors is that in order for them to work correctly, they need to be the correct fit, allowing for passive noise cancellation and to avoid them falling out during the performance.
Are in-ear monitors worth it?
In-ear monitors are absolutely worth it for both you as a musician and your audience. With a pair of well-fitting IEMs, you’ll be able to hear your mix with fantastic clarity, the noise on stage will be reduced from the lack of floor monitors, and you’re less likely to suffer from ear fatigue.
Final thoughts
If you’re a gigging musician wondering, “What are in-ear monitors?” we hope this guide has provided everything you need to know! These very handy devices are becoming more and more common these days for even small gigs, so it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons to decide if they’re right for you.
For more live sound-related content, check out the following links:
What is a Subwoofer and Why Do You Need One?
How to Write a Song – Our Top Tips
A Comprehensive Band Equipment Checklist
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