MOTM

It has been a couple of years since I played live with a band, but I 
have found, since I'm now pretty much an old fart, that I cannot 
tolerate high SPLs the way I used to.

So I purchased a set of in-ear monitors.  The set I use is made by 
Shure and they are wireless.  I also use a wireless headworn mic when 
I sing (which is as little as possible.)

I use a Samson mixer I got off of ebay that I have modified.  I use 1 
channel for my mic which has a discrete output for the PA as well as 
feeding the mixer for my in-ear mix.
I also run all my keys into the mixer, both for the in-ear mix and the 
PA output which is separate from the mic PA output.
I also receive the same stereo feed that comes out of the PA mixer.  
This goes to my in-ear mix, but not to either of the ouotputs that go 
back to the PA.  (That would cause a feedback loop.)

Ten years or so ago, I used two EV floor slants with 15" speakers and 
horns, pointed at myself, with the same mix feeding the PA.  At the 
time I used a third slant for my vocal.

Going back even further, I used to use 4 cabinets with 2-12s each and 
1000 watts of amplification.

Although the low end frequency response is not that great with in-
ears, I can hear myself and everybody else far better than I ever 
have, and I think my playing and singing has improved as a result.  So 
I'd recommend in-ear monitors, especially if you are playing at high 
SPLs.

As a side note, a friend of mine uses the new Bose system.  It's not 
that loud, but somehow seems to be audible everywhere in the room, and 
is not overly loud on stage.  Something to be looked into, perhaps.

Paul Haneberg