Does anyone use wireless headphones or in ear monitors?

[Corabar Steve]

this sort of thing (http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Wireless-In-Ear-Monitor-System-by-Gear4music/OUE)

Any thoughts on the subject

[Excalibur]

Short answer, no, sorry.

Longer one, the one you've linked to looks like something intended for the stage, rather than uncoupling a DJ from his playout. There are a lot of more conventional options, according to Google. I have no idea of which is better or worse than anything else, but I like Sony (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Wireless-Radio-Frequency-Headphones/dp/B00JF3G0R0/ref=sr_1_22?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446625151&sr=1-22)

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will turn up.

[Corabar Steve]

Ideally I want something I can just pop in at the start of the night & leave there. The ones you've linked to aren't suitable for that. Also, I hate wearing big headphones.

The other thing is I'm bound to forget to charge the damned things, so something with a belt pack would be a bonus as far as I'm concerned

[Excalibur]

Ideally I want something I can just pop in at the start of the night & leave there.

I'm missing something here. :confused: The only logical explanation I can come up with is that you're so sick of hearing such disco staples as Agadoo and The Birdie Song, that you've decided to eschew this by sticking the buds in, and listening to some Psychobilly, or Garage. ( Mind you, listening to someone undoing the wheelnuts on a 2001 Ford Fiesta is an acquired taste, in my humble opinion).


To make a fleeting attempt at something resembling sanity, should you opt for the sort of thing you indicated, how will you hear punter requests? Ah, I know. It's fiendishly clever, and absolutely brilliant. I congratulate you Steve, and will immediately embark on a similar project. Genius, sheer genius. :bowdown::bowdown:



Oops, I nearly forgot to divulge what your cunning plan must be. At a stroke, it will end the nightmare of inebriated females hanging on you for support, while thrusting their mouths against your ear, and screeching at a pain inducing level their request for some or other dross. Now, you will be cordoned off by a barrier of some sort, and punters will make requests by means of the SM58 on a stand placed well away from you, which you are monitoring in your ear buds, through a mixer. Brilliant.

[Benny Smyth]

I've used in-ear monitors before (not wireless, mind). I actually prefer them - you can cancel out the noise more effectively and you don't need them at such high volumes, thus meaning that you protect your hearing more effectively. Sadly, I use ear plugs at all my gigs (a habit more than anything now), so I can't use them. :(

[yourdj]

I thought about monitors when i started getting hearing problems. I now use one clear earplug like this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-E-A-R-Clear-Earplugs-1-Pair-FREE-UK-P-P-/390821158813?hash=item5afec19f9d:g:fE8AAOxy4YdTTbZ ~) and the other ear has the head phones on most the time. The clear ones have a hole through the middle so you can still hear a lot (i wear one and can still hear my baby, just cancels out quite a bit).

Works well at gigs.


Ideally I want something I can just pop in at the start of the night & leave there. The ones you've linked to aren't suitable for that. Also, I hate wearing big headphones.

The other thing is I'm bound to forget to charge the damned things, so something with a belt pack would be a bonus as far as I'm concerned

Is this so you can stick on some steam punk music, whilst the Macarena is playing out the PA? :p

[Excalibur]

Is this so you can stick on some steam punk music, whilst the Macarena is playing out the PA? :p

Hmmm, Toby. I wonder who suggested something like this much earlier? :whistle:



I'm missing something here. :confused: The only logical explanation I can come up with is that you're so sick of hearing such disco staples as Agadoo and The Birdie Song, that you've decided to eschew this by sticking the buds in, and listening to some Psychobilly, or Garage.

[Corabar Steve]

Oh FFS!

It's so that I can use headphones for cueing etc.... I'm not the Missing, er I mean Weakest Link you know! (More long term readers will get this reference). Preferably without any leads to get tangled up in, that will block out some background noise, but that I still will be able to hear requests & that won't make me look like some Hipster :Censored:

[DazzyD]

I've used one of the Shure belt-pack units a few times a few years ago when I was throwing in some "real" live mixing and I liked them. They were noise-cancelling in-ear buds but I could still hear the sound from the front as well as what was going straight in my ears. I think they worked pretty well and I could just leave them in unlike full size headphones which I would put on and take off regularly.

As Peter said, they are designed more for front-of-stage performers but there's no reason why we shouldn't be using them. However, I can't vouch for the quality of the Gear4DJs ones. The ones I had were over £400 for the whole system!

[Corabar Steve]

If I went for the G4M ones it would only be to see if I got on with them without the larger outlay of the Shure or even the LD ones If I spend 60 quid & don't get on with it, it's a lot less of a loss than
£150 - £500

[Corabar Steve]

Oh, & for the record, I'm fully aware of their intended use

[DazzyD]

If I went for the G4D ones it would only be to see if I got on with them without the larger outlay of the Shure or even the LD ones If I spend 60 quid & don't get on with it, it's a lot less of a loss than
£150 - £500

That makes sense.

I've had a look at that one in more detail and, to be fair, the quality of sound will depend on which ear buds you choose to use with it. It looks like it will take any with a 3.5mm stereo jack on the end so, in fairness, you could probably put any headphones/ear buds on it that you want.

I do have one little reservation with the build quality, though. From those pictures, you have to open to battery cover to adjust the sound volume or change the channel. I'm just wondering how prone it will be to having the batteries fall out when you open the cover to turn it up. I think I'd have preferred to have the batteries locked away so that risk doesn't exist. It's just a little thing but it did spring to mind!

[yourdj]

Hmmm, Toby. I wonder who suggested something like this much earlier? :whistle:

Sorry missed that. :)

i think the cheaper ones would be good for your use.

The more expensive ones are designed for singers and musicians who may be running about, so my guess is that stability in the ear, quality of the sound, but improved range and signal would be key, where as the receiver will be right next to you and you will be stationery so should work well assuming the earplugs are decent enough quality. :)

[Excalibur]

Oh FFS!

It's so that I can use headphones for cueing etc.... I'm not the Missing, er I mean Weakest Link you know! (More long term readers will get this reference). Preferably without any leads to get tangled up in, that will block out some background noise, but that I still will be able to hear requests & that won't make me look like some Hipster :Censored:
Steve, Steve, all we're asking for is information on your planned use and requirements, so that we may better tailor our advice and responses to suit your needs, budget and situation. ( And if you believe that................. :D:D )


Oh, & for the record, I'm fully aware of their intended use

Oooooh.
17522
:D:D

Right, tablet time. Be serious Peter.
Steve, I am surprised that you would wish to wear something long term, as opposed to intermittently. I assume you're regularly working with high ambient noise that you wish to filter out, a circumstance I only find myself in on few occasions.

Since becoming digital, my headphone use has decreased immensely, as viewing waveforms can often give enough information for me. I wouldn't be without a pair though, there are occasions when they're vital.
As Toby says, I see no reason why the gear4music ones shouldn't suit your purpose well enough to obviate the need to spend money on a high end system. I await your report with interest, as we've raised the subject of hearing protection before, and for our younger readers, it's something they'd be well advised to look into.

[rth_discos]

Just a quick one with in ear headphone/noise reducing ear plugs... how do you determine the right volume for the speakers when everything is so much quieter in your own ears?

[Excalibur]

Just a quick one with in ear headphone/noise reducing ear plugs... how do you determine the right volume for the speakers when everything is so much quieter in your own ears?

When all the punters aren't pinned to the back wall with the sound pressure? :whistle:



Looks like the tablets have worn off again, sorry. :o:o

[yourdj]

When all the punters aren't pinned to the back wall with the sound pressure? :whistle:



Looks like the tablets have worn off again, sorry. :o:o

I use an iPhone app, as a number is more accurate than the ear.
i often go to the loo and tell my assistant off for turning it up when its just my ears adapting to the quiet.

[rth_discos]

I use an iPhone app, as a number is more accurate than the ear.
i often go to the loo and tell my assistant off for turning it up when its just my ears adapting to the quiet.

What dB do you play to? I worked on a 90dB limiter venue the other day, and was surprised that actually it was quite a reasonable volume!

[ukpartydj]

I use an iPhone app, as a number is more accurate than the ear.
i often go to the loo and tell my assistant off for turning it up when its just my ears adapting to the quiet.

Whilst I have not tried a real meter vs an app I did test the reading between an iPhone 6, Sony Z3 and a Galaxy S4 ... wildly different.
I was told the venue had a 92dB limiter hence the reasoning for testing but found it to be totally unusable for that purpose.
Also I believe most phones cannot measure very well above 90dB / at all above 100dB.

I considered getting a dB meter but then I get asked to turn it up and turn it down quite often depending on the clients.

Back on topic though I do like the idea of wireless in ear headphones. You'd look quite the professional and you wouldn't mess your hair up! When you can get a decent set of headphones for £150 the thought of spending £500 does make me cringe a little.

[yourdj]

What dB do you play to? I worked on a 90dB limiter venue the other day, and was surprised that actually it was quite a reasonable volume!

I use this and use peak. 97 ish for back ground and circa 100-102 for party. I don't know how accurate it is in reality but its pretty consistent. I have a posh level meter, which I bring to venues that have sound problems (shows you know what you doing), but generally use the phone most the time as it does not switch off every 5 mins!

I don't work with sound limiters (I am plugged into) under 95 db anymore.
Ones I can bypass are not too bad as you can still adhere to the levels and only get a couple of shut offs.

17523

[Corabar Steve]

I use this and use peak. 97 ish for back ground and circa 100-102 for party. I don't know how accurate it is in reality but its pretty consistent. I have a posh level meter, which I bring to venues that have sound problems (shows you know what you doing), but generally use the phone most the time as it does not switch off every 5 mins!

I don't work with sound limiters (I am plugged into) under 95 db anymore.
Ones I can bypass are not too bad as you can still adhere to the levels and only get a couple of shut offs.

17523

That's nice.




SHAME IT'S :offtopic: & bears bugger all relation to what I was asking.

[yourdj]

That's nice.




SHAME IT'S :offtopic: & bears bugger all relation to what I was asking.

No it isn't, someone asked "how do you know what the volume of the speakers are when you have in ear monitors" So the topic of conversation went onto digital sound level meters as you then have a figure to work with rather than taking them (the in ear monitors) out all the time to check. :)


Just a quick one with in ear headphone/noise reducing ear plugs... how do you determine the right volume for the speakers when everything is so much quieter in your own ears?

[Corabar Steve]

TBH, you took it off topic when you started blathering on about earplugs & listening to other music instead of concentrating on what you were playing.

I started this thread to find if anyone used wireless in ear monitoring equipment or knew anything about them.

It's become clear that nobody does apart from the couple who used them a few times.

Thanks to all who posted useful comments (even Peter), I've decided to give the cheap ones a go, to see how I get on with them.

[Excalibur]

s. You'd look quite the professional and you wouldn't mess your hair up! .
Sadly, that's way down my list of priorities. :(:(


That's nice.
SHAME IT'S :offtopic: & bears bugger all relation to what I was asking.
Uncharacteristically, I'd have to back Toby, rather than Steve. Since you wish to use earpieces which will stay in over the evening, and reduce the noise you hear from the PA, I'd say the idea of a visual display of sound levels is related.


TBH, you took it off topic when you started blathering on about earplugs & listening to other music instead of concentrating on what you were playing.

Actually, as I pointed out, that was me. Apologies for that. I shall send myself a stern PM.


Thanks to all who posted useful comments (even Peter), I've decided to give the cheap ones a go, to see how I get on with them .
:o:o
To be serious, I'm still keen to know if you're regularly working in venues where you're experiencing uncomfortable noise levels? That I would regard as a good reason to choose them over headphones which you would only use intermittently.

Good luck Steve, let us know how you get on.

[Benny Smyth]

To be serious, I'm still keen to know if you're regularly working in venues where you're experiencing uncomfortable noise levels? That I would regard as a good reason to choose them over headphones which you would only use intermittently.

Would it have to be uncomfortable noise levels? At 88 decibels, it takes four hours for it to start damaging your hearing. At 94 decibels, it's an hour and at 100 decibels, it only takes 15 minutes. If that is a factor in Steve's decision along with not liking big headphones, it's a sound (budum-tsh!) decision to look into it.

[yourdj]

TBH, you took it off topic when you started blathering on about earplugs & listening to other music instead of concentrating on what you were playing.

I started this thread to find if anyone used wireless in ear monitoring equipment or knew anything about them.

It's become clear that nobody does apart from the couple who used them a few times.

Thanks to all who posted useful comments (even Peter), I've decided to give the cheap ones a go, to see how I get on with them.

Good luck with that Steve, should be a good buy really for the cost of them.
You may have more luck on a forum like this possible? :)

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb13/articles/in-ear-monitors.htm

[Excalibur]

Would it have to be uncomfortable noise levels? .
I'd have thought that went without saying. :confused: I'm sure it's possible to experience mild discomfort without the likelihood of permanent damage, although I'm no expert on this at all.


If that is a factor in Steve's decision along with not liking big headphones, it's a sound (budum-tsh!) decision to look into it .
I don't think that's in dispute. I shall be interested to see how he fares with them, as if his experiences are good, it may well be of use to the younger members whose hearing hasn't yet been damaged.

[Corabar Steve]

I'd say the idea of a visual display of sound levels is related
To a degree, but it wasn't what I was asking. A separate topic maybe? Besides, unless the venues you play at vary wildly in size & shape, wouldn't most DJs have rough idea of how loud they usually go (by ear obviously). Nothing's stopping you from popping out front every now & then to check you're not too loud or quiet as you would do now (just need to pop the buds out while you do it, it's not exactly a hassle)


Would it have to be uncomfortable noise levels? At 88 decibels, it takes four hours for it to start damaging your hearing. At 94 decibels, it's an hour and at 100 decibels, it only takes 15 minutes. If that is a factor in Steve's decision along with not liking big headphones, it's a sound (budum-tsh!) decision to look into it.One of our quieter venues has an average of 84db. I would imagine 88 wasn't too much of a stretch for a lot of gigs.

If you already have damage (& I have noticed I don't hear as well as I used to), lower levels can contribute. In ear also means headphone volume needen't be as loud.


http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb13/articles/in-ear-monitors.htmThanks for the link Toby, an interesting read.

[DazzyD]

... Nothing's stopping you from popping out front every now & then to check you're not too loud or quite as you would do now (just need to pop the buds out while you do it, it's not exactly a hassle)

...

I started out doing karaoke discos as a trainee DJ and this was advice given to me in the very early days. Get out from behind the speakers and have a listen! It applies to both discos (to check sound levels) and karaoke (to check the balance between singer and backing track). That's sound advice that's stuck with me all these years! :)

[yourdj]

Thanks for the link Toby, an interesting read.

Not really been on that forum much, but if I ever have any seriously technical sound questions thats my first port of call. :)
Lots of studio engineers and road technicians.

[Corabar Steve]

If I went for the G4M ones it would only be to see if I got on with them

I did go for them. I used them for the first time tonight, no problems whatsoever (as long as I remember to pop at least one of them out when I use the mic.

Was out in the bar tonight with the casino guys & magician eating our sandwiches when I realised I couldn't hear the background music any more over the ambient conversation noise. Switched the receiver on && popped a bud in my ear. No problem, it was just a quiet bit of the track.

[yourdj]

I did go for them. I used them for the first time tonight, no problems whatsoever (as long as I remember to pop at least one of them out when I use the mic.

Was out in the bar tonight with the casino guys & magician eating our sandwiches when I realised I couldn't hear the background music any more over the ambient conversation noise. Switched the receiver on && popped a bud in my ear. No problem, it was just a quiet bit of the track.

Nice. Must be weird talking with them in. Nice to have UHF and check the music when out of the room (i.e. a toilet miles away). I hate leaving the room during a gig when on my own.

[Corabar Steve]

Nice. Must be weird talking with them in. Nice to have UHF and check the music when out of the room (i.e. a toilet miles away). I hate leaving the room during a gig when on my own.

Indeed, & yes, if you don't take one out when talking, you do get a bit shouty.