Shure PSM200 In Ear monitors

[Gunsfreddy2003]

Really considering going down the IEM route as at gigs my ears get deafened and I can vary rarely get the right mix on stage of myself and the keys which I rely on a lot!

Just wondered if anyone has used this system and if it is any good as it is the entry level system from Shure?

I presume also that you can change the standard headphones that come with this system to moulded plugs with speakers in from hearing centres etc?

[Gunsfreddy2003]

No-one?

[Monckyman]

Hi, I`ve used a few different iem systems by shure and sennheiser but not this range. Looking at the spec I can`t see any reason why it won`t be as good sonically as the more expensive sets, but it may not cope with larger venues where multiple radio systems are in use.
You can of course use whatever earbuds you like, and can indeed get specialist moulds to fit a range of them. One company that specialises in such is [url="http://www.handheldaudio.co.uk/pages/catalog.asp?divitype=t&tp_id=82&pic=../images/custom_77x22.gif&root_name=Custom+Ears"][color="#FF0000"]Handheld Audio[/color][/url]

Edited April 14, 2011 by Monckyman

[Gunsfreddy2003]

Cheers for the comments - it turns out that most hearing aid centres now sell moulded ear plugs for musicians so you can get these down locally and then just choose how much money you want to spend on the speaker systems within them!

One thing that is puzzling me though is that if I want to take a line out from my bass amp into the Shure IEM system using the DI out then what happens if you are using a PA and the engineer also wants to use that line out? My Mark Bass Little Mark III only has one DI out??

[quote name='Monckyman' post='1200034' date='Apr 14 2011, 10:17 PM']Hi, I`ve used a few different iem systems by shure and sennheiser but not this range. Looking at the spec I can`t see any reason why it won`t be as good sonically as the more expensive sets, but it may not cope with larger venues where multiple radio systems are in use.
You can of course use whatever earbuds you like, and can indeed get specialist moulds to fit a range of them. One company that specialises in such is [url="http://www.handheldaudio.co.uk/pages/catalog.asp?divitype=t&tp_id=82&pic=../images/custom_77x22.gif&root_name=Custom+Ears"][color="#FF0000"]Handheld Audio[/color][/url][/quote]

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='1203191' date='Apr 18 2011, 08:30 AM']Cheers for the comments - it turns out that most hearing aid centres now sell moulded ear plugs for musicians so you can get these down locally and then just choose how much money you want to spend on the speaker systems within them!

One thing that is puzzling me though is that if I want to take a line out from my bass amp into the Shure IEM system using the DI out then what happens if you are using a PA and the engineer also wants to use that line out? My Mark Bass Little Mark III only has one DI out??[/quote]

Haven't you also got a line out on the back of the LM3? DI on the front, line out on the back.

[Gunsfreddy2003]

No - Balanced Line input on the front but only one DI out on the back!!


[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1203351' date='Apr 18 2011, 10:35 AM']Haven't you also got a line out on the back of the LM3? DI on the front, line out on the back.[/quote]

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='1203361' date='Apr 18 2011, 10:40 AM']No - Balanced Line input on the front but only one DI out on the back!![/quote]

Bit of an oversight then Hmm.

[Gunsfreddy2003]

Darn right there!

I wonder if I could just take a jack cable from the last pedal on my board (EBS Unichorus) use the stereo jack output and go into the Shure unit? I think that would work??!!!

Normally I just take the mono output and then go straight into the input of the Mark Bass head.


[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1203446' date='Apr 18 2011, 11:53 AM']Bit of an oversight then Hmm.[/quote]

[Monckyman]

You can get/make passive splitters to double your di out (1xfemale to 2x male xlr) OR,
Just ask the P.A tech to use one of his own D.Is.
Whenever I stick a bass in the house I always use a separate D.I anyway,
One because it has an earth lift and a pad, and is pre amp EQ which may not suit the house (shock horror)
And two because when the guitarist/drummer/pissed/fan falls over and pulls your mains feed out,or your amp blows up, you still have bass in the house.

Are you going to be using a small mixer like a Folio to mix a few channels into your stereo ears, or are you going to set it mono and use the blend function to alter your bass/mix blend?

Edited April 18, 2011 by Monckyman

[Gunsfreddy2003]

I do have an Aguilar Tone Hammer which is a DI box/preamp but I don't really want to take the feed from here as it is pre my f/x board and therefore the signal would not have all of my weird sounds in it!

What I planned to do was when we play without a PA and use back line just take a feed from my bass and the keys player and mix the levels in my ears so to speak. I only really need to hear him as our drummer is so bloody loud. I think that that would work. Obviously when we use a PA at a club I can take my bass signal and then just take a monitor feed from the desk and have the whole band in my ears.

That is my plan anyway.

Seems to be a lot of budget IEM systems from T Bone and LD systems etc and they are a lot cheaper than the Shure system so wonder what to do now!


[quote name='Monckyman' post='1203588' date='Apr 18 2011, 01:46 PM']You can get/make passive splitters to double your di out (1xfemale to 2x male xlr) OR,
Just ask the P.A tech to use one of his own D.Is.
Whenever I stick a bass in the house I always use a separate D.I anyway,
One because it has an earth lift and a pad, and is pre amp EQ which may not suit the house (shock horror)
And two because when the guitarist/drummer/pissed/fan falls over and pulls your mains feed out,or your amp blows up, you still have bass in the house.

Are you going to be using a small mixer like a Folio to mix a few channels into your stereo ears, or are you going to set it mono and use the blend function to alter your bass/mix blend?[/quote]

[Monckyman]

I`ve used an LD IEM set, used it for comms at a gig. Seemed well built enough and had a decent range.
Dunno what they cost.
I think you can take the L+R signals,(l=BASS, r= KEYS) stick the unit in Mono and use the pan control to blend the two. least that`s what the Shures do.
Anything more fancy and you`ll need a micro mixer like a spirit notepad, could stick guitar and vox in as well. or just kick drum clik. etc
I think more and more players are taking this route as it`s gotten a lot cheaper to do, and people want to protect their ears more.
MM

[acidbass]

As per my post on the Wireless IEM sticky, I recently went for a set of Sennheiser G3 GB in ears, the EW300 model. Absolutely cracking! I'm currently receiving all the instruments as dry and uneffected from the PA's AUX send but I'm working on an idea to get effected instruments and vocals to my ears, involving an onstage mixer. Highly recommended though - the quality is just superb! I'm going next week to get moulds taken of my ears.

[Gunsfreddy2003]

Will check out that system.

What in ear speakers are you going for once the moulds have been taken?

[quote name='acidbass' post='1205348' date='Apr 19 2011, 11:12 PM']As per my post on the Wireless IEM sticky, I recently went for a set of Sennheiser G3 GB in ears, the EW300 model. Absolutely cracking! I'm currently receiving all the instruments as dry and uneffected from the PA's AUX send but I'm working on an idea to get effected instruments and vocals to my ears, involving an onstage mixer. Highly recommended though - the quality is just superb! I'm going next week to get moulds taken of my ears.[/quote]

[Walker]

[b]Sorry - bit of a bump on this as i would like Monckyman's advice (again!) - been discussing an issue on a different thread, couple of us having the issue:[/b]

"Received mine (PSM 200) today. Quite a bit of background noise before bass is plugged in. Silent if I use a wire and not wireless, so radio background noise I suppose.

When I plug a mic in, crystal clear signal.

When I plug my bass in, it's awful. Imagine a badly set noise gate trying to keep up with a high gain pedal. Pluck a string and it gets all hissy. Stop the string vibrating and quiet (well, just radio background noise). I've used the line out of the amp, DI'd into the PSM and back into my amp, gone direct into the PSM, everything I can think of.

I've tried passive basses and an active bass. I must be doing something wrong. Any ideas? I could sure do with some help!"

[Monckyman]

Hiya Walker.
sorry you`re having a mare with this stuff.
I`m just scanning the pdf for this system and the only thing I can see is that the mic/jack inputs are the combi type, and they share a gain control on the input.
Have you tweaked this at all?
When you play a bass directly inserted,what are the level led lights doing?
From your description it sounds almost like you are overloading the input and that`s causing distortion.
You probably have done so already but, just for luck, turn the input control knob ALL the way down.
now get your bass plugged in and slowly turn it up and see what difference in level you get.
From the manual
[i]"Audio Inputs and Outputs[/i]
[i]The INPUT knobs control both MIC and LINE level signals. As a general guide-line, set the knob to the left of twelve o’clock for line level signals, and to the right of twelve o’clock for microphone levels.[/i]
[i]Observe the signal/clip LEDs. If they are consistently red, decrease[/i]
[i]the levelwith the corresponding INPUT knob.[/i]
[i]NOTE: If the level is decreased all the way and the LED remains red, the level of the input from the previous device in the audio chain (mixer, click track, digital sequencer, etc.) is too high and should be decreased[/i]."

Also, have you tried BOTH left and right inputs?
The fact that your mic input works cleanly suggests the unit isn`t broken, at least that bit isn`t but you just may have got one with a fault on the line input side.
Try the level thing and get back to us here.
Good luck
Dave.

[LiamPodmore]

I know i'm a bit late, but for anyone looking at this and wondering about the DI issue above, from what i've seen the PSM200 has 2 inputs, both feed the IEM system and also direct into an output for each on the rear. That's how the specs looked to me anyway.

Liam

[Walker]

Thanks for that Dave, I've played a lot with the input gain and have tried all levels - with the LEDs well within the limits, pushing the limits and really lowering the input gain, playing with various levels on transmitter vs reciever, etc, etc.
Ive tried both inputs too, a variety of cables and connection types.
Maybe it is some sort of radio compression going on - struggling with the bass frquencies? My analogy to a noise gate is spot on - plus bass is distorted and fluttery. Not very nice to listen to at all!
Anyway, tonight I'm going to:
1. double check how things sound wired against wireless - to see if its a wireless only issue
2. try a strat' - to see if the bass frequencies are the problem
3. try some cans instead of IEM's - to make sure the IEM drivers arent struggling with the bass frequencies
4. hope that Shure tech support come back with a few things to try too!

I really don't want to send this back as most people have good experiences with them.

BTW - is the background hissing usual and acceptable when using wireless IEM's? I expected it to be crystal clear, but others have said that you always get a certain level of background hiss.

Thanks again,

Chris

[Monckyman]

Hi Chris, a bit of hiss is normal for most units in this price range.
Right.. Hmm!
Have you tried changing the frequency? Sometimes the one you`re on just isn`t happy.
Have you scanned for the best freq?
Good to try it with the wired setup, then if it all sounds fine, you know it`s the wireless aspect.
Also, and again you prob already did this, but try a new battery!
Overall, my hunch is it`s the frequency,and your transmission is being blocked by something near it in the freq range.
Good luck!

[Walker]

Great advice, thank you. Yes, a nice fresh battery

I'll also try outside the house and in other rooms in case I'm getting interference from other equipment.

I can't play my Jazz and 51RI in my living room facing a certain direction because something in there makes 'em buzz like crazy! But I would imagine that's a different type of interference alltogether.

I'll let you know how i get on.

Chris

[Walker]

Last night I tried everything discussed, including a Strat', so it's not that the IEM drivers can't handle bass. Tried different IEMs and cans too.

Wired signal was pristine (athough still a background hiss which is dissappointing for £500 bit of kit), so the wireless seems to be compressing the signal and adding the distortion. I've dropped tech support a line, but I can see these being returned. I expected more from Shure and a £500 investment - it's simple kit, can't be that hard to get it right. My Line 6 wireless is amazing.

Anyway, I'm right out of ideas, so unless tech support come back with anything, these are going back and I'll have to move up a price point or two!

Wouldnt recommend these from my experience

[Monckyman]

Hi W.
It does sound like you got a faulty unit.
Sounds more and more like a receiver problem with it introducing digital artifacts into the signal path.
I`ve had IEM sets like that before where a change of Freq would sort it out, but that`s not worked here.
I hope you manage to get a replacement sorted.
Please let us know how it turns out.
MM

[JakeBrownBass]

This doesn't sound god Walker,

As i've said, i had 4, now 3 of these units and never had what you've described.

Have you tried plugging the receiver into a separate plug from your amp, used in a different building other than your house?

Hope you get this sorted!

[Bobby K]

I never had any problems like this with my PSM 200's...

Perhaps as others have said, it's a faulty unit

[WalMan]

How are you intending to get your mix and what are you expecting to have in it?

I have been through a load of different versions ending up with one of the soundguys Aviom rack mixers in my IEM rack - when I actually bother with them at all nowadays! That gives me the luxury of having a feed to the Aviom from the stagebox and the ability to set my own mix, which is generally bass, my b vox, a smidge of the lead vox for pitching, similarly small amounts of the guitars but rather more kick, snare & hihat.

Before he got the Aviom kit I was relying on the line out from the Bass POD xT Pro I was using at the time, with the model out going to FOH, and then a foldback mix for everything else I wanted back from the desk, but it always seemed to change at each gig so was a bit of a trial & eror each time, which was a PITA.

I have now gone the other way and had a set of ACS Pro17's moulded and use those rather than the IEM most of the time.

I would suggest hiring a system in to see how you get on before shelling out wads on kit that might not achieve what you want.

EDIT: Sorry hadn't noticed this was a resurrected thread so most of the above is probably no use / far too late in the day

Edited May 7, 2012 by WalMan