The IEM (in ear monitors) Bible thread

[Greg Edwards69]

On 03/01/2025 at 14:59, Chienmortbb said:

Most Barefaced cabs are not FRFR. If they do not have a tweeter, they cannot be and even the one 10 with tweeter is not Flat Response. In fact most cabs with a tweeter are not Flat Response. 

Hence why I stated "some" and "marketed as FRFR" to avoid the inference that most or all of them are frfr.

https://barefacedaudio.com/collections/frfr-guitar-bass-cabs

 

I'm quite aware that true frfr is a rare thing indeed outside of audiophile circles, not to mention a highly abused term, but even so, the SuperTwin that the poster uses is relatively uncoloured and accurate compared to many other bass cabs on the market. As such, this particular cab isn’t as essential to their tone, as say an Ampeg, or Trace Elliot cab might be, for example, so he might well be able to send a signal from his GK head and get a fairly representative tone in his IEMs. Not exact, but good enough!

Edited January 4 by Greg Edwards69

[tauzero]

On 04/01/2025 at 21:22, Muppet said:

I have mine on a twin stand, X/Y formation at the front centre of the stage.

 

Ta. I've got a Zoom H2 which I want to try out as a proof of concept before splashing out.

[Mottlefeeder]

2 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Ta. I've got a Zoom H2 which I want to try out as a proof of concept before splashing out.

I have a Tascam GT-R1 recorder/bass trainer with stereo mics built in, but found it overloaded at performance sound levels.

Conversely, a cheap Tandy electret mic feeding into a budget mixer worked fine at the same volumes.

YMMV as they say.

David

 

[mcnach]

On 09/01/2025 at 21:39, Mottlefeeder said:

I have a Tascam GT-R1 recorder/bass trainer with stereo mics built in, but found it overloaded at performance sound levels.

Conversely, a cheap Tandy electret mic feeding into a budget mixer worked fine at the same volumes.

YMMV as they say.

David

 

 

The Zoom H2 works well at high volume levels, just need to set the gain accordingly. 

[acidbass]

What's the current best budget wireless option (£400-ish budget max per system?)

 

Used a Sennheiser XSW wireless IEM system on a tour in October and also for a number of smaller gigs since,

 

Quite disappointed with the quality compared to the G4 (which is around twice the price).  The XSW suffered dropouts multiple times during every show.  It seemed to be when the system was driven quite hard.  For example, when I was just playing bass, it would be fine.  But when I tried to sing in addition to playing bass (which is my job) the system would cut out momentarily for maybe half a second right in the middle of my part, which was hugely frustrating and offputting.

 

I really wanted to like the XSW system as I was planning on buying 4 for my band and keeping them rackmounted with an antenna and distributor, but sadly I will have to look at other options.

 

[EBS_freak]

33 minutes ago, acidbass said:

What's the current best budget wireless option (£400-ish budget max per system?)

 

Used a Sennheiser XSW wireless IEM system on a tour in October and also for a number of smaller gigs since,

 

Quite disappointed with the quality compared to the G4 (which is around twice the price).  The XSW suffered dropouts multiple times during every show.  It seemed to be when the system was driven quite hard.  For example, when I was just playing bass, it would be fine.  But when I tried to sing in addition to playing bass (which is my job) the system would cut out momentarily for maybe half a second right in the middle of my part, which was hugely frustrating and offputting.

 

I really wanted to like the XSW system as I was planning on buying 4 for my band and keeping them rackmounted with an antenna and distributor, but sadly I will have to look at other options.

 

Stretch a little to the Mipro MI-58RT (<2.2ms latency - digital - sounds better than any analogue system. 5.8 - so make sure they are by the performance area

XSW is dog compared to EW300 G2+ - stay away

 

[warwickhunt]

4 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

Stretch a little to the Mipro MI-58RT (<2.2ms latency - digital - sounds better than any analogue system. 5.8 - so make sure they are by the performance area

XSW is dog compared to EW300 G2+ - stay away

 

This is where I ended up after a few budget system trials (and not so budget but still not on 5.8) and I couldn't be happier.  

 

[acidbass]

Thank you @EBS_freak and @warwickhunt - will investigate

 

Curious as to how these systems would work with a traditional antenna splitter setup - I wonder does the fact that it's digital matter in this regard?  Planning to rackmount 4 x systems with an antenna splitter/combiner and a paddle antenna or two for clarity of signal.

Edited Thursday at 16:06 by acidbass

[EBS_freak]

9 minutes ago, acidbass said:

Thank you @EBS_freak and @warwickhunt - will investigate

 

Curious as to how these systems would work with a traditional antenna splitter setup - I wonder does the fact that it's digital matter in this regard?  Planning to rackmount 4 x systems with an antenna splitter/combiner and a paddle antenna or two for clarity of signal.

I dont think there is an antenna combiner for these yet. Before you spend the money - I have the full paddle setups on my Sennheisers and Shures... and even for some sizeable stage, the inbuilt  ones are good enough to the point I dont bother with the external paddles. You can always find somewhere at the back/side of the stage to put them. As long as you have line of sight, you're likely to be golden.  

Edited Thursday at 16:16 by EBS_freak

[acidbass]

48 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

I dont think there is an antenna combiner for these yet. Before you spend the money - I have the full paddle setups on my Sennheisers and Shures... and even for some sizeable stage, the inbuilt  ones are good enough to the point I dont bother with the external paddles. You can always find somewhere at the back/side of the stage to put them. As long as you have line of sight, you're likely to be golden.  

Yes I see Mipro have a front mount antenna panel, although it looks like it supports TNC only.  I can't ascertain if the digital Mipro system utililises this kind of antenna, but I'm hopeful (EDIT - just checked specs and the antenna out is TNC so all good)

 

My idea currently is:

 

4U Rack Case

4 x Mipro MI-58RT

1 x Front Antenna Mount Panel.

1 x XLR Patch Bay at front for cleanliness of cabling (to link desk AUX outs to transmitter inputs)

 

Edited Thursday at 17:04 by acidbass

[acidbass]

19 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

 

This is where I ended up after a few budget system trials (and not so budget but still not on 5.8) and I couldn't be happier.  

 

Did you A/B the XSW as part of this trial?

[warwickhunt]

3 minutes ago, acidbass said:

Yes I see Mipro have a front mount antenna panel, although it looks like it supports BNC/TNC only.  I can't ascertain if the digital Mipro system utililises this kind of antenna, but I'm hopeful.

 

My idea currently is:

 

4U Rack Case

4 x Mipro MI-58RT

1 x Front Antenna Mount Panel.

1 x XLR Patch Bay at front for cleanliness of cabling (to link desk AUX outs to transmitter inputs)

 

 

https://www.mipro.com.tw/webls-en-us/mi-58.html

 

4th related video on the site.  Unsure if it helps?

Edited Thursday at 16:25 by warwickhunt

[gazhowe]

5 hours ago, acidbass said:

What's the current best budget wireless option (£400-ish budget max per system?)

 

Used a Sennheiser XSW wireless IEM system on a tour in October and also for a number of smaller gigs since,

 

Quite disappointed with the quality compared to the G4 (which is around twice the price).  The XSW suffered dropouts multiple times during every show.  It seemed to be when the system was driven quite hard.  For example, when I was just playing bass, it would be fine.  But when I tried to sing in addition to playing bass (which is my job) the system would cut out momentarily for maybe half a second right in the middle of my part, which was hugely frustrating and offputting.

 

I really wanted to like the XSW system as I was planning on buying 4 for my band and keeping them rackmounted with an antenna and distributor, but sadly I will have to look at other options.

 

What frequency band was your XSW system? I'm asking as I have an XSW wireless and just wondering if the dropout issue could be in part due to this.  BTW I have experienced some drop outs and interference with my band E unit.

[acidbass]

3 hours ago, gazhowe said:

What frequency band was your XSW system? I'm asking as I have an XSW wireless and just wondering if the dropout issue could be in part due to this.  BTW I have experienced some drop outs and interference with my band E unit.

Unsure but I'll check. I tried multiple channels within the system to no avail. Disappointing really as I had trusted Sennheiser, I owned G3 then G4 (which I still use) but bought the XSW for a touring IEM rack system. Tried most troubleshooting without success.

[police squad]

+1 for the MiPro58. so far zero drop outs and awesome sound

[dave_bass5]

22 minutes ago, police squad said:

+1 for the MiPro58. so far zero drop outs and awesome sound

I wish Thomanns would do a 5.8 version. I have their  2.4 version of the MiPro 2.4 and not had a single issue with it, at least as far as connectivity and sound quality goes, but i know one day it might happen. 
The issue i do have is i keep knocking the volume knob on the receiver. Obviously i need to reposition the belt pack but it’s become quite annoying. 

[warwickhunt]

46 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

I wish Thomanns would do a 5.8 version. I have their  2.4 version of the MiPro 2.4 and not had a single issue with it, at least as far as connectivity and sound quality goes, but i know one day it might happen. 
The issue i do have is i keep knocking the volume knob on the receiver. Obviously i need to reposition the belt pack but it’s become quite annoying. 

 

No affiliation but I got my 5.8 from the ebay seller below.  I paid zero tax/fees on top of that BUT I may have just been lucky.

 

I also find it frustrating that the volume kn0b rotates freely/easily and it takes very little for it to turn down (never UP oddly).  

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234741820221

[EBS_freak]

I see Thomann have started stocking it now (£469) - https://www.thomann.co.uk/mipro_mi_58rt_58_ghz.htm

I believe there's no additional costs on the published figure...? (I haven't bought from Thomann in years)

Edited Friday at 09:42 by EBS_freak

[warwickhunt]

6 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

I see Thomann have started stocking it now (£469) - https://www.thomann.co.uk/mipro_mi_58rt_58_ghz.htm

I believe there's no additional costs on the published figure...? (I haven't bought from Thomann in years)

 

Considering their returns policy, even better!

[dave_bass5]

34 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

 

No affiliation but I got my 5.8 from the ebay seller below.  I paid zero tax/fees on top of that BUT I may have just been lucky.

 

I also find it frustrating that the volume kn0b rotates freely/easily and it takes very little for it to turn down (never UP oddly).  

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234741820221

Yeah, i always end up getting the volume going down and thinking there is an issue with the receiver. I guess if i had it on my right side then at least it would go up. Shame there isn’t something like a push in brake for it.
I paid just under £300 for my 2.4 version and im not i could afford £500 for peach of mind at this point. I’ve done maybe 20 gigs with it now and not had any issues. 

[Greg Edwards69]

1 hour ago, dave_bass5 said:

Obviously i need to reposition the belt pack but it’s become quite annoying. 

I keep doing the same thing with my Xivive U4 receiver - I think it catches on my shirt. I've tried wearing it in a couple of places: belt above my rear pocket as well as attached to my jeans front pocket. The latter behaves better but has scratched the back of my bass a little.

 

I just wish they made the volume knob a little stiffer... I wonder if there's anything I can do to rectify it? I remember seeing some rubber washers to fix this issue for stompboxes, but I don't think there's enough space for one on the U4.

[dave_bass5]

1 hour ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

I keep doing the same thing with my Xivive U4 receiver - I think it catches on my shirt. I've tried wearing it in a couple of places: belt above my rear pocket as well as attached to my jeans front pocket. The latter behaves better but has scratched the back of my bass a little.

 

I just wish they made the volume knob a little stiffer... I wonder if there's anything I can do to rectify it? I remember seeing some rubber washers to fix this issue for stompboxes, but I don't think there's enough space for one on the U4.

It's funny but at every gig I have this issue (to a certain extent) and never seem to look in to it between gigs. This thread has reminded me I need to, so I'll sort it out this weekend as I have no gigs. Im thinking maybe even hooking it to my belt upside down might work. 

[police squad]

4 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

I wish Thomanns would do a 5.8 version. I have their  2.4 version of the MiPro 2.4 and not had a single issue with it, at least as far as connectivity and sound quality goes, but i know one day it might happen. 
The issue i do have is i keep knocking the volume knob on the receiver. Obviously i need to reposition the belt pack but it’s become quite annoying. 

I removed the knob completely, so it's just the shaft of the pot.

This works brilliantly

[EBS_freak]

Blu tack is your friend. (turn and resqueeze)

Edited Friday at 15:10 by EBS_freak

[gazhowe]

On 16/01/2025 at 15:58, EBS_freak said:

Stretch a little to the Mipro MI-58RT (<2.2ms latency - digital - sounds better than any analogue system. 5.8 - so make sure they are by the performance area

XSW is dog compared to EW300 G2+ - stay away

 

@EBS_freak what are your thoughts on the Sennheiser G4 v Mipro MI-58, in particular sound quality and likelihood of dropouts and interference? 
 

I'm sure I read somewhere that Sennheiser will soon no longer support the G4. Unless they bring out a iem version of the EWD product there appears to be either the XSW (which I have) and their new (very expensive) iem system if buying a Sennheiser digital system.  If I decide to move on from the XSW it's probably going to be a choice between the G4 and Mipro. 

Edited Friday at 18:19 by gazhowe