Custom IEMs

What Are Custom In-Ear Monitors?

In-ear monitors (IEMs) are devices used by musicians, audio engineers and audiophiles to listen to music or to hear a custom crafted mix of vocals and stage instrumentation for live performance or recording studio mixing. They are often custom fitted for an individual's ears and provide a high level of noise reduction from ambient surroundings.

e.g. (left to right) Starkey SA-43; JHA JH16; Rooth LS8; Earsonics EM3 Pro; stock cables on top

Monitoring System
A monitoring system is any system that provides a mix of audio sources to a performer on stage. Traditionally, monitors were loudspeakers placed on stage directed toward the performer (often called floor monitors or wedges). Depending on the sophistication of the audio system, there may be any number of monitor speakers on the stage, and any number of different mixes sent to the different monitors (for separate performers). While these monitors are still used today as the default in most venues for artists without their own in-ear monitor system, there are disadvantages to this system. Loud instruments, such as drums, require the floor monitors to be even louder than the other stage monitors to be heard. These competing stage monitors can decrease the clarity of the audio and affect the performer's hearing. A performer must also remain in front of their own monitor(s) in order to hear their performance. If they move to the location typically occupied by other performers, they will be hearing that person's mix, which may not be ideal. Moving away from monitors entirely leaves the performer monitorless. Too few monitors or monitor channels may require performers to share and neither may achieve an ideal mix.

In-ear monitors are professional audio headphones which fit into the ear and are commonly optimized to suit the needs of performers and serious audiophiles. The in-ear monitors themselves are the last stage of the signal path in the system. The IEMs are often custom molded by an audiologist and therefore are more comfortable to wear and allow the sound to be sent directly into the user’s ear canal. They also provide a better seal, though it is only able to isolate ambient noise, thus resulting in a lower level of ambient noise heard. Depending on the quality of the fit and length of the canal portion of the earpiece, a custom fit in-ear monitor will generally provide somewhere between 25 and 34 Decibels of noise reduction. Custom in-ear monitors come in a variety of colors but usually are clear or a color that closely matches the skin color of the performer. Some manufacturers can also place custom artwork directly on to the custom in-ear monitors. The IEM cable plugs into the receiver pack via a 3.5 mm stereo jack clipped onto the belt, guitar strap, clothing of the performer, or placed in a pocket. Non-custom IEMs are also available and include a variety of universal foam and silicone tips that will fit into most people's ears.