In-Ear-Monitors for Musicians

Ever wonder what those odd things are in the ears of Musicians? Those are in-ear monitors. They are usually custom-made speakers worn by musicians and performers for theater, concerts and other various professions.
An in-ear monitor works just like an earphone or the ear buds you use with your I-pod. Except the musician is able to listen to multiple sources of sound such as from the stage, the band, stage cues, or whatever else the musician needs to hear.

On stage, it is very difficult to hear what is coming out of the main speakers that project sound to the audience. This is because the performing musicians are typically behind them. Also, the stage speakers’ volume is usually very loud.
Singers, performers, and even stage crew people need to be able to hear specific feeds of sound in order to sing, play or function appropriately on the stage.

Stage speakers (more commonly known as ‘floor wedges’) have a tendency to make a screeching sound whenever the microphone and floor wedges are positioned too close to each other. The sound from the floor wedge is amplified repeatedly through the microphone and has what is known as an ‘infinite loop’ or ‘feedback’. When in-ear monitors are used properly, feedback usually does not happen.

In-ear monitors are used with a belt pack which is usually wireless. This prevents people from tripping over cords, and affords ultimate mobility when performers want to move around or even body surf.