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If you’ve seen live performances of various musicians, you’ve probably seen a device attached to their ears. Many call them earpieces, but you can also refer to them as IEMs (in-ear monitors).
There are many types of in ears for singers. Some of them are affordable, while some are more expensive but with superb quality.
Various musicians wear different types depending on their budget and needs. For instance, they need one with a higher frequency range or perhaps one with better drivers.
You might be wondering why musicians are wearing such devices. Fashion statements aren’t the only reason to wear them.
In this article, we’ll cover why musicians wear earpieces and why they take them out.
Why Musicians Wear Earpieces
The main reason musicians wear earpieces is that when doing live performances, everything can be loud. Band members, especially the singers, will have a challenging time hearing the music the band makes.
Singers will also be able to listen to the exact sound they want to hear. If they don’t hear their voice, it could affect the performance, resulting in shouting or being out of tune.
Here are other interesting reasons musicians wear earpieces:
1. Protect their hearing
The audience can scream during live performances, other members play loudly, and when close to the speakers, the sound can be thunderous. If their ears are exposed to loud noises, it could damage their hearing in just a short time.
They may not see the result immediately because the issues related to hearing come after some time.
Using earpieces or IEMs allow musicians to monitor their onstage performances at a lower level.
However, remember that these devices can cause hearing damage if misused. So it is best to learn how to use them properly.
2. Using Metronome
One particular trick musicians use, especially drummers, is to use a metronome on stage. It is a beeping or clicking sound that assists musicians in being in time and rhythm.
Many people have been using the metronome in performances and their practice sessions, as this keeps everyone in sync. This will avoid producing extremely amateur sound.
Many people might think that amateurs are the only people using this, but professionals have used the metronome for a long time for their practice and performances.
3. Improved monitoring
Using earpieces or IEMs onstage allows the musicians to get a better sound mix. It can be personalized according to the members’ needs.
For example, if a drummer wants to hear more bass while the guitarists want a clearer treble, the sound engineer can tweak the settings. The sound engineer’s duty is to adjust the sounds to create a personalized mix.
IEMs are also perfect for singers who jump along with the crowd or perhaps run around the stage during live performances.
Why Musicians Take Out Their Earpiece
If you’ve noticed performers wearing earpieces, you’d probably have seen them removing the devices during their performances. There are good reasons for that, and here are the most common ones:
1. To hear the crowd better
Earpieces or IEMs are the same as wearing stronger earplugs in your ears. You’ll be able to block the outside noise, allowing you to hear the sound you want. This will avoid hearing damage and chronic ear-ringing for musicians.
Although there are some remedies when your ears are ringing, the live performance will be interrupted.
However, the major disadvantage of continuously wearing earpieces during live performances is the loss of vibe. Musicians sometimes remove them to feel the vibe and enjoy the moment.
Playing music and performing for the crowd are two different things. Wearing earpieces can take a great feeling away. So, musicians remove them, becoming closer to the audience and bringing back the vibe.
2. To create a mix
Some DJs and less-experienced musicians also use IEMs. Doing this allows them to concentrate on the sound they want to hear.
However, they also take them out to set and mix the sound level on their speakers. As soon as they were satisfied with the mix, they would put them back in.
You can think of it as a necessity. To get the levels they need, they take off their earpieces for a few seconds to set everything in place.
Sum Up
Wearing earpieces indeed gives musicians plenty of advantages. They can hear the sound they need, creating more dynamic music for the audience. It also allows musicians to be in sync, resulting in a professional level of performance.
However, performers need to take them from time to time to communicate with their audience more and not kill the vibe.
IEMs or earpieces are no longer for professionals only. There are earpieces for every musician, professional and amateur, rich and on a budget.
If you are planning to play in a crowd, getting earpieces for each band member is a great way to keep your performance professional.
