IEM with Ambient Microphone Only

[Joe Smithberger]

Bass amp.

I can run a line into the mixer to send to my aux, but I don't always. For the last two gigs, I monitored the bass with everything else through the mic and only vocals in the aux send (from the digital mixer also on the rack at my feet).

 

[Nephilymbass]

I just did this last week at rehearsal. Problem was cymbals drowned out everything. We are still tweaking and will try different mic position. Ran out of time last week. Good luck.

We're in the studio, For pre production we used headphones and a simple ambient mic setup. But we used a expensive mic, a shure 81 on a stand about a foot above from the floor. That mic picks up everything and getting a decent mix is All about where you put it. Having it low to the floor lowered the levels of the cymbals, increased the level of the kick drum and picked up the amps nicely.

 

[bucephylus]

Our band is still going up the learning curve with IEM's. But, I think the OP has a fascinating idea here, in some respects. What I would love to try for live performance is to have the house sound from a house ambient mic in one ear and a mix I could set with stuff I need emphasized in the other ear. That could be very interesting.

 

[s0c9]

Our band is still going up the learning curve with IEM's. But, I think the OP has a fascinating idea here, in some respects. What I would love to try for live performance is to have the house sound from a house ambient mic in one ear and a mix I could set with stuff I need emphasized in the other ear. That could be very interesting.

I know folks do it, but that would scramble my brain!

 

[bucephylus]

I know folks do it, but that would scramble my brain!

Amen. Our band is not nearly ready for that yet. Still, I like the concept.

 

[s0c9]

Amen. Our band is not nearly ready for that yet. Still, I like the concept.

I think the challenge might be the conflicting mixes in one's head... as our brains tend to [try to] make sense (order?) out of the chaos that often surrounds us.. hence optical illusions, etc.
Your brain WILL try to balance out the 2 feeds...
I usually balance my stereo IEM mix with instruments [generally] positioned in the mix relative to my stage position but not always. I seldom put toms or cymbals in the mix as I can their ambience thru my IEM's, due to the low volume levels I run.
Any ambient mic feed would be centered in the mix and not panned hard L or R.
Each to their own, but I think that getting ambience in one ear and a second mix in the other would give me a massive headache before too long.
YMMV

 

[bucephylus]

I think the challenge might be the conflicting mixes in one's head... as our brains tend to [try to] make sense (order?) out of the chaos that often surrounds us.. hence optical illusions, etc.
Your brain WILL try to balance out the 2 feeds...
I usually balance my stereo IEM mix with instruments [generally] positioned in the mix relative to my stage position but not always. I seldom put toms or cymbals in the mix as I can their ambience thru my IEM's, due to the low volume levels I run.
Any ambient mic feed would be centered in the mix and not panned hard L or R.
Each to their own, but I think that getting ambience in one ear and a second mix in the other would give me a massive headache before too long.
YMMV

Thanks. That could be. I'm trying to sort out hearing a mix with the elements I need vs not feeling very rock n roll about the what I am hearing. As I said, still early in the learning curve.

 

[s0c9]

Thanks. That could be. I'm trying to sort out hearing a mix with the elements I need vs not feeling very rock n roll about the what I am hearing. As I said, still early in the learning curve.

Let us know how it goes.. been down that path myself... lots of IEM threads on here with useful info..

 

[walterw]

see, now i'm imagining that mic connected to a stereo wireless pack of some sort and hung on you, like on your shirt or something.

"Here" bionic ears

little self-contained earphones with mics right on them!

Having a couple of miniature mics mounted on each side of your head would give more of a true binaural sound, but to be honest I don't think you want the sound changing as you move around.

so it turns out the big boys have already cracked this particular walnut, in just this way:
sensaphonics 3D active ambient

big bux, but the pros are going to these.