[geoff]

On 28/04/2021 2:06 am, Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/27/2021 1:23 AM, wrote:
I frequently see performances where the performer is obviously having
an issue with their earpieces, as Kelly Clarkson does here, eventually
pulling them out completely. I assume these are high-quality earpieces
and the levels are adjusted in rehearsal by people who know what
they're doing, why are they so frequently still a problem for the
performer?

It's all about getting a good in-ear mix. With bands that are well
rehearsed and have a dedicated in-ear monitor mixer (person and
equipment), it works pretty well most of the time. But with shows where
a singer, even a famous one with a regular crew, does one song, there
often isn't time to get the system set up like it usually is. And in-ear
mixes aren't a "get it right once and set it like that all the time"
thing. It depends on the venue and the program. For example, with
something like the Grammys, the in-ear mix is rarely the artist's
working band, and often it includes pre-recorded portions of the music
that are different from what the singer usually hears.

As far as hearing "the room" - the people who do it right put up a few
mics for ambience and mix that in with the dry monitor signal. Some
in-ear systems are now including microphones to give the wearer an
individual "right where your head is" ambience.

In-ear monitoring is far more complex than wedges, but the advantages
are worth while if it's done right and everyone cooperates. But it can
easily fall to pieces.

However even at best it is the music performance equivalent of wearing a
condom.

geoff