Seashanty Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Hey There! What is the best way to reduce the sounds of the band whilst playing? Is there a headphone that cancels out or reduces the sounds from the band?I can't hear myself play. I mean I use a monitor behind me and that helps but the band gets so loud I can hardly hear my keys! When we gig we have a sound guy and it's not so bad but I need something for practise. Any experience with Klipsch Image X10 Audiophile Noise-Isolating Headsets?? Any suggestions greatly appreciated? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekewaka Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Tell the rest of the band that stage volume is for communicating between musicians and not to blast on the audience or hide ones' technical mistakes behind a wall of sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I have inexpensive ear plugs that Boots do here in the UK. In dollars I paid less than twenty - maybe 12 uk pounds. This version was advertised as being for musicians. They work fine for me on loud stages when it's cramped and I am close to a cymbal or guitar combo. My local Boots has an opticians and a hearing department. I just asked for advice. Have you a hearing specialist near you? They may be able to source and sell you the equivalent product where you are. I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bif_ Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Probably a waste of breath to tell the band to turn down. Low tech solution is foam ear plugs. You can get 'em for a few bucks at Walmart and they'll get you around 30 db sound reduction. I can tell you that you won't like them at first because they attenuate high frequencies pretty bad. There are also sound attenuating earplugs made for musicians that allow more natural frequency response. I have a pair and they work OK. They don't attenuate as much but do have better fidelity. You probably still won't like them until you get used to them but your ears will thank you. I have tinnitus (ringing in the ears) from too many loud bands. It sucks and can't be cured. You DON'T want this. GET SOME EAR PLUGS. Greg Kurzweil Forte, Yamaha Motif ES7, Muse Receptor 2 Pro Max, Neo Ventilator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus64 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 awwww yeah... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 awwww yeah... Not enough. Do it right. http://b3and88.com/img/cone-of-silence-00.jpg --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 +1 to the comments on get some ear plugs! Do this ASAP before your hearing suffers, then you can think about other solutions afterwards. I use these which seem to work pretty well and are cheap: http://www.etymotic.com/hp/er20.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Tell the damn guitarist to turn the heck down! Oh wait, that's foreground noise. Never mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I have an inexpensive pair of etymotics, which I use in the audience at shows that are too loud. (I think they're the same ones nickd linked to above.) I like the sound of these much better than foam. But I can't use them when playing, because I can't hear the high organ drawbars. If I was just playing piano and presets where I knew the tone was right already, they'd be fine for playing too. Consider investing $40 or so in a sound pressure level meter, which you can get at Radio Shack. No need for a fancy or expensive one. If the stage levels are over 110 dB SPL for anything but the occasional crescendo, it's seriously too loud, and you need to train your bandmates or find a new band (or get earplugs and use them religiously). Even 100 dBSPL is louder than we should go. My last two blues bands were good at keeping it below that, but the soul band just can't manage it. But we do stay well under 110 most of the time, as do the blues jams I frequent. When it gets louder than that, I leave the stage. Simple as that. The best solution is in-ear monitors using earbuds custom-fit by an audiologist. Those can block out a lot of ambient noise and with the right monitoring setup, deliver you what you need to hear. But it takes a commitment, and it's usually best when the whole band does it, and it's usually not simple (based on what I've heard, not having used them myself). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourniplus Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I use these which seem to work pretty well and are cheap: http://www.etymotic.com/hp/er20.html Thanks for the link, I just ordered a pair. (they're also available on ebay) "Show me all the blueprints. I'm serious now, show me all the blueprints." My homemade instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bif_ Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I use these which seem to work pretty well and are cheap: http://www.etymotic.com/hp/er20.html These are the ones I use. Wear 'em. Get used to 'em. Save your hearing. Greg Kurzweil Forte, Yamaha Motif ES7, Muse Receptor 2 Pro Max, Neo Ventilator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I use these which seem to work pretty well and are cheap: http://www.etymotic.com/hp/er20.html Yes - mine look just like that. Thanks for posting. @learjeff Yes - over the last few years I've really noticed an increase in the quality of sound you can get out of a PA at higher volumes - and it's still clean. When I did rock gigs in the late 80s at outdoor events (or even in a theatre) - some sound engineers would drive the PAs until they heard them distort. The stuff we've access to now - even smaller rigs - OMG the kit can go so incredibly loud without distorting. I'm actually really impressed. One of the techs at a local theatre had a very bad experience recently - very disorientated after prolonged exposure to high sound levels where he was up working. I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Those are nice plugs. I have a pretty full assortment. Using plugs often just makes folks play louder, defeating the purpose and hurting the poor folks out front even more. --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 awwww yeah... Do they do a version that isn't so transparent - totally opaque even? I could use a set for drummers that ignore all the visual cues and attempts to get them to speed up / slow down / start / stop ... you know. I mean if they're going to ignore the rest of the band anyway - we could probably gig without even having to look at them, sweating away, doing fills that use every drum they own at the end of every four bars. I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Earplugs reduce ambient volume, but that won't help him hear HIMSELF as they will reduce that as well. He needs In-Ear Monitors....block them, and pipe in what he wants. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bif_ Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Using plugs often just makes folks play louder, defeating the purpose and hurting the poor folks out front even more. It does require a change in mindset and habits. When you use earplugs you have to get used to a quieter sound.You're also forced to listen more closely. It gets easier over time and it's worth it. Greg Kurzweil Forte, Yamaha Motif ES7, Muse Receptor 2 Pro Max, Neo Ventilator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 He needs to change gigs if he is playing with a bunch of idiots. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonksDream Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Your band is too loud, period. You MUST use earplugs to save your hearing! I have tinnitus and you don't want it! You could also upgrade your amplification in a futile attempt to match their volume. However the best approach is just to stop playing when it gets so loud you can't hear yourself. If they don't notice then you can just pack your gear and go home because you're obviously superfluous. If they do notice you can have that all-important conversation about turning the f*ck down!! Instrumentation is meaningless - a song either stands on its own merit, or it requires bells and whistles to cover its lack of adequacy, much less quality. - kanker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashanty Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Wow you guys /gals rock!Lot's of great Info thanks so much! Ear monitors sound like a good option. Anyone ever try the Bose IE2?? Schure a $100 one too Bose is usually great for sound. Audiologist sounds interesting.Yeaa the band is way too loud but try telling them to turn it down...Haha...It's like sound wars on stage! Who can outdo the drums!! really? Sheesh! Thanks for listening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashanty Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Also many people use these: Klipsch IMAGE S4 In-Ear Enhanced Bass Noise-Isolating Headphones any thoughts? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashanty Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Thank you so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekewaka Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 a) get Etymotics/Hearoes (same thing) from GC for $15. b) or get real musician earplugs, custom molded, $250 molded with multiple filter support, expensive but cheaper than going to ear specialists the rest of your life. c) Seriously, tell your band members that playing loud at practice and on stage will make it hard to hear what each one is doing, resulting in a sloppy performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I refuse to work with a band that has loud stage or practice volume. If a band wants me to work with them, I will audition them at a gig before they audition me. Loud stage volume - esp from overbearing guitars - is a dealkiller. I value my ears too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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