I am going to start a couple threads

[TBurst Std]

I am going to post a couple threads that ran long on another forum and I am curious if people here would be interested. They have to deal with:

the use of modelers (or at least amps in ISO boxes off stage)
the use of IEMs

This all relates to playing live.

Any desire for those conversations? It is instructive in nature, but is heavily based upon playing live.

 

[rockandroller]

I've been gigging with modelers, IEMs, full digital drum kit, digital mixer since about 2003. All the mixes preset for each song, when I change patches on my foot controller the midi patch changes the whole band including monitoring and FOH. I subscribe to the one patch per song method, and my own guitar patch generally has a lead and rhythm preset. It's real convenient and everyone likes the predictable pre programmed monitor mixes
See no reason to stop now!

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I've been gigging with modelers, IEMs, full digital drum kit, digital mixer since about 2003. All the mixes preset for each song, when I change patches on my foot controller the midi patch changes the whole band including monitoring and FOH. I subscribe to the one patch per song method, and my own guitar patch generally has a lead and rhythm preset. It's real convenient and everyone likes the predictable pre programmed monitor mixes
See no reason to stop now!

Similarly

 

[supertruper1988]

I have played live with a Line 6 Helix since 2017 and IEMs I am 100% a fan.

If you already have an amp in an iso box/cab/room then the difference in "feel" is minimal.

If you are new to all of this, then you really need to remember that the sound from a modeler is the sound through a mic *not* the sound of an amp on a stage. It does not feel the same and definitely doesnt sound the same.

I recommend practicing through the same IEMs that you will be using to perform with for a while. This will help the transition and help you actually dial in sounds.

Another thing that took me a long time to figure out with modelers, I have to treat it like an amp in that I use the same speaker cab model regardless of the amp I choose. It is very jarring for my brain to go from Vox cleans with 10" speakers to a marshal with a 4x12 for crunch/leads. I setup a speaker block that is a constant in all of my patches and then select amp models from there. Even if I was in a to 40 cover band, I still would do this because playing the part with a comfortable tone >>>>>> playing with the "correct" tone. The audience doesnt care and will notice me fumbling because I cant feel it 10x faster than they will notice that I played that U2 song through a Dumble amp model into a 4x12 speaker model.

 

[TBurst Std]

I see I am not alone. You all already know the advantages, what I am suggesting are threads where people who don’t or have have questions and get real advice for what works on stage.

 

[Don O]

I bought into the Fender Tone Master Pro modeler when it first came out. A very simple and intuitive user interface. Like other high end modelers it has a tremendous number of effects, amps, cabinets and sounds. They have had quite a few firmware updates since then adding great features, more pedals and amps, etc. The “scenes” feature is just outstanding! I’ve played it out a few times now and it is so simple to use once you have created your patches.

I also bought IEM but have not used them yet.

 

[TBurst Std]

But would you all like a couple threads on these topics? Would probably add a 3rd of FRFR

 

[ghostrider]

I have played live with a Line 6 Helix since 2017 and IEMs I am 100% a fan.

If you already have an amp in an iso box/cab/room then the difference in "feel" is minimal.

If you are new to all of this, then you really need to remember that the sound from a modeler is the sound through a mic *not* the sound of an amp on a stage. It does not feel the same and definitely doesnt sound the same.

I recommend practicing through the same IEMs that you will be using to perform with for a while. This will help the transition and help you actually dial in sounds.

Another thing that took me a long time to figure out with modelers, I have to treat it like an amp in that I use the same speaker cab model regardless of the amp I choose. It is very jarring for my brain to go from Vox cleans with 10" speakers to a marshal with a 4x12 for crunch/leads. I setup a speaker block that is a constant in all of my patches and then select amp models from there. Even if I was in a to 40 cover band, I still would do this because playing the part with a comfortable tone >>>>>> playing with the "correct" tone. The audience doesnt care and will notice me fumbling because I cant feel it 10x faster than they will notice that I played that U2 song through a Dumble amp model into a 4x12 speaker model.

I’ve been using a Helix and IEMs full time since 2017 as well. I definitely wouldn’t go back to lugging a heavy amp and hoping it gets mic’d the same way every time. No thank you.

I created a template patch that I use to base all of my patches. It has a versatile set of sounds that I’m 100% comfortable with and I do that for the same reason as you, comfort. And, frankly, it sounds like “me”.

 

[rockandroller]

...e. Even if I was in a to 40 cover band, I still would do this because playing the part with a comfortable tone >>>>>> playing with the "correct" tone. The audience doesnt care and will notice me fumbling because I cant feel it 10x faster than they will notice that I played that U2 song through a Dumble amp model into a 4x12 speaker model.

Nailed it, yep!

 

[mayfly]

I'm interested in the IEM discussion. We're currently getting into this, and I'm going through a pile of earbuds that I'm discarding like crazy (Turns out that the internet does not know what it's taking about - who knew??)

Any thoughts about the actual In ear portion of the IEMs?

 

[rockandroller]

If you gig more than once a month (and live close to an audiologist) I think its worth biting the bullet and gettting professional custom ear molds made. And I have never had "earth-shaking' performance difference due to buying expensive multi-driver units.

In the long term comfort and a really good seal are the things I look for... The Shure soft rubber eartips actually fit me really well so I never got around to custom earbuds. I can recommend Westone and shure, both fit nicely and have good detachable cables (Important!) - but I see the Westone are getting crazy expensive compared to a dozen years ago, don't think its really worth $800 for a set. The last in-ears I bought on a whim a couple years back were inexpensive "KZ" brand which had really nice cables as I recall (lost them soon after purchase...)

 

[supertruper1988]

I created a template patch that I use to base all of my patches. It has a versatile set of sounds that I’m 100% comfortable with and I do that for the same reason as you, comfort. And, frankly, it sounds like “me”.

I am on my 3.0 version of that exact same thing. I use a template for all my songs and will add different effects as needed using the snapshots to get 8 sounds with all of my stomps arranged to quickly access things. I do one song per preset so I set the tempo for the song and edit the snapshots as needed to get certain parts in there. Its so nice to then just re order my patches to match the set list and away I go.

 

[supertruper1988]

I'm interested in the IEM discussion. We're currently getting into this, and I'm going through a pile of earbuds that I'm discarding like crazy (Turns out that the internet does not know what it's taking about - who knew??)

Any thoughts about the actual In ear portion of the IEMs?

I have a set of some of the Fender IEMs from the late 2010's I did a bunch of listening tests because I had access to hear all the models and got some multi driver ones that work well. I also got some for my wife who sings and hers have more treble drivers than mine because she likes the clarity for vocals while too much high end is a no go for me.

 

[Spud]

 

[AleForce1]

Saw the Mansquatch "mount" the stage in Iowa City a few months ago. His tone is "real and it's spectacular".

 

[Bruce Campbell]

I'm interested in the IEM discussion; I got custom molds for my Shure SE215s, which have been nice when I use them (also use GK Ultraphones a lot), but I haven't yet used them with a setup including receivers/transmitters/etc. that I've had to put together or maintain, so details on that would be helpful for when I take the plunge. Mostly wary of additional latency at this point.

 

[ghostrider]

I'm interested in the IEM discussion. We're currently getting into this, and I'm going through a pile of earbuds that I'm discarding like crazy (Turns out that the internet does not know what it's taking about - who knew??)

Any thoughts about the actual In ear portion of the IEMs?

I know custom molded IEMs are pricey, but they are absolutely worth it if you plan to use them at least semi-regularly.

• They sound so much better
• They provide much better isolation/hearing protection
• They are way more durable
• They are way more comfortable
• Oh yeah, and they sound so much better. Not sure if I mentioned that?

I use Ultimate Ears UE7 Pros and love 'em.

 

[TBurst Std]

I'm interested in the IEM discussion. We're currently getting into this, and I'm going through a pile of earbuds that I'm discarding like crazy (Turns out that the internet does not know what it's taking about - who knew??)

Any thoughts about the actual In ear portion of the IEMs?

Do not skimp. Get custom molds. More drivers the better. I have Jerry Harvey Laylas. Pricey but awesome! Before those I had Jerry Harvey Pro16s. (Jerry Harvey was local to me and did the free fitting so I didn't have to cover the audiologist part, but that is minor in pricing).

 

[stratamania]

Why not just rename this thread, " Modellers - ISO boxes and In Ears for Live Use" and have it moved to the Amps and Pedals sub forum.

 

[mayfly]

We just had our first full band rehearsal with IEMs last night. Despite a hiccup or two (the violinist forgot to bring her pickup) it sounded really really good - very clear. You could hear what everyone was doing very well. And the best part was we could TURN DOWN! It was not loud at all.
My only worry is that I won't be able to hear the audience that well - I'm an 'engage the audience' kind of guy. Our first gig with IEMs is in October - we'll see how it goes.