In-ear monitors and in-ear monitor systems are frequently used by musicians and worship teams around the world. They provide a way of monitoring, as well as provide an environment of great isolation from outside noise.
Try to keep in mind what it will look like to set up these systems every week…
The systems can range anywhere from those able to mix your ears from an app, to an independent monitor console. Choosing the right system can be difficult and depends on the environment you're in.
Personal Mixers
I see quite a few churches with these and they are great. An example of brands that produce quality units would be Aviom or the Behringer powerplay system. They provide each musician the opportunity to mix their own ears and are relatively cheap, compared to wireless systems.
Most of the newer systems allow people to download an app and make changes to their mix from a phone, and they often integrate really well with your FOH console. Such units, however, are often limited to how many input channels the system can take, depending on which system you choose and can be a bit cumbersome, when it comes to set up and tear down.
Wireless systems
These are similar to something you would see on a large tour.
Much like wireless microphones, they have a transmitter and receiver. In the case of wireless in-ear systems, the transmitter generally goes in the rack and the body pack is the receiver.
These systems are generally more expensive than personal mixers, but do provide a cleaner look on stage. In addition, they make it easier when it comes to set up and tear down.
Most of the time, if you are running wireless in-ears, you're controlling them from a monitor console or a FOH console. The auxes of your console feed are connected directly to the inputs in the rack.
If these are something you're considering, please understand that there are some things that you need to be aware of. First, be aware of the radio frequency allocation you have available in your area. RF allocation can be an art form, so don't be afraid to have someone come in and give you a rundown of what is available in your area.
Sometimes being a good leader is in knowing when to ask for help.
Second is to be aware - if purchasing multiple units - of antenna distribution. Many manufacturers have antenna distribution units available, but it will add to the overall cost.
Hybrid Systems
I have seen some churches do a blend of these two systems. What I have seen is the personal monitors feed into a wireless unit, but the mixes are still controlled by the musicians themselves, via a phone. These get the best of both worlds by providing flexibility, as well as providing instant feedback and freedom by allowing the musician to have control of their mix.
The Ear Buds
No matter what system you select, the ear buds you pair with that system can be just as, if not more, important than the entire system itself.
The world of IEMs is broad and constantly evolving.
Generally speaking, there are two types of IEMs, universal fit and custom fit. Universal fit IEMs can be great, if you're providing them for your entire team. Something similar to the Shure SE 215s would be ideal. They sound decent and are relatively inexpensive, considering all the other options.
Most of the universal fit IEMs will have a wide variety of foams that can fit almost any ear and provide a great sense of isolation from outside noise.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can opt for custom IEMs. These are what you see major artists wear most of the time. These IEMs are custom fit to your ear by replicating a mold that you get made from an audiologist. These often have a wide variety of driver configurations and custom colors and logos. Custom IEMs will get you the most isolation as well as sound the best compared to universal models. Customs are considerably more expensive and the wait time can be anywhere between 2-8 weeks.
Choosing the right system can be difficult and time consuming. It's helpful to know your budget and what constraints it will put on your team before going after an in-ear system.
Try to keep in mind what it will look like to set up these systems every week and what is going to work best in your environment.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to ask for a demo.
At Granger Community Church, we spent time with many of the manufacturers and dealers, before deciding what was right for us. There is no cookie cutter method for choosing gear and choosing something that supports the vision of your church to what we are called to do.