In-ears replace the wedge pointing at the performer with a sealed mix in the ear. The stage gets quieter and the mix stops changing from room to room.
What a rig needs
- Moulded or universal earpieces per performer
- A personal mix, wired or on a wireless pack
- A monitor desk with enough sends, or a personal mixer per position
- Radio frequencies that are legal in the country you are playing
What changes on stage
Front of house gets a cleaner sound with less spill from the wedges. Performers hear click and playback that wedges could never carry. Two problems come with it: the room disappears, which is why an ambience microphone is standard, and the whole performance depends on a pack that can fail mid-song.
Practical points
Moulds are personal and cost €200 to €900 a pair. Carry spare cables, batteries and one universal set. Say in the Technical rider whether you bring a system or need the venue's.