Monitors for Singing Drummers

[jmcohen]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am finally getting back in the saddle and am playing with a trio I hope will actually perform in front of a live audience. We’re doing 60’s tunes exclusively.

For a change, I am singing many background parts. So far, I am having a hard time hearing myself in our floor monitors. I tried setting a monitor on it’s side on top of another cabinet, but it’s still about 8 feet from me, and was only a marginal improvement. I would love to have some in-ear monitors, but those are danged expensive!

Does anyone have experience with any unique setups that improved their ability to hear themselves sing while playing THE BEST INSTRUMENT ON STAGE?

[airborneSFC]

I used an audio technicia setup that was about $1200 at the time for one transmitter and two receivers / body packs.

[jmcohen]

Airborne,
I would have to classify that as Danged Expensive!

Glad you got something that works for you, though.

Josh

[thejohnlec]

I use a small format 4-channel mixer. You can probably find several models for under $100 (I use a Yamaha). I plug the monitor feed into a channel on the mixer and use a pair of single driver Shure in ear buds. You can use any type of standard ear buds that plug directly into the headphone jack of the mixer. Bonus: you can set up an overhead mic on your kit and plug it into one of the other channels and get some drums in your mix if you're not micing your kit live. I take it to every gig - sets up in minutes and is very effective!

[frantic freddie]

I just bought my second one:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-...onitor-speaker

I usually have a (powered) floor monitor, but this is so much smaller & lighter for smaller gigs. the trick to using them is ignore the LINE IN & use the MIC input as the line in.

[vibes]

I always carry my own little personal powered monitor with me to gigs. A Galaxy Audio Core PA5X140. It accepts 1/4 inch and XLR inputs. Volume, High, Mid, and Low EQ knobs. Line out phono and 1/4 speaker out on the back. It is small, powerful, and Loud. Great sound quality. I can always find a source out from the mixing board to plug into it. Be it a mono out, monitor out, aux out, or even headphone out. Has served me well,for over 20 years. I know it is tough sometimes when you are behind the mains and the sound guy or band member running the sound can't get your volume correct. I just set it on my little trap case by my hi hat and can control my own volume. Have never turned it up past 9 o'clock. This way I don't feel isolated from everything with phones or earbuds. Here is a pic you can see it. I think I paid $350 for it new, but it has been worth every cent over the years.

[jmcohen]

All great info, fellas. Thanks a bunch. Gonna look for a small powered monitor tomorrow with inputs and outputs to match the mixer out and earbuds. I like the idea of adding an overhead mic to put my drums through the monitor! Maybe mic my bass. As I recall back in the day, that helped my tempo and reduced my tendency to overplay.

[idrum4fun]

When I was in my rock band, I purchased a TOA SM-68 non-powered monitor. It came with a bracket so I could mount it on a mic stand just to my left. It was great for hearing our vocals! I then became aware of the SM-25m, which was a powered monitor. Always wanted to try it, but was happy with the non-powered SM-68.

-Mark

[jmcohen]

Cool. Thanks, Mark.

[frantic freddie]

Originally Posted by jmcohen

All great info, fellas. Thanks a bunch. Gonna look for a small powered monitor tomorrow with inputs and outputs to match the mixer out and earbuds. I like the idea of adding an overhead mic to put my drums through the monitor! Maybe mic my bass. As I recall back in the day, that helped my tempo and reduced my tendency to overplay.

I can see you having feedback problems with that setup. Also, most small powered monitors can't handle the low frequencies of the bass drum so you might not be able to hear it.