How exactly does the band's IEM's work?
- Thread starter TheEdge25
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Moser
Refugee
Radio frequencies, bud!
Just a fancy in ear radio!
Just a fancy in ear radio!
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
Here's what I know, and I'm sure people will add to it or correct me if I'm wrong ...
They're used so the band can hear what they and each other are playing - the sound system itself isn't going to get you, as a musician, what you need.
I believe the in-ear monitors replace the old-style monitors that would just sit on the stage and blast the sound back at them (is that how it works/used to work on that scale? I've only ever experienced small-stage set ups myself).
I think each of the band members can have their own specific mix so they can hear what they need to hear. The Edge might need to have his own guitar louder in the mix, or maybe he doesn't need to hear Bono that much, so in The Edge's ear, Bono's voice isn't that loud.
They might also have a click track to establish the beat, and/or someone counting off beats for entrances to make sure everyone comes in at the right time and that sort of thing. On some of Bono's feeds, you can even hear a little keyboard line at the beginning of MLK to help him find his note.
They're used so the band can hear what they and each other are playing - the sound system itself isn't going to get you, as a musician, what you need.
I believe the in-ear monitors replace the old-style monitors that would just sit on the stage and blast the sound back at them (is that how it works/used to work on that scale? I've only ever experienced small-stage set ups myself).
I think each of the band members can have their own specific mix so they can hear what they need to hear. The Edge might need to have his own guitar louder in the mix, or maybe he doesn't need to hear Bono that much, so in The Edge's ear, Bono's voice isn't that loud.
They might also have a click track to establish the beat, and/or someone counting off beats for entrances to make sure everyone comes in at the right time and that sort of thing. On some of Bono's feeds, you can even hear a little keyboard line at the beginning of MLK to help him find his note.
GirlsAloudFan
Blue Crack Addict
Join the club, Edge.
theedgeu2
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
They're pretty much so the band can hear themselves during a show. It also goes a long way in protecting their hearing. Cori pretty much nailed it.
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
Okay, thanks Cori.
I was just wondering about how they are able to stay in time with each other so well, like how they are able to perfectly end the songs at the right time and stuff. I guess playing live shows for 30 years will do that to you!
But thanks for that IEM explanation, it was helpful.
I was just wondering about how they are able to stay in time with each other so well, like how they are able to perfectly end the songs at the right time and stuff. I guess playing live shows for 30 years will do that to you!
But thanks for that IEM explanation, it was helpful.
prbiker15
Blue Crack Addict
YouTube - U2 - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (Evening Rehearsal, August 2nd, Turin)
Found this - it's Bono's IEM in this video.
Found this - it's Bono's IEM in this video.
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
PhilsFan
Blue Crack Addict
Larry's most likely has a metronome of some sort, whereas the other band members might not need that.
Earnie Shavers
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
JamietheEdgefan
Refugee
Bono's laugh at 2:20, besides being fucking hilarious, is pretty cool because it shows off how damn good his falsetto can be
Zooropa man
Refugee
What I want to know is... how do people get their hands on this stuff (IEM's)???
theedgeu2
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
They have a receiver (?) that can pick up the frequencies from the IEM's, I believe. It goes something along those lines anyway.
GirlsAloudFan
Blue Crack Addict
My bad, I actually love Bono. I really do.
For lent I'm going to give up making Bono jokes on the internet.
gvox
Ghost of Love
Cori's pretty much right, 'cept monitors are still located on the stage for instances where a band member might take out their in-ears or something might go wrong.
Pfan's also pretty accurate, although even though everyone other than Larry might not need the metronome, pretty much everyone is going to want it in that large of an environment if they've got their ears sealed off with custom fitted IEMs. I haven't listened to any of the examples in this thread but many of the IEM recordings I've heard of Bono's, for instance, have a click in them. I'd almost bet Edge needs it because his delay timings have to be sync'd properly to the bpms of the track or metronome.
Getting an IEM recording is amazingly simple, really. You just need any bodypack receiver that can scan the frequencies and a simple pocket recording unit with a line in.
Pfan's also pretty accurate, although even though everyone other than Larry might not need the metronome, pretty much everyone is going to want it in that large of an environment if they've got their ears sealed off with custom fitted IEMs. I haven't listened to any of the examples in this thread but many of the IEM recordings I've heard of Bono's, for instance, have a click in them. I'd almost bet Edge needs it because his delay timings have to be sync'd properly to the bpms of the track or metronome.
Getting an IEM recording is amazingly simple, really. You just need any bodypack receiver that can scan the frequencies and a simple pocket recording unit with a line in.
popacrobat
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
yes it's all so very simple
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
From what I've heard/read from the actual tapers, it's not all that "simple." Or, maybe the concept equipment is simple, but beyond that it requires, if nothing else, a hell of a lot of patience and lucking into the perfect spot to avoid interference?
Or something like that. I'm sure many tapers who've recorded IEMs would bristle at it being called "amazing simple."
I love listening to them - they're not always the most well-rounded sound, but it's a unique perspective into the workings of a rock band.
Or something like that. I'm sure many tapers who've recorded IEMs would bristle at it being called "amazing simple."
I love listening to them - they're not always the most well-rounded sound, but it's a unique perspective into the workings of a rock band.
bonocomet
Blue Crack Distributor
Whoa that is pretty awesome and yeah Bono's Why so serious intro is insane! LMAO! Is there more of this rehearsal somewhere?
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
I think there were a few IEMs of Turin rehearsals (and the show, I think) released in the last month or so. They were on U2Torrents ... not sure if they're on U2start as well.
bonocomet
Blue Crack Distributor
Rachel D.
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I've often wondered about all of this, too. 
Very interesting.
Very interesting.
Inner El Guapo
War Child
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2004
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- 609
Click track.
Basically they all have to be in a 'perfect time' (so to speak).
If they aren't - the visuals on the screens, the delay on Edge's fiddle, and perhaps some pre-programmed sequences from Lawless (or even Edge's foot pedals) wouldn't mesh.
It has more to do with this^ than hearing themselves, IMO.
if you think they need to 'hear' Larry from that close, you've never been near a full set of pro drums being hammered on. Uh...loud is a word that comes to mind. I can see wanting to hear the actual feed though especially for Bono (I wear headphones when I sing into mics to record, always - I just like the feel of it)...the sound can be too dissipated even in smaller venues. But as I said, I believe it has more to do with sequencing the performance and the timing of the repeated delayed notes on Edge's git.
They need the IEM, among some other reasons, primarily because of theatrics.
Basically they all have to be in a 'perfect time' (so to speak).
If they aren't - the visuals on the screens, the delay on Edge's fiddle, and perhaps some pre-programmed sequences from Lawless (or even Edge's foot pedals) wouldn't mesh.
It has more to do with this^ than hearing themselves, IMO.
if you think they need to 'hear' Larry from that close, you've never been near a full set of pro drums being hammered on. Uh...loud is a word that comes to mind. I can see wanting to hear the actual feed though especially for Bono (I wear headphones when I sing into mics to record, always - I just like the feel of it)...the sound can be too dissipated even in smaller venues. But as I said, I believe it has more to do with sequencing the performance and the timing of the repeated delayed notes on Edge's git.
They need the IEM, among some other reasons, primarily because of theatrics.
Earnie Shavers
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Makes sense of course that its always Bono that gets recorded, being the whole band, but it would be interesting to hear what Edge and Adam have.
blueeyedgirl
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Galeongirl
Galeonbroad
The problem with taping IEM's is that you have to get the right frequency. Plus you have to stand in a place with good reception, without too much interference(hah). That's why in some IEM recordings you hear fuzz or sometimes part of a song is gone.
For standard additions to their monitors, Edge usually has a rhythm guitar added to some songs, or piano, plus he has Bono a little higher in the mix. Adam has drums louder in the mix, Larry a metronome(though you rarely find Adam/Larry IEM's, it's mostly Bono/Edge's these days). Bono has piano bits in a lot of songs(Mysterious Ways, Crazy Tonight, With or Without you come to mind) plus also additional guitar parts sometimes. They all have the count ins, which count start of a song, when the bass/guitar/drums come in, verse and chorus and endings.
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
There are a few Edge IEMs floating around out there. there's one from the Rose Bowl from Edge's feed, I think.
The only Adam IEM I've heard was not a great recording, so it wasn't really listenable. Alas.
bonocomet
Blue Crack Distributor
Isn't the Rose Bowl matrix we have from Edge's IEM?
bonocomet
Blue Crack Distributor
Oh cori you must have posted while I typed.
