Any guitarists using in-ear monitors?

[KellyBass]

I guess they're okay. I can see where they would offer many advantages.

Maybe it's just me, but when I look back to all the concerts I've seen in the last few years, the ones that sucked the most (musical-dynamics wise) were the ones where the whole band was wearing ear buds. I never wore them in my hardcore playing days (what?) so I can't say whether these are the problem or not. Do they give you a sense of isolation?...from the other band members?

[RCGPNY1]

One thing I noticed on TV. When otherwise good singers are not used to in-ears, the tend to sing sharp. I've noticed this on "the Voice", America's got talent etc. It must have something to do with a subtle doppler effect. Ever use in ear phones and as you remove them you hear the pitch change?

[vibratoking]

One thing I noticed on TV. When otherwise good singers are not used to in-ears, the tend to sing sharp. I've noticed this on "the Voice", America's got talent etc. It must have something to do with a subtle doppler effect. Ever use in ear phones and as you remove them you hear the pitch change?

Never noticed that. What Doppler effect are you referring to?

[RCGPNY1]

Never noticed that. What Doppler effect are you referring to?

Maybe I'm wrong in calling it a Doppler effect...but in ears make people think the music is sharper than it is.... I have perfect pitch so I am very sensitive to it.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Never noticed that. What Doppler effect are you referring to?

Maybe I'm wrong in calling it a Doppler effect...but in ears make people think the music is sharper than it is.... I have perfect pitch so I am very sensitive to it.

Something's got to be moving, or even "apparently" moving, to get a Doppler effect. BUT I've noticed some sing way sharp OR way flat with headphones on. I call it the "Alfalfa Effect." (And I'm the worst!) Some artists avoid headphones as much as possible - hard to do in studio recording but not so hard when doing say radio appearances.

[vibratoking]

OK, cause I can't think of any plausible Doppler effect. I find I can sing in much much better pitch with ears. And without having to strain like I usually do without ears, but with stage monitors that aren't quite loud enough. SO, the caveat is that the mix has to be correct. I can understand having pitch problems if voice is mixed too far over or under the instruments in the ears.

[xtian]

I've noticed that low pitches appear to change frequency with increasing volume. Anyone know the name for this psychoacoustic phenomenon?


Interesting article, with audio samples to evaluate this effect with your own ears:

http://www.fonema.se/pilo/pilo.html

[vibratoking]

Thanks, Xtian. It was a good day today...I learned something new. I was not aware of the pitch shift with volume effect. I am disappointed that I never noticed this on my own without someone having to tell me. Apparently I'm a 60 to 80 cent guy at 30dB delta. I guess this lines up with my theory about mixing the vocal above or below the music.

[RCGPNY1]

OK the only way I can think of a doppler style effect is: When people sing with in-ear monitors, they can still sort of hear themselves resonating thru their head. This signal being slowed down to the ears relative to whats comming out of the phones....can sound slightly flat to the singer...hence the overpitch...( I know it's a stretch but think about it)