In Ear Monitor Suggestions

[Hopeless and Reckless]

I am looking for some noise-canceling in ear monitors for tracking drums. Overdubbing drum parts of instrument tracks just destroys my hearing since I have to jack-up the headphone volume. I figured that noise-canceling headphones will cut out a chunk of the drums and allow me to hear the headphone mix easier. I am not looking to break the bank but I have heard some bad stuff about the Shure E2s. Does anyone have a recommendation on an affordable but functional solution?

[EGS]

I like these.

[Naagzh]

I am looking for some noise-canceling in ear monitors for tracking drums. Overdubbing drum parts of instrument tracks just destroys my hearing since I have to jack-up the headphone volume. I figured that noise-canceling headphones will cut out a chunk of the drums and allow me to hear the headphone mix easier. I am not looking to break the bank but I have heard some bad stuff about the Shure E2s. Does anyone have a recommendation on an affordable but functional solution?

Yep, the E2s are a joke. The E4s, however, are quite nice.

[therecordinghouse]

why do you think E2's are a joke? i have a pair and they work very nicely for tracking drums. the foam sleeve seals really well in my ears and i can hear every detail of the cue mix... if you want to talk about a joke, lets talk about "noise cancelling" earphones...

keep in mind, especially when tracking drums, you not only want to keep your live instrument from bleeding past and overpowering your cue mix, but you also want to keep your cue from bleeding into your drum mics. ie, click. in ears do this nicely, as the cue mix does not have to be near as loud.


"noise cancelling" will do nothing for keeping the click out of your drum mics...

[Naagzh]

Ahh, maybe I overreacted. I'm sure the E2s are fine for tracking drums, and way better than noise cancelling headphones at cutting down the click bleed. But when I bought them, what I heard was a lack of high-end definition, and a severe absence of low-end. I was disappointed that I had wasted time and money. Granted, I wanted IEMs for live and studio use, so it made sense for me to be picky.

But the OP will probably want to use them for other things eventually.

I wonder how the IEMs from Bose and others that they sell at the Apple Store compare.

[therecordinghouse]

i do agree with you about the low end. you really have to get a good seal on the e2's for there to be any. if they are just sitting in your ear, you will be disappointed. when mine are seated correctly with a fresh set of foam sleeves, they do really well. however, once the foam loses is rigidness, you lose some bass response..

[Naagzh]

i do agree with you about the low end. you really have to get a good seal on the e2's for there to be any. if they are just sitting in your ear, you will be disappointed. when mine are seated correctly with a fresh set of foam sleeves, they do really well. however, once the foam loses is rigidness, you lose some bass response..

Probably, but I never tried the foam, I went straight for the little grey things.

Eventually, I went for the custom molded UE-7 Pro from Ultimate Ears. And now that I'm destitute, I'm happy.

[Avid]

Not in ear monitors, but you might want to consider these headphones. I haven't used them personally, but the UltraPhones claim to have the highest level of noise isolation:
www.gk-music.com

...or the less expensive Superphones from the same company:
http://www.gk-music.com/superphones.htm

I do have a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones, which are great for plane trips, but I think you would be losing something from the actual sound with any noise cancelling solution. I might be wrong, but certainly true of the Bose...sounds OK, but "different" than when the NC is turned off.