Steve,

Welcome to the community!

Maybe you can run at a lower volume. Put on some music & walk the room to see what the volume in the room is. With a line array you can typically run a lot lower volume that with a standard system & be just as loud in the room.

Tom

I use a custom version of these. You want something with a filter, not simply a chunk of foam in your ear.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx

WSS,
Above is the link to get the best Musicians earplugs available, they are expensive, but what is your hearing worth?

I agree with Tom maybe you need to evaluate the level your playing at, but if its any kind of modern electronic instrument, my guess is you are over the safe level.

The 15db filters will give you detailed sound just lower in volume. The 25db filters are not as flat and muffle the sound a bit. Unless you're a drummer or in a heavy rock set up I'd go with the 15db filters.

quote:

Hi Tom.
Nah my volume's OK.

Steve,

Don't be so quick to dismiss.

I don't like earplugs. If it's too loud for me, then it's too loud for the audience - especially those with tinnitus or even hearing aids.

If you must use earplugs I'd trust Alan with any suggestion he makes.

Tom

One thing that I have thought of is to use only one of these to be able to hear my voice better. Sometimes when I need to get loud, or there is a lot of background noise and I don't want to get too loud for a venue, I have a tough time hearing my voice.

I had seen somewhere else in the forum that if you block one ear, you will be able to hear your own voice better.

I had forgotten it, but will try it next time I play. Since I am recording all my gigs now, I will be able to do it during a sound check and see what I sound like recorded.

If it works, I may do it for all my gigs.

Thanks again. It never fails to amaze me what I can learn here.

I use In Ear Monitors, so I guess they act as ear plugs too. I keep them at a comfortable level. I turn the L1 system up to the level that suits the venue.

One place had me set up at the end of a long bar and I asked the people sitting 3 barstools away if it was too loud. They said "No." I turned it up some more and asked at the end of the next song, "Is it too loud now?" They replied "No."

I left the volume alone and continued playing. A few songs later, the bartender asked if I could turn it down just a tad because someone at the other end of the bar was having trouble conversing.

I said "Okay, I will turn it down some, but are they still buying food and drinks?" He said "yes."

Meanwhile, everything I was hearing didn't change at all. I love the IEM.

I bought high end ultimate ears in ear monitors. They cost me £750 and its the worst money ive ever spent...for me personally, I cant use in ear monitors due to the bone conduction effect. What happens is you get cut off from audience (and Ive tried ambience options where you can filter in some audience but it doesnt help). The trouble with IEMS is you feel that you are wearing them, when your jaw moves to sing phrases you feel them. Its a shame cause the idea and technology is good, just dont work for me and I know a few others who have same problem with them.