Monitoring Your Sound – Using Stage Monitors or In-Ear Monitors Effectively

Discover how pro musicians always hear themselves on stage – the monitor secrets that keep their performances pitch-perfect every time

One of the biggest challenges for live performers is hearing yourself clearly on stage. Beginners often struggle with off-key vocals or timing issues simply because they can’t hear their own music well. This is where stage monitors and in-ear monitors come into play. Learning to use these tools effectively can elevate your performance from amateur to professional. In this article, we’ll guide you through getting the most out of floor wedges and in-ear monitoring systems so you never miss a note, whether you’re playing a small club or a huge arena.

Stage Monitors 101: Wedges vs. In-Ears

Why Monitoring Your Sound Is Crucial

Imagine singing your heart out but not being able to hear your own voice over the drums and guitars – it’s a performer’s nightmare. Good stage monitoring ensures you can hear yourself and your band clearly, which is essential for staying in tune and in time. Without proper monitors, even talented singers can go off-key or drummers might speed up or slow down unknowingly. Many famous artists emphasize the importance of monitors during shows. For example, Adele has stopped concerts to fix monitor issues because she knows the show suffers if she can’t hear herself properly. Simply put, hearing your sound on stage allows you to perform with confidence and deliver a great show for the audience.

Floor Wedge Monitors: Old-School but Effective

The traditional stage monitor is the wedge-shaped speaker at your feet blasting your music back at you. These floor wedges have been a staple of live shows for decades. They project sound toward the performer’s ears to help you maintain pitch and rhythm. For instance, a rock singer might have a wedge monitor delivering mostly vocals and lead guitar, so they can nail those high notes in tune. Wedges are simple: you ask the sound engineer to "put more vocals" or "more piano" in them during soundcheck, and that mix is what you’ll hear. The downside is that wedges also pump sound onto the stage that can bleed into microphones and potentially cause feedback. Still, many bands use them effectively, positioning the speakers carefully and working with the engineer to get a balanced monitor mix.

In-Ear Monitors: Modern Monitoring Marvels

In-ear monitors (IEMs) are those little earpieces you see pop stars and band members wearing. Instead of a loudspeaker, you get a tiny speaker in your ear delivering a personal mix of the performance. Many modern musicians prefer IEMs for the clarity and control they offer. Pop and R&B artists who dance, like Beyoncé or Justin Bieber, rely on wireless in-ears so they can move freely on huge stages and still hear every note. The benefits are significant: IEMs provide improved sound quality directly to your ears and reduce the risk of feedback, while also protecting your hearing at high-volume shows. You can have a custom mix – for example, a vocalist might have mostly their own vocals and a touch of piano in their in-ears. The drawback is that they can feel isolating if you’re not used to them, since they block out ambient room noise. However, with practice, most artists come to prefer in-ears for their consistency and clarity.

Choosing the Right Monitor Setup for You

Both wedges and in-ears have their place, and many performers even use a combination of both. Your choice might depend on your budget, the venues you play, and your personal preference. In a small venue with minimal gear, a couple of well-placed wedge monitors might do the job. For large shows or touring, in-ears can provide the clarity and consistency needed to perform at a high level. Some rock purists still love the "amp-in-the-room" feel of wedges, while others embrace the high-tech experience of in-ears. It’s worth trying both if possible. For example, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl uses in-ears for consistency but keeps floor monitors as a backup for a more natural live feel – the best of both worlds. The key is to ensure that, one way or another, you’re hearing what you need to deliver a top-notch performance.

Getting the Most Out of Your Monitor Mix

Soundcheck: Your Monitoring Best Friend

A great monitor mix starts at soundcheck. This is your chance to work with the sound engineer to dial in exactly what you need in your monitors before the crowd arrives. Seasoned performers arrive early to check each instrument and microphone, ensuring, for example, that the lead vocalist’s mic is loud and clear in all monitors, or that the guitarist can hear the drums. Use this time to be specific: if you’re the singer, let the engineer know if you want more of your voice or a bit of the keyboard in your monitor. The goal is to create a personal mix that makes you feel comfortable. Many top bands run a full song during soundcheck to test the monitor balance, so if you get it right, you can step on stage with confidence.

Balancing the Stage Volume

Monitors are only part of the equation – overall stage volume is critical too. If your guitarist’s amp is cranked too high or the drummer is playing excessively loud, it can overwhelm the monitor mix. Good performers coordinate with each other to control stage volume, ensuring that every instrument is balanced. This prevents the classic problem of everyone trying to play louder so they can hear themselves. Instead, each member trusts the monitor system to deliver the right sound. When the volume is well-controlled, you can hear your performance clearly without turning up your own levels, which in turn creates a more cohesive sound on stage.

Avoiding Feedback and Other Issues

Feedback is the arch-nemesis of stage monitors, especially with floor wedges. Feedback occurs when a microphone picks up sound from a speaker and creates a loop, resulting in a loud, piercing squeal. To prevent this, be mindful of monitor and mic placement. Keep your vocal mic pointed away from the wedge, and ensure the monitor is positioned so that its output does not directly feed into your mic. Sound engineers often cut certain "hot" frequencies in the monitor mix (typically around 2–4 kHz) to reduce the risk of feedback. In-ear monitors virtually eliminate this problem since they isolate your sound from the ambient stage noise. With careful setup and communication, you can avoid the dreaded feedback and focus on your performance.

Personalizing Your Monitor Mix

Every musician has different needs in their monitor mix. As a vocalist, you might want more of your own voice and less of the background instruments, while a drummer may need to hear both the bass and the kick drum clearly. Work with your sound engineer to tailor each monitor mix to the individual performer’s preferences. Many venues offer multiple monitor sends, allowing for personalized mixes on stage. This customization helps everyone perform at their best. By communicating clearly and adjusting during soundcheck, you can ensure that each monitor mix is perfectly balanced for the unique requirements of your performance.

Mastering In-Ear Monitor Usage

Adjusting to In-Ears: What to Expect

If you’re new to in-ear monitors, the first experience can feel a bit isolating because you suddenly hear a very clean, direct mix without the ambient stage noise. Many performers start by wearing one earpiece, leaving the other ear open, to ease the transition. Over time, however, you’ll learn to appreciate the consistency and clarity that in-ears provide. You might even ask the sound engineer to blend in a little ambient sound so you don’t feel completely cut off from the live energy on stage.

Setting Safe Volume Levels

One of the advantages of in-ear monitors is that they help protect your hearing by allowing you to listen at lower volumes. Because in-ears block out a lot of ambient noise, you don’t need to crank them up. Aim for the lowest comfortable volume that still lets you hear all the essential elements of your mix. Many professionals take regular "ear breaks" by briefly removing one earpiece, ensuring they don’t damage their hearing over a long tour. Remember, preserving your hearing is as crucial as your performance, so be mindful of your in-ear volume levels.

Dealing with Technical Glitches

In-ear monitors are sophisticated devices with multiple components – transmitters, receivers, and earpieces – and they can sometimes fail. Always carry spare batteries for your wireless packs, and check your gear before every show. If your in-ears cut out mid-performance, have a backup plan: for example, switch temporarily to a floor monitor or signal to your sound engineer so they can adjust on the fly. Being prepared for technical glitches minimizes downtime and keeps the show moving, which in turn keeps the audience engaged.

Pros Who Love (and Hate) In-Ears

Most modern touring artists use in-ear monitors, but not everyone was an instant fan. Some veteran rock musicians initially preferred traditional wedges because they felt more connected to the live sound. However, as technology advanced, even the biggest stars like Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish embraced in-ears for their clarity and consistency. Some artists even use a hybrid approach, wearing in-ears for critical parts of the show while also having a floor monitor as a backup. The key takeaway is that whether you use in-ears or wedges, the most important aspect is that you can hear yourself clearly, which in turn allows you to perform at your best.

Advanced Monitoring Tips and Tricks

Positioning Your Wedges Like a Pro

If you’re using floor monitors, placement is key. Ensure your wedge is aimed directly at you and positioned at a proper distance to provide clear sound without overwhelming your ears. Consider marking the ideal spot on stage during soundcheck, so you know exactly where to stand for optimal sound. Adjust your position if you move around too much, and work with your sound engineer to fine-tune the mix.

Communicating with Your Sound Engineer

Effective communication with your sound engineer can resolve most monitor issues. Use clear, concise language to express your needs – for example, "I need more of my vocal in my mix" or "Can we lower the guitar level in my in-ears?" Develop a system of hand signals if needed, so you can adjust your monitor mix even during a show without disrupting the performance. The better you communicate, the more likely you are to have a mix that works perfectly for you.

Developing Your Ear and Confidence

Use rehearsals to train your ears by practicing with your in-ears or wedges at performance levels. Over time, you’ll become more accustomed to the sound of your own voice and learn to make quick adjustments. Confidence in your monitor mix directly translates to confidence on stage – when you know you can hear yourself perfectly, your performance becomes more assured and powerful.

Real-World Example: From The Beatles to Today

Consider how The Beatles struggled with poor stage monitoring in their early days, with little to no on-stage monitors and massive crowd noise at places like Shea Stadium. Fast forward to today, where artists like Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen use advanced in-ear monitor systems to deliver flawless performances even in huge arenas. This evolution in monitoring technology has allowed artists to overcome past limitations, and it’s a lesson for every performer: adapt, upgrade, and always be prepared. Your monitor setup is an essential part of your performance, and getting it right can make all the difference.