Ear Pieces

[tooj]

Would someone please explain why all singers these days have plugs in their ears. What do they hear, and what are they plugged into?

[rojash]

What they hear is the backing music (possibly with a little of their vocals as well)
They take a wireless feed from the monitor output of the mixing desk.

[The Builder]

Monitors Tooj. Especially the singers. So that they can hear themselves and the rest of the band. The "wedge" shaped cabinets at the front of the stage do the same

[tooj]

I am obviously thick, but if they took the plugs out they would be able to hear themselves and the rest of the band anyway, wouldn't they?

[boxtops]

No, the sound goes outwards, very difficult to follow (particularly given the volume of some bands!)

[tooj]

I think I get it now, but how did the older groups such as the beatles and the rolling stones manage?

[rojash]

"but how did the older groups such as the Beatles and the rolling stones manage?"

Same way that many bands still do - as The Builder said 'The "wedge" shaped cabinets at the front of the stage do the same'.

Quite often there are also speakers at the side of the stage ("side-fills") facing back toward the band .

[rojash]

... if you're really interested, you might like to read this article:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar04/articles/livesound.htm

[tooj]

I think I've got it.... Thanks

[andy-hughes]

The big advantage of 'in-ears' as these monitors are called, is that each musician or vocalist can have his or her sound mixed to their own specifications. Some like to hear themselves, and the guitars only, or the whole band, and the volume can also be set to individual preferences. It's a big help to vocalists because acurate pitching depends on being able to hear yourself.

You do have to trust your monitor engineer though because these monitors are usually custom-made to fit the individual musician, and keep out all external noise, which means that if there is a sudden blast of feedback abive a certain level, hearing damage is instant, and can be permanent.