Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

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Brian jojade

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Jan 15, 2011
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Wausau, WI
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Just curious if anyone in the real world has actually used iPod controlled monitors in a live situation. Many of the digital consoles now offer this as an option, but I've yet to see a scenario where I would want to have this happen.

There is a post in the X32 forum about building a complex system where the artists could each have their own iPads, and have full EQ control, etc, etc. Would the cost of this be justified, especially considering that the artist is likely busy, well, being an artist. Do they have time to really adjust the mix of the monitors? Wouldn't that money be better spent in hiring a monitor engineer for the job?

I could maybe see it making sense for an IEM system with a small band where the mix could be controlled from an iPhone, but even that I see as more of a novelty than anything else. I'd absolutely NEVER give control to multiple artists with live monitor speakers. That's just asking for all hell to break loose, isn't it?
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

The problem is if you/they begin to use 2.4GHz wireless mics and bodypacks and like.

Most iphones and ipads in use today aren't 5GHz compatible either.

You may also experience a small delay due to network dropout 2-5 seconds and this will most likley occurr when there's feedback in the monitor ;-)

The general idea and concept is good but is a little bit too unstable to be comfortable...

Oh, and since all musicuans wants more Me the disaster is around the corner.

For iems I think its a good thing.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Robert Lofgren said:
The problem is if you/they begin to use 2.4GHz wireless mics and bodypacks and like.

Most iphones and ipads in use today aren't 5GHz compatible either.

You may also experience a small delay due to network dropout 2-5 seconds and this will most likley occurr when there's feedback in the monitor ;-)

The general idea and concept is good but is a little bit too unstable to be comfortable...

Oh, and since all musicuans wants more Me the disaster is around the corner.

For iems I think its a good thing.
Click to expand...

My iPad 1 works fine with my 5Ghz router.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

A "GOOD" ME is always going to be the best option obviously. One that knows how to mix IEM's, which isn't always the easiest of tasks.

That being said that's not always in the budget. IMO if it's not in the budget and you find yourself running monitors from FOH give them some wedges and be done with it. A good wedge mix should be better than a half arsed IEM mix - at least in the kind of market that the X32 users serve.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

I think the iPad controlled personal monitor mix question is a fun one to talk about. I'm the author of that post in question also.

You are all absolutly right that it's a bad idea (most of the time, there are always exceptions) to give wedge mix control to the band. But I'm talking about IEM mix control. That's where a better controlled system could really shine. Whenever I've given IEM mix control to the band, the soundcheck time seems to only take 1/4 of the time or less.. It's like parallel processing or something for computers... The idea is to provide an easy way to quick change the performers mix by themselves, so they don't have to bug the monitor guy or FOH guy... It's also a question to explore on the best sounding method and most flexible way to get that accomplished...
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Oh yeah, John's right... My iPad 2 has 5Ghz, works great too, I mix using 5Ghz exclusively.

The question was also asked about the musicians having better things to do... Yes, it's not for everyone, but if the effort is put in aheamade time, and saved for possible later recall too, very little adjustments would need to be made during the show. The cat's I've used it with LOVE the control, most of 'em anyway...
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Declan Slater said:
I think the iPad controlled personal monitor mix question is a fun one to talk about. I'm the author of that post in question also.

You are all absolutly right that it's a bad idea (most of the time, there are always exceptions) to give wedge mix control to the band. But I'm talking about IEM mix control. That's where a better controlled system could really shine. Whenever I've given IEM mix control to the band, the soundcheck time seems to only take 1/4 of the time or less.. It's like parallel processing or something for computers... The idea is to provide an easy way to quick change the performers mix by themselves, so they don't have to bug the monitor guy or FOH guy... It's also a question to explore on the best sounding method and most flexible way to get that accomplished...
Click to expand...

My church group uses a custom personal monitor IEM system made with 01v96s and controlled with hardware MIDI Controllers. The group members are mixing some 36 inputs Into their in ears and it works well. I'm currently planning on swapping the rig out for x32cores and iPad control as soon as the Corez are released. I expect this to work very well too, and be even simpler.

there is an efficiency that happens when each person does their own mix. Our sound checks each week take literally 3 minutes, and folks rarely need to make changes later. It's been a huge time saver for us, even though I had to train 20 different people to use it at the beginning.

I think that Artist mixed monitors are here to stay, especially for bands that have their own gear. The big boys will continue to use MEs, but the rest of us can definitely benefit from the advantages that are afforded by this new approach.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Brian jojade said:
Just curious if anyone in the real world has actually used iPod controlled monitors in a live situation. Many of the digital consoles now offer this as an option, but I've yet to see a scenario where I would want to have this happen.

There is a post in the X32 forum about building a complex system where the artists could each have their own iPads, and have full EQ control, etc, etc. Would the cost of this be justified, especially considering that the artist is likely busy, well, being an artist. Do they have time to really adjust the mix of the monitors? Wouldn't that money be better spent in hiring a monitor engineer for the job?

I could maybe see it making sense for an IEM system with a small band where the mix could be controlled from an iPhone, but even that I see as more of a novelty than anything else. I'd absolutely NEVER give control to multiple artists with live monitor speakers. That's just asking for all hell to break loose, isn't it?
Click to expand...

Pretty common around here w/ cover bands on IEM's these days.
Most are using Studiolive 24.4, but a few have moved to X32
Don't see it much w/wedges.

That said, I do wedges w/my iPad with my band (LS9-16) when we have a FOH guy.
Works well, but I know the rig as well (usually better) than the guy on FOH does.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

John Chiara said:
My iPad 1 works fine with my 5Ghz router.
Click to expand...
I learn something new every day.

Most monitor mix apps are made for iphone/ipod and running it on an ipad may not be optimal.

Another thing to consider is if the system is for visiting bands they may not have the iThingies. Also, there exist several desks with monitor apps so the band may not be familiar with Your specific app...

The problem I forsee is that there is more and more wireless on stage. Be it 2.4GHz or anything else, but they will have negative impact due to close proximity in the end introducing lags and other problems due to re-transmissions and similar conditions.

Some week ago I was trying to use my ipad to remote control the mixer but the line6 systems on stage killed the connection. In this case I was running on my 2.4GHz router instead of my dual band AE. Personal monitor mixing was also useless in this specific setup since only iphone5 supports 5GHz and most people still use iphone4/iphone4s.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Most monitor aps were written for the ipad.

Phones work because they run on the same os (ios)
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

Who provides the ipod/ipad musician or soundco? Not sure I would want to invest in a handfull of them and have them walk off a gig in someone else's pocket. In a Church setting that might be different.
 
Re: Artist controlled iPod/iPad controlled monitors

I run the same few bands over and over and it has worked well here with our IEM setup. Everyone seems to have an iphone or ipad anyway. As stated above... I would NEVER give wedge control to a musician.
 
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