At Willow Creek, we have the privilege of having a full time monitor mix position in two of our rooms. Unfortunately, most churches don't have that.

So for those of you who don’t, here are some tips for getting the best results with personal monitoring, regardless of what or how many systems you have.

One of the main issues I’ve come across with the use of personal monitor systems is that band members and vocalists can easily get "lost" in their own world. This can cause over-playing, over-singing, and overall bad band blending.

Here’s what experience has taught me. I hope you find these suggestions helpful:

1. Two ears are better than one
There is a phenomenon called binaural summation. This is that when you hear a signal through both ears, its judged as being louder that if it was coming through one. Research shows that this can be a perception change of up to +6dB! This means you can listen at safer levels and still hear yourself! Bass players and drummers - this is a must! You have to wear both ears to have any low-end response through the monitors.

2. The seal is the deal
If using generic ear buds, make sure you wear the best ear tip size for you. If you are using a custom solution, such as Sensaphonics, ensure the seal is tight. A good way to test is to snap on each side of your head when the monitors are in. They should sound similar and be at similar levels. You may need to try multiple tip sizes to ensure the best seal. This is important because you will lose sonic fidelity if they are the incorrect size. Many complain of low-end loss (especially drummers and bassists).

3. Listen like its 1925.
Use stereo! The sonic separation does a few things:

For vocalists, you can pan people with competing parts slightly left or right of center and it will allow you to pick out your part easier, and at lower volumes.

For band members it does much that same, but allows you to clearly hear others and their parts, allowing you to blend better. When you think of panning, start with where band members or vocalists are located on stage. If someones always going to be on your right, pan them there.

When doing this you will find it becomes easier to pick out who is doing what! You will also find, if done well, you can listen at a lower volume than you would if in mono.

4. Make it Musical
I know this sounds pretty obvious, but many times people tweak their mix to oblivion. A good way to start is mix everything except yourself, making it sound how you want to hear it (most people think of a CD). Then add yourself in, at a level that feels comfortable.

This is how I start everyone. I begin with a musical blend of everything, then add or subtract as needed.

Make it hard to overplay.
Put items that you would tend to over play hotter in the mix.

For the drummer – cymbals. For percussionists — tambourine, and for vocalists it could be you! If you have problems with sibilance, don't EQ it out of your mix - many times that will make you more prone to do it, since it is harder to hear!

5. Spice it up! Use Audience/Ambient Mics
A drawback of wearing two ears is that you may find it too direct or "dry".

Worship leaders complain that they will lose the connection with the audience. Try putting up some audience mics. The mics don't need to be anything fancy, try SM57s, and dont be afraid to do heavy EQing on the mics! This will wash out your mix if you don't set them correctly, so start with a little and add!

Also, not everyone will need or want the audience mics, band members in general tend to want a more dry tight sound, while vocalists will almost always request them.

6. Compromise
I'm not going to make any engineers happy here BUT Just because you have personal monitoris, it doesn't always mean that you should kill all onstage audio sources.

Especially in transition time, allow amps to be turned forward, or even in some cases, wedges to still be on. This will help artists gradually move toward the use of in-ears, but allow them to still have the confidence of "moving air" on stage

About Nathan Miller:
Combining a passion for working with artists with a penchant for troubleshooting the audio chain, Nathan presently consults with Willow Creek Community Church as well as other Chicago area clients. An audio engineer for twelve years and a Willow staffer for five, he decided to go freelance and relocated to small town life in Indiana after several years of urban living in the Chicago area. He continues to work closely with the church, chiefly in the role of audio engineer and wireless consultant. Reach Nathan on the web at www.nmiller.net or call him toll-free at 866.480.3358.