Who hear(edit:here, LOL) plays with earplugs?

[MOAAH]

I don't, never have and prolly never will.

But my drummer and rhythm player do. They often seem lost and I'm just about fed up

Any suggestions?

 

[dstroud]

I can't deal with earplugs. I've tried, but I just feel totally lost in dynamics when I have earplugs in.

 

[Strat+Marshall]

I probably should but just don't feel comfortable with them Has anyone here actually had good custom ones made for their ears? Still suck or cool?

 

[MOAAH]

I can't deal with earplugs. I've tried, but I just feel totally lost in dynamics when I have earplugs in.

Thanks for that.
I think it's kinda silly with the volume levels we play at: mostly miked through the board. My practice PA is only 400 watts and set at about 1/2 volume

 

[D-Rock]

I can't deal with earplugs. I've tried, but I just feel totally lost in dynamics when I have earplugs in.

I used to feel the same way, and still somewhat do. In my previous bands I would never wear them. I felt as if they altered the sound of my tone and the whole group too much.

Currently I'm without a band. When I play my halfstack, I like to really crank the amp. My ears would start to crackle, which isn't good.

What I do now is I only wear one ear plug, in the the ear facing the speakers. I find I still experience the true tone from my amp while sheltering my one ear that's closer to the amp.

 

[MOAAH]

I probably should but just don't feel comfortable with them Has anyone here actually had good custom ones made for their ears? Still suck or cool?

I've played for 40 years and my hearing, which has been tested recently, is well above average for my age. I am just so frustrated. I hate to hurt these guys feelings but there is no way I want to continue if they can't even keep time.

Worst of all, they seem to be getting worse

 

[dstroud]

I can't deal with earplugs. I've tried, but I just feel totally lost in dynamics when I have earplugs in.

I used to feel the same way, and still somewhat do. In my previous bands I would never wear them. I felt as if they altered the sound of my tone and the whole group too much.

Currently I'm without a band. When I play my halfstack, I like to really crank the amp. My ears would start to crackle, which isn't good.

What I do now is I only wear one ear plug, in the the ear facing the speakers. I find I still experience the true tone from my amp while sheltering my one ear that's closer to the amp.

I did play with 1 band that was insanely loud. At rehearsals the vox were eq'd to just cut like a knife - and I did wear earplugs with that band case I was sure if I didn't there would be some hearing damage done.

 

[Copperhead]

I wear one depending on the proximity and location of the drums and or monitors. Nothing like having a crash 2' from your ear or Bose vertical monitors on the side of the stage blowing your hair like you're walking through a freakin' car wash.

 

[MOAAH]

What I do now is I only wear one ear plug, in the the ear facing the speakers. I find I still experience the true tone from my amp while sheltering my one ear that's closer to the amp.

Thanks, I'll suggest that, but I've also suggested, to no avail, that they try headphones at practice(my suggestion seems to have fallen on deaf ears, and they weren't wearing plugs at the time, LOL). At least then they'd hear what the heck is going on.

Last night we were practicing one of the first songs I ever showed them, and old tune "Heartbreaker" by Grand Funk. Well fuck, there is a part where it slows down, and geepers, did they both throw a wrench into the works. The thing is I don't mind if they missed a beat once in a while, but neither of them corrected it as I tried to go on

 

[dstroud]

What I do now is I only wear one ear plug, in the the ear facing the speakers. I find I still experience the true tone from my amp while sheltering my one ear that's closer to the amp.

Thanks, I'll suggest that, but I've suggested, to no avail, that they try headphones at practice(my suggestion seems to have fallen on deaf ears, and they weren't wearing plugs at the time, LOL). At least then they'd hear what the heck is going on.

Last night we were practicing one of the first songs I ever showed them, and old tune "Heartbreaker" by Grand Funk. Well fuck, there is a part where it slows down, and geepers, did they both throw a wrench into the works. The thing is I don't mind if they missed a beat once in a while, but neither of them corrected it as I tried to go on

Are you sure earplugs are the problem? I would think your drummer should be able to do the slow down and surely the bass player could follow, even with earplugs in. Sounds like there is a leadership issue between the bass player and drummer and neither is paying attention to the other.

 

[MOAAH]

I wear one depending on the proximity and location of the drums and or monitors. Nothing like having a crash 2' from your ear or Bose vertical monitors on the side of the stage blowing your hair like you're walking through a freakin' car wash.

So a couple O votes for one plug. Hope they appreciate your input, I know I sure do!

Thanks guys, anymore suggestions?

 

[Inearthed]

Are they wearing the cheap foam ear plugs that you get from the grocery store in a pack of 10 for $3? I can't wear those otherwise all I hear is a muddy / bassy mess. I use the Hearos in practices and they seem to work pretty well for at least dampening the things that otherwise would really hurt (snare, cymbals, vocals) and just generally dropping down the volume to a more acceptable level.

 

[blackba]

I wear earplugs all the time with bands and I have been the only one to do so. I had lots of ear problems as a kid (sets of tubes, surgery, etc) so I want to protect the hearing that I have. It takes some getting used to, to play with ear plugs, but its worth it. Without them I would get ear fatique and my ears would hurt and ring at the end of practice or a show. I use hi-fi hearos, pretty cheap overall, but good.

You just have to learn to adjust the EQ a bit, set your eq of your amp with them off and then check it with them in. Notice the difference and keep this in mind when tweaking your amp.

My current band practices are pretty loud, I measured with my SPL meeting about 100-110dBA when the meter was right around my head. When I used to borrow a Fender Deluxe reverb, it would sometimes get buried in this environment.

I do not find that me wearing ear plugs effects my playing or timing, just my EQing is a bit different, so I adjust. Are these musicians good without earplugs?

 

[hairychris444]

Never used to until joining my last band about 6 years ago. After that first rehearsal I've worn ear plugs at practically every rehearsal, gig (play and watch) and club night out that I have.

That night I finally worked out that I had damaged my ears after 12 years of gigs & clubbing several times a week.



I'd always say to use plugs if you're playing at any volume much above conversation levels.

 

[MOAAH]

Are you sure earplugs are the problem? I would think your drummer should be able to do the slow down and surely the bass player could follow, even with earplugs in. Sounds like there is a leadership issue between the bass player and drummer and neither is paying attention to the other.

Our bassist, who is a true pro, only shows up for gigs. He knows the songs as well as I do, we've been friends for years. I must say for sure when he is around things are a little better. Maybe it's just my fault for trying to break in some beginners; that's what you get for taking in friends rather than sticking with pros.

I am starting to think that the rhythm player is tone deaf and the drummer simply drinks too much

I don't allow anyone to drink at a gig until the last set, so maybe I should do the same at practice

 

[MOAAH]

Are they wearing the cheap foam ear plugs that you get from the grocery store in a pack of 10 for $3? I can't wear those otherwise all I hear is a muddy / bassy mess. I use the Hearos in practices and they seem to work pretty well for at least dampening the things that otherwise would really hurt (snare, cymbals, vocals) and just generally dropping down the volume to a more acceptable level.

BINGO!!!

Yep the cheap kind is what they got, I will insist they get what you said! If they want to continue that is

 

[MOAAH]

... I use hi-fi hearos, pretty cheap overall, but good...

Are these musicians good without earplugs?

Two votes for Hearos, thanks so much guys!!!

Not sure, they never play without them...

 

[Craggin]

All the time, everytime. I use Westones custom fitted because I can't use foam or cheaper ones without getting cauliflower ear. (I had my ears drained a few times over the years from wrestling in high school.)


They're not really plugs, more like attenuaters where you insert the level of attenuation you want from -6db up to -35db. I use -9db or -15db depending on the venue...they work like magic.

 

[MOAAH]

Never used to until joining my last band about 6 years ago. After that first rehearsal I've worn ear plugs at practically every rehearsal, gig (play and watch) and club night out that I have.

That night I finally worked out that I had damaged my ears after 12 years of gigs & clubbing several times a week.



I'd always say to use plugs if you're playing at any volume much above conversation levels.

Well I tend to find a sweet spot that ain't over powering. I do the sound myself for now, so it is easy for me to have the control I need not to overdrive the monitors and stuff.

As far as myself, maybe I was just born with tough ears, but I still hear very well and will likely never use plugs. I do love headphones when recording my vocals thou...

 

[MOAAH]

All the time, everytime. I use Westones custom fitted because I can't use foam or cheaper ones without getting cauliflower ear. (I had my ears drained a few times over the years from wrestling in high school.)


They're not really plugs, more like attenuaters where you insert the level of attenuation you want from -6db up to -35db. I use -9db or -15db depending on the venue...they work like magic.

Very cool

Now that I may try even myself

You guys rock