In-ear monitors are a valuable tool for musicians and sound techs in live production environments.
 
Selecting the right in-ear monitors for live sound monitoring is important, and there are a number of variables to take into consideration.
 
(Learn more about in-ear monitoring for musicians and sound techs here.)
 
Some earphones labeled as “in-ear monitors” simply don’t fit the bill and aren’t worth the time or money to use on stage.
 
Other in-ear monitors are marketed with so much fanfare that it can be hard to tell if you’re buying into a boutique brand experience or paying for true audiophile perfection.
 
As a musician and sound tech, I look for something in between. I don’t need audiophile-grade sound, but I absolutely need dependable performance, quality audio reproduction, a comfortable fit, and excellent noise isolation.
 
With all of those requirements, Ultimate Ears Pro UE 11 Pro in-ear monitors were definitely on my radar.
 
The following is a full and unbiased review of my experience using the custom molded UE 11 Pro in-ear monitors.

There are many options and even more opinions in the world of in-ear monitors.
 
And when it comes to in-ear monitors for musicians and live sound techs, it is extremely important to consider the key variables that define the ideal in-ear monitor.
 
Monitor Requirements for Musicians & Sound Techs
 
Needs for musicians and vocalists will vary slightly from those using in-ear monitors for live sound mixing (like the monitor mix engineer).
 
Musicians and sound techs alike will benefit from a good fit and accurate sound reproduction, but an audio engineer will likely want extra noise isolation for more defined monitoring. And musicians may prefer more or less stage noise bleed through their monitors.

When it comes to dialing in sound quality, a lot of churches have decided to use in ear monitor (also called personal monitor) systems instead of stage monitors for their worship team needs on stage.

In ear monitors can work great for reducing the volume level on stage and clearing up the sound in the room. But you need to make sure you're using good headphones or earbuds if you're going to use this type of approach.

Here are some quick suggestions for in ear monitors that might work for you, depending on your needs and budget...