Drums Bleeding on IEM through Shure Beta 87A

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Fipe071

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Hello guys,

I have decided to register and ask for your expertise. I need serious Help!

I am a vocalist/rhythm guitarist for a band here in Florida. I sing through a Shure Beta 87a, and I use Sensaphonics In-Ear Monitors through a Sennheiser wireless system.

Typically, I do acoustic shows with a friend of mine so that gives me no bleeding problems. However, when playing with a full band, no matter where I position myself onstage, the drums bleed onto my In-Ear mix.

This situation is very annoying because it defeats the whole purpose of having In-Ear monitors. I find myself turning up the volume so that I can hear my vocals. Nevertheless, the more I turn up the volume, the louder the drums are on my mix.

I'm looking for a solution other than chanigng the microphone. However, if ya'll consider this is the best solution, I will take suggestions.

I have a dbx 166xl compressor/limiter that does not provide very much help with this problem. I have tried using the noise gate to "mute" the mic while I'm not singing, but when I start singing again, the drum bleed returns.

Any suggestions, as to what I could do to minimize the drums bleeding onto this microphone?


Thanks so much guys![/B]
 
You didn't say whether there are other mics in the monitor mix. If so, it may be these other mics which are picking up the drums.

You will always have *some* bleed.

The 87a has a hypercardioid mic. As such, its null points are at approximately 45 degrees either side of straight ahead as you sing into the mic. So, to minimize bleed, you would have to have the mic somewhat sideways to the band.

On the other hand, much as you don't want to hear it, a dynamic mic may be a better choice due to its shorter "reach". The Audix OM-5 is a good one! Or, a specialized mic like the Crown CM310 (I think that's the one), which is specifically designed to pick up nothing from farther than like 5 inches away.
 
Changing mics is the easiest solution that will probably be an option. This is a very common problem and unless you can get the drummer to play quieter, or get a plexi shield for his drums, it will be something you will have to learn to live with. I would not sya that IEM's are a waste though. If you are having this problem now, it would be much worse in a conventional wedge setup.
 
Thanks for your comments!

So far I've got the following as possible solutions:

Plexiglass screen
Change mic
Check if other mics are possible cause of bleed

If I were to change my microphone, what would be another possibility. I would look for a microphone that has similar characteristics as the Beta 87a, but one that is not as sensitive to the drums in the background.

I appreciate your comments
 
We use Beta87's and Beta 87a's alaong with SM58s for our live sound mix. And theres a dramatic difference between the 87 and 58 with drum bleed, particularly cymbals/high hat/snare. The 58 is worlds better for that, yet is a bit muddier/ nt as clear requireing some extra eq treatment.

Hope this helps.
 
Depending on the specific "drummer" situation, a regular 58 may not solve your problems either. It will probably help that one specific problem, but may not solve it.
 
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