Church technical directors, especially sound engineers and monitor engineers, often have to deal with musicians who complain about using in-ear monitors. "They don't fit right," or "I can't get them to sound right," are often the complaints.
My church first began using in-ear monitors about five years ago. Despite the fact that our church invested in some pretty nice ear buds, as a bass player, I was rarely happy with the sound. Sometimes I could come close to getting a good mix, with the fullness in the low-end I wanted. Then I'd turn my head and the inserts would lose their seal, and the entire mix would change.
Late last year Ultimate Ears approached me about reviewing their new UE 4 Pro Custom Personal Monitors (Retail $399). The church market is a primary target for these new, much-more-affordable, custom-molded, dual-driver, in-ear monitors.
Of course I jumped at the chance. The first step was to visit a local audiologist who fit me with custom molds. I sent the molds off to the Ultimate Ears lab, and ten days later I received my UE4 Pro's.
From the first downbeat during our worship team's rehearsal I could tell this was the in-ear experience I was hoping for. Inserting the monitors was a little painful at first, as they go much deeper into the ear canal than traditional, generic ear buds. But here-in lies the benefit for bass players (and others who require a lot of low end) like me. The lows you hear in the UE4 Pro's are consistent and solid, much deeper than I could ever get with generic, non-custom-molded ear buds. Since the UE 4's go deeper in your ear, there is a physical connection between these ear monitors and the inner ear. This allows you to hear much lower frequencies than ear buds that stay out near the entrance of your ear. The mids provide excellent clarity and intelligibility, and the highs deliver just the right amount of sheen and sparkle. For the first time I could dial in the full tone of my bass (a Lakland 55-02) and actually fine-tune the tone of the kick drum. Before I was lucky to hear the kick drum at all.
Since then I've experienced much more consistent mixes as the monitors simply stay in place in my ears. I can twist, turn, yawn, talk and even chew gum while playing and the monitors, and my sound, remains right where I put them.
Ultimate Ears has a winner in the Custom UE 4 Pro Custom Personal Monitors. Custom ear monitors have never before been available at such a low price. After several months of using them they continue to satisfy. The build quality is professional-grade, and the sound quality is extraordinary. Churches looking for the next step in ear monitors should definitely consider Ultimate Ears UE 4 Pro Custom Personal Monitors.
Pros Custom-molded ear monitors at a generic ear bud price Excellent sound and build quality
Cons A little painful when first inserting in the ear No color options on the Custom UE 4 Pro's. The cord and molds are only available in clear.
Company: Ultimate Ears Product: UE 4 Pro Custom Personal Monitors Phone: (800) 589-6531 Website: www.ultimateears.com Suggested Retail Pricing: $399
