Audio
IEM vs Wedge Monitoring
01 — Definition
Two ways of sending sound back to the performers. Wedges — floor speakers angled at the performer — are simple and shared, but add stage volume and a feedback risk. In-ear monitors (IEM) — personal mixes on wired or wireless earpieces — isolate the performer, cut stage volume and remove monitor feedback, at the cost of more mixes to manage and careful RF coordination for wireless systems.
02 — In the field
Move a loud band from wedges to IEMs and the stage volume collapses, the FOH mix cleans up at a stroke. Budget RF coordination time for wireless IEMs: a dropout in the lead singer's ears is a show-stopper.