Best ear defenders for live performance?

[Bass Wielder]

This may already be covered…I haven’t seen so here goes🤞🏽

I use custom moulded JH Audio IEMs for gigs that support this but for regular gigs I have never really used but feel the need to do so now.

(Never too late and especially after a recent hearing test🫣)

*Do I have to go custom for this?

*Any off the shelf generics experience here?

*Any bass player specific options?

etc……..

All suggestions welcome.

I’ll put the kettle on🤓

 

[tauzero]

I've just started using Alpine Musicsafe Pro plugs and they seem pretty good. The band isn't overwhelmingly loud, so the silver filters are fine. The sound reduction seems well balanced. I do have another couple of pairs that I can't remember the origins of which seem to filter out highs a bit more than lows - usable (I used them last night for some reason, I'd got the Alpines with me). And for motorcycling I use the Howard Leight MAX earplugs, which I haven't tried at a gig but I suspect wouldn't be ideal.

[chris_b]

ACS, ACS, ACS

[Bolo]

Something like those alpines is fine, though custom is better in sound quality, reliability, fit and damping.

Most on here use ACS custom molds, which can be fitted at Booths. 

There's a bass chat discount I believe, and a musicians union discount? Others will supply the details shortly I trust.

[Lozz196]

Yup, ACS PRO 17s for me, their most natural sounding ones apparently.

[Bass Wielder]

Looking them up as we speak! 🤞🏽

[MichaelDean]

BASS15 is the discount code. Well worth the money. 

[dmccombe7]

ACS Pro 17's for me too. So good i even bought my wife the same as she attends all my gigs and is usually sat in front or near the PA.

Dave

[chris_b]

I have Pro 17's and Pro 26's, for when I'm playing with a certain guitarist!!

[Skybone]

ACS Custom Pro 17's. Definitely worth the money.

 

I put off getting some for years, but finally got some a couple of years ago. Well worth it.

[deepbass5]

The volume knob

[Stub Mandrel]

Just received some Alpine Musicsafe pro earplugs, lots of hits on here for them saying they are good.
 

I've tried them on the silver ~22db inserts and they definitly work. They do cut the highs more than teh lows, which is how they are designed. I'll have to see how they work out at a gig/rehearsal, but should be a good solution for controlling harsh snare/cymbal noise.

[Owen]

Anyone reading this needs to get proper moulded ones. Saving 100 quid to use plugs which are not guaranteed to seal is asking for trouble. Every one of us who has tinnitus/top end loss/hyperacusis (sp?)/something else would spend that 100 quid without blinking to make their hearing right. Most of us would spend 10 or 20 times that. But we cannot. Once the damage is done, it is game over. No one sits there listening to their ears whine/grumble/rumble or just not work and thinks "so glad I saved the cost of 3 sets of strings".

 

Do it right first time. I am not pointing at anyone who is using anything else. 

 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

39 minutes ago, Owen said:

Anyone reading this needs to get proper moulded ones. Saving 100 quid to use plugs which are not guaranteed to seal is asking for trouble. Every one of us who has tinnitus/top end loss/hyperacusis (sp?)/something else would spend that 100 quid without blinking to make their hearing right. Most of us would spend 10 or 20 times that. But we cannot. Once the damage is done, it is game over. No one sits there listening to their ears whine/grumble/rumble or just not work and thinks "so glad I saved the cost of 3 sets of strings".

 

Do it right first time. I am not pointing at anyone who is using anything else. 

 

 

 

I think it depends on your ears and the style of earplug. I have no issue getting a good seal with ordinary 'three cup' earplugs.

[Owen]

I wish you the very best with that and sincerely hope it works for you. None of my responses are aimed at you, Mr Mandrel. I am hoping that casual readers would get a handle on the dangers and the clear strategies for negating that danger. From my own personal experience, I would not be taking the risk for the cost of 3 sets of strings (or less if you use TI Jazz Flats!).

 

I am not telling anyone what to do with their lives. However the reality is that when it goes wrong suddenly all sorts of musical endeavours we take for granted, both listening and playing, are no longer possible. Hearing damage is progressive. Ironically mine tipped over into permanent tinnitus during a rehearsal with a harp. I can no longer play that subtle stuff that requires me to respond to subtle playing changes because I cannot risk further damage by playing unprotected. 

 

This is all totally avoidable. 

 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

I understand, perhaps we should use the full over ear protectors I use when carrying out noisy machining operations at gigs as well?

This is all about management of risk, and I'm very aware of the circumstances when I feel protection is useful, and I know how to insert and use standard earplugs correctly and to be aware if they are working or not.

 

I also have developed mild tinnnitis following being hospitalised with vestibular neuritis, so I have an idea of what the consequences are.

 

<edit> I also use a dB app on my phone when attending gigs - I'm not sure of its absolute accuracy compared to my proper dB meter, but I assume it's relative accuracy is pretty good. It's worrying that a few bands playing in a local venue can be 10-12dB louder than Alice Cooper in an arena at less than twice the distance from the PA, and they get upset when asked to turn down.

Edited 5 hours ago by Stub Mandrel

[ian61]

Well I had custom moulded ones and they would gradually by the end of the first set work their way out which was pretty worrying being hit by a wall of noise. Went over to a pair of el cheapo soft black three cups for pennies and no more probs and ears feel fresh and relaxed after a three hr set.