TouchMix Tips & Tricks – In Ear Monitors
TouchMix mixers all have the capability to drive wired, stereo In Ear Monitors (IEM) directly. For performers such as keyboardists and drummers who stay at one place on stage, this is a simple and inexpensive way to use “ears”. Each TouchMix model handles the IEM drive a bit differently.
TouchMix-8 The IEM output gets its mix from Auxes 3 and 4. To use this, you’ll want to link these two auxes for stereo operation.
TouchMix-16 This mixer has two stereo IEM outputs that are fed by the stereo auxes 7/8 and 9/10. By default, these auxes are stereo.
TouchMix-30 The two IEM outputs on the TouchMix-30 are fed from Auxes 11/12 and 13/14. To use this, you’ll want to link these two auxes for stereo operation.
Setting up a mix
There are a few approaches to setting up you IEM mix. If you’ve already got a good house mix established, the fastest way to get a starting mix is to copy the Main L/R mix to the Auxes driving your IEM. Here’s how to do it on a TouchMix-30.
- Select the Main Mix by touching the Main Mix L/R button on the upper left corner of the screen.
- Push “Copy”
- Select the Aux you are using for your IEM by touching one of the Aux buttons on the left of the TouchMix display.
- Push “Paste”
- You’re not done yet. Keep your Aux mix selected.
- Touch Aux Out 1-8 and bring Aux Faders 1 – 8 all the way down.
- Touch Aux Out 9-16 and bring the Main fader all the way down.
- Touch Sub Groups and bring Sub 1 – 8 faders all the way down.
- Adjust the Master fader for the Aux to the desired level.
You can also set up an ears mix using a recording from a previous show. Depending on how well your IEM block stage noise, this method works very well. Since you’re doing it when you’re not in a show, you can give your full attention to dialing up exactly the mix you want to hear.
Of course, you can control your mix remotely from Android or iOS phones and tablets.
Another thing to remember is that you’ve got a lot of signal processing available. Use the aux output PEQ to tune the sound of your IEM. Much of the reason for using IEM is to protect your hearing. Setting the limiter on the aux output can provide additional protection.
One final trick – Let’s say you’ve used all your TouchMix IEM outputs but you want to add another IEM. You could buy a wired IEM amp – there are lots of them on the market – and feed it from an aux output. But that’s one more bit of gear you have to fiddle with. Or you could do this…
Connect the additional IEM to the Cue output of the mixer. Then just Cue whichever Aux you want to use and dial up your mix.
More info: TouchMix Series Digital Mixers