The key to successful personal monitoring lies
in the quality of the earphone. All the premium
components in the monitoring signal path
will be rendered ineffective by a low quality
earphone.
A good earphone must combine full
range audio fidelity with good isolation,
comfort, and inconspicuous appearance.
|
Custom molded earphones offer
exceptional sound quality and isolation.
The procedure for getting custom molds involves a visit to an audiologist.
The audiologist makes an impression of your ear canals by placing a "dam" inside your ear to protect your ear drum, and fills them with a silicone based material that conforms exactly to the dimensions of your ears.
The impressions are then used to create the custom molded earphones. Another visit to the audiologist is required for a final fitting.
|
|
|
Sonion offer a range of Transducers ideal for earphone design.
Originally implemented in the hearing aid
industry, the balanced armature transducer made by Sonion combines smaller size with higher sensitivity.
A horseshoe shaped metal "arm" has a coil
wrapped around one end and the other
suspended between the north and south poles
of a magnet. When alternating current is
applied to the coil, the opposite arm (the one
suspended in the magnetic field) is drawn
towards either pole of the magnet. The
vibrations are then transferred to the diaphragm,
usually a thin layer of foil.
Gennum have developed the In-Ear Sound design utilizing the power and flexibility of their Voyager DSP platform. Both monitor and ambient sound can be mixed independently therefore enabling the musician to keep in contact with the audience and fellow musician without compromising monitor input.
Monitor and ambient signals can be equalized and compressed independently, optimized and stored on a PC or MAC and loaded onto Sound Design for use in a performance.
|
