TEST: InEar Monitoring Hearmix Pro

 I think it's fair to say that current in-ear monitoring systems have overtaken classic floor monitors. Although you can still find corresponding systems at the feet of the artists on all large stages, in the majority of cases these actually have more of a backup function than the musicians actively listening to their instruments via the floor monitors. The advantages of corresponding systems are too great compared to the classic wedges that have been found on stage for decades. However, all in-ear monitoring systems struggle with the same problem, which the German company Inear has addressed in a professional manner with its Inear Hearmix Pro.

Where is the problem?

Apart from the fact that there are quality gradations from HiFi stereo sound right down to extreme bodily harm, especially in the earphone area of in-ear monitoring systems, the advantages of in-ear systems outweigh floor monitors in many areas. Of course, the spatial independence is well known, i.e. the artist can move freely on stage and has the same sound everywhere, regardless of whether they are standing in front of a loudspeaker or not. The functions of sound dampening should also not be underestimated, especially when you are on stage with loud colleagues. Singers in particular are always very happy about the fact that you can hear yourself, which benefits your intonation and you can hear your colleagues from the crowd six-sided department that would still like to use their analogue amplifiers on stage.

However, especially with earphones in the high-priced range, which are usually adapted to the shape of your ear, the problem is that you are completely shielded from the outside world when it comes to sound. What is a very beneficial effect in terms of sound attenuation, but also brings with it the problem that you no longer hear any acoustic reaction from the audience or your bandmates on stage, unless you use comparatively complex ambient miking. There is also the problem that you become 100% dependent on the in-ear system, which is a big problem especially when, as is very common nowadays, bands no longer use amplifiers with speakers on stage, but completely Play directly into the PA with emulated sounds and you won't hear anything other than the sound of the natural drums on stage.

The third problem is that guitarists in particular, some of whom operate their analog amplifiers with corresponding loudspeakers on stage with great attention to detail, can usually do very little with the sound of an in-ear system unless they also operate it For FOH signal delivery, a complex microphone setup exclusively for your own in-ear system. The Holy Grail would therefore be a combination of both systems, i.e. you would be able to hear yourself and your colleagues on stage everywhere, as an in-ear system makes possible, but you would also be able to hear the regular stage sound depending on his position could be mixed in order to continue to guarantee natural listening behavior. Many musicians solve this by removing an earphone from their ear, but this leads to an uneven sound. The InEar company from Dieburg in Hesse is now taking on the challenge of solving this problem and has brought a piece of hardware onto the market with the Inear Hearmix Pro!

The concept of the Inear Hearmix Pro

In principle, the concept of the InEar Hearmix Pro system couldn't be simpler. The system adds two additional signals to the signal that you receive via your regular receiver, which can be continuously mixed into the receiver signal via two microphones located on the earphones. To do this, the cable that connects the earphones to the receiver must be replaced with the cable supplied, which has two small condenser microphones built into it. Depending on the earphones, you can choose between different connectors.

The central element of the Inear Hearmix Pro system is located in a small, solid, square steel housing, which could easily be described as a mixer tap. The device only has dimensions of 5.5 cm x 5.3 cm x 1.5 cm (W x H x D) and has a very solid metal clip on the back with which you can attach the product to your waistband/belt or you can attach it to your guitar strap.

The product is powered by a single AAA battery, which is secured with a solid screw cap and, in addition to the ability to connect a corresponding earphone on the side, includes an additional input for the signal emitted by the receiver. According to the manufacturer, an average alkaline battery should last around 60 hours. When the LED on the top of the housing switches from green to red, around 70% of the battery's power has been used. There is also a mixer control for the proportion of external microphones, as well as a high-pass and low-pass filter, which can be switched separately if necessary. The low pass reduces all frequencies above 8 kHz, the high pass reduces all frequencies below 100 Hz by 15 dB each. In order to be able to connect the receiver to the Inear Hearmix Pro system, a corresponding connection cable is included with the system.

Another special feature of the Inear Hearmix Pro is the fact that the system can also be used very well as active hearing protection. For example, if you just want to turn down the volume in your ears on stage, but otherwise enjoy normal analog signal playback on stage, you can use the system by placing your personal earphones in your ear, taking the appropriate sound attenuation there and with you The microphones, which are attached to the sides, can mix the stage sound continuously. The whole thing can be used both as an active musician on stage and as a spectator in the audience as a kind of luxury hearing protection with individual volume reduction.

The technical values of the Inear Hearmix Pro read as follows:

Frequency Response: 18Hz - 22kHz +/- 2dB
S/N Ratio: 70dB at 1kHz
Sensitivity: -43 dB +/- 3 dB at 1 kHz
Max. Input Sound Pessure level: 127 dB SPL

The Inear Hearmix Pro in practice

Commissioning the system is very easy. For my part, I simply unplugged the cables from the earphones and plugged in the new cables. Otherwise, connect the line cable to the headphone output of the radio receiver, done. You can continue to use the regular signal as normal and the ambient signal picked up by the microphone is only mixed in when the Inear Hearmix Pro is activated.

What needs to be taken into account, however, is that if the Inear Hearmix Pro fails for whatever reason, the entire signal is gone. Due to the special mini jack plugs, you cannot simply bridge the Hearmix and plug the plug directly into the receiver. In this respect, I think it's very good that the system allows for an extremely long operating time of 60 hours and should the device not be subjected to extremely massive mechanical stress, there should be virtually no problems in live operation.

The sound of the system is extremely neutral and everyone should find their own personal sound in the earphones by activating the high and low pass filters. What I personally found very interesting was the fact that the positioning of the microphones resulted in a sound impression, something that various hearing aid wearers had already told me some time ago. The spatial proportion compared to direct sound is significantly higher due to the lack of an ear canal, which is of course an advantage for musicians on stage, but for hearing aid wearers when it comes to speech during a conversation, especially if it takes place in a loud bar, for example. represents a real problem.

In summary, you have to give the Inear Hearmix Pro an excellent rating. The system solves a problem that every in-ear monitoring user inevitably has to deal with in a refreshingly simple way, with production, quality and workmanship representing the best Made in Germany. I can only recommend that anyone who has not yet used in-ear systems due to their hearing loss gives them a second chance and uses them together with the Inear Hearmix Pro. It will be a real enrichment for your personal enjoyment of music on stage.

Conclusion

With the Inear Hearmix Pro, the German manufacturer has a big ace up its sleeve when it comes to solving a long-known problem. By using two tiny microphones and a small control unit, the stage sound can be continuously mixed into the regular in-ear sound, thus enabling the combination of the two worlds, which were previously strictly separated from each other without ambient miking.

An outstanding tool whose value cannot be overestimated.

Top score!

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Additional Informations:

InEar Monitoring, a distinguished company nestled in Hesse, Germany, has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of professional audio equipment, particularly in the field of in-ear monitoring solutions. From its humble inception to its current status as a global leader, the journey of InEar Monitoring embodies a saga of innovation, precision engineering, and unwavering commitment to delivering superior sound experiences.

**Founding Years: A Quest for Sonic Prowess**

InEar Monitoring traces its origins to the early 2000s when a group of passionate audio engineers and musicians, driven by a shared vision to revolutionize live sound monitoring, came together in Hesse, Germany. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional stage monitoring systems, which often resulted in subpar audio quality and inconsistent performances, the founders embarked on a mission to create a solution that would empower artists to hear themselves with clarity and precision on stage.

**Innovative Solutions: Crafting the Perfect Monitor Mix**

In its formative years, InEar Monitoring focused on developing cutting-edge in-ear monitoring systems tailored to the unique needs of professional musicians, bands, and audio engineers. Drawing upon Germany's rich tradition of engineering excellence and precision craftsmanship, the company pioneered advancements in earpiece design, audio signal processing, and wireless technology to deliver unparalleled sound fidelity, comfort, and reliability.

InEar's early breakthroughs included the development of custom-molded in-ear monitors (CIEMs), which offered superior fit, isolation, and sound quality compared to off-the-shelf solutions. By utilizing state-of-the-art materials and employing proprietary manufacturing techniques, InEar ensured that each CIEM was precisely crafted to the unique contours of the wearer's ears, resulting in a snug and comfortable fit that remained secure even during the most energetic performances.

**Industry Recognition and Global Expansion: Setting New Standards**

As word of InEar Monitoring's revolutionary products spread within the music industry, the company quickly gained recognition for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Musicians and audio professionals worldwide began to embrace InEar's monitors as indispensable tools for achieving optimal sound quality and performance consistency on stage and in the studio.

Buoyed by its growing reputation and success, InEar Monitoring embarked on a journey of global expansion, establishing a network of distributors, retailers, and partners across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. The company's dedication to customer satisfaction, technical support, and after-sales service ensured that users around the world had access to premium in-ear monitoring solutions backed by unrivaled expertise and support.

**Technological Advancements: Pushing the Boundaries of Possibility**

In its relentless pursuit of sonic excellence, InEar Monitoring continued to push the boundaries of technology and innovation, introducing a steady stream of advancements and enhancements to its product lineup. From the integration of state-of-the-art drivers and acoustic components to the development of sophisticated wireless systems and digital signal processing algorithms, InEar remained at the forefront of audio engineering, consistently delivering products that set new standards for performance, reliability, and versatility.

One of InEar Monitoring's most notable achievements was the introduction of its digital wireless monitoring systems, which offered pristine audio quality, robust connectivity, and unparalleled flexibility for artists and audio engineers. By leveraging the latest advancements in digital audio transmission and signal processing technology, InEar's wireless systems provided users with the freedom to move and perform without compromising on sound quality or reliability.

**Legacy and Future Prospects: Shaping the Future of Live Sound**

As InEar Monitoring looks to the future, the company remains committed to its founding principles of innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. With a dedicated team of engineers, designers, and industry experts at its helm, InEar continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in live sound monitoring, anticipating the evolving needs of musicians and audio professionals and developing solutions that empower them to perform at their best.

In conclusion, the story of InEar Monitoring is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance. From its humble beginnings in Hesse, Germany, to its current status as a global leader in in-ear monitoring technology, InEar has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. As the company continues to evolve and innovate, its legacy as a pioneer in live sound monitoring is sure to endure, shaping the future of music performance and production for generations to come.