I think that in-ears disconnect you from your congregation, and need a VERY critical balancing of the mix that it is fed. A hotspot type monitor is a LOT more forgiving, easier to adjust on the spot (you in ear mix is going to be controlled by the mixer) and, if bad things happen, feedback or a sudden blast from an incorrect patch or registration isn't going straight in your ear canal!

I have two of the Mackie SRM-150's. Yes, they are a tad pricey, but you get a LOT of options that other hotspots don't give you. They are also weak in the bass area (something that is actually a PLUS in a monitor). It is altogether way to easy to muddy up your sound, and play much louder than you need to be with bigger monitors. The Mackies, to my ears, provide JUST what you need, and little of what you don't, in a compact and well designed footprint.

Highly recommended.

Thanks Diki, I have gathered by other recommendations that the ear monitor might not be the answer. In view of your post, I have decided to lend the church my two CM30's. I can snake a cord up around the choir loft I guess. If I am coming from the laptop to the Peavy 600 to the mains, I have a Behringer Euro(passive) that I can use to send another feed to the powerd monitors. Right ?

Another thought is the cable needed to run about 40 ft. Since it is to a powered speaker, I can't use unshielded speaker wire, but can I use smaller RCA cable. The answer probably is no.

Bernie,
You have a Bose system, I thought you could hear those speakers equally across a room. If you were to place the speaker closer to her and I am sure you will be able to hear it also.

Unless you need to keep the volume at a low level and the piano is over shadowing the speakers. Why not two 8” or 10” self powered speakers placed behind both of you -- controlling the balance with your mixer.

I always try to think less stuff. That also relates to fewer problems also.

John C.

Bernie, that is why the Mackies have balanced ins as well as unbalanced 1/4" and RCA inputs. You never know WHAT you might need for monitoring. Best to have ALL the options (including phantom, and a hi-z guitar input)...

The Mackies are lower profile, should not intimidate anyone, too.

John
I think the Roland CM30's placed close to each of us will suffice, as the mains(Community) will be enough for the congregation. Remember this is a subdued background accompaniment and we are not amplified. I am not using either Bose because I am trying to avoid carrying my own gear to church every week. Besides, I have learned that if you keep bringing your own equipment, there never seems to be room in the budget for upgrading their own.

Try using what you already have.

Take a Record Out line from that PA to the RCA input on the Concorde.


--Mac

Gotta' agree with Mac on this. You have what you need to make everything work.

One thing that comes to mind, though, is there are a lot of players, piano, guitar, etc.., that cannot handle the regimented beat of an arranger keyboard, drum machine or midi file. This may be part of the problem. I had a bass player many years ago that could not follow the drummer, and neither of them could keep time with a metronome. It was a constant problem that was only resolved when the band broke up.

Good Luck,

Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 09-22-2009).]

Gary many people are just born like that its not their fault they just dont have rhythm & it always shows in their playing couple that with people that read and you have a very weird robotic soulless performance.....timing is everything.

Mac
Never thought of that, but doubt the piano player will get in the groove that way.

Donny and Gary
I know most classically trained pianist are to rigid to follow a beat, but she seems to. Only time will tell