Mixing for In-Ear Monitors

The goal

Every player on stage should hear themselves clearly, hear the click, hear the vocalist, and not be drowning in the kick drum. Everything else is a bonus, not a requirement.

The build order

1. Click.
2. Lead vocal.
3. The player’s own instrument.
4. Kick and bass as a pair, low but present.
5. Whatever they’re harmonizing with — usually another vocal or the keys pad.
6. Everything else, as low as it can go while still being there.

A rule that saves hours

Mix from the least experienced player’s ears out. If the newest drummer on the team can follow the song with their current mix, the veterans will be fine.