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Rob Thomas Sharp on Sennheiser

As wireless monitor systems are increasingly adopted by artists, monitor engineers are having to learn new techniques for mixing ears as opposed to traditional wedges. Chris Sharp, monitor engineer for Rob Thomas, who is currently touring the U.S. with Sennheiser EW300IEMG2 wireless personal monitor systems, as well as an SKM935G2 series RF microphone and EM550G2 dual channel receiver, has observed several major

improvements with the more widespread use of wireless monitors.

Thomas, front man and singer with matchbox twenty, is currently touring in support of his debut solo album, "...something to be," using the new Sennheiser wireless EW300IEMG2 - but he's not the only one using wireless monitors. "This is the first time that I have mixed a band that is completely on ears," says Sharp, who notes that the only amp-driven monitor on stage is a drum thumper.

But the difference between Thomas' Sennheiser personal monitor system - which includes Ultimate Ears molds - and the brand that the rest of the band is using is "a night and day difference," says Sharp. "I'm really impressed. I can hear things a lot more distinctly and everything sounds a lot wider. There's more stereo imaging. You can really put up a good mix because of the sound and the tonal quality."

As for the SKM935G2 wireless vocal mic, it not only provides exemplary sound quality, but it also benefits the monitor mix. "I went from the 835 to the 935 capsule," reports Sharp. "We're really happy with the new capsule, and it makes life a lot easier, because now I don't have to mix around the snare. With the old capsule, I was picking up too much drum kit. Now, I actually have to add a little bit of snare to the mix."

Sharp's goal is to get every musician on personal monitors, he says, not only for the health aspect but also because of the control it provides the FOH mixer. "It could probably save lots of ears from hearing damage from loud SPLs on stage." One major side benefit, he says: "The more band members on ears, generally, the lower the stage volume, which equals a happy front-of-house mix. It makes life easier for the front-of-house engineer who doesn't have to fight the volume of the wedges blowing into a mic."

According to Sharp, the increased use of wireless systems such as those from Sennheiser have had a major impact on touring, allowing for cleaner stages with less cabling on-deck. RF systems have also impacted the monitor engineer's workload. "I feel I constantly try to stay on top by learning new pieces of RF gear and new methods to improve their effectiveness." And, he warns, "You have to do your homework and know what frequencies you are using as well as other bands on a particular gig site in order to avoid train wrecks."

But in another sense, wireless monitors have reduced the workload, he continues. "The main difference between mixing wedges and ears is that, when mixing wedges, I tend to spend a lot of time setting delay times on crossovers. I time align my center wedge mix to my sidefills so that I can increase my gain before feedback and keep the quality of my mixes without having to over-EQ. Ear molds take away the whole time alignment issue."

One of the most distinctive vocalists and gifted songwriters in contemporary music, Rob Thomas has written a string of chart-topping hits that have garnered him three Grammy Awards and 13 BMI Awards, including both songwriter and song of the year. He was named Billboard's "Songwriter of the Year" two years in a row. Combining all of his projects, Thomas has contributed to the sales of over 75 million records.

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Rob Thomas Sharp on Sennheiser

22nd November 2005

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