Shure
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In-ear monitors were designed to protect the hearing of performing musicians and to replace the ubiquitous wedge-shaped monitors used in concert settings
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We had musicians use in-ear monitors for one month; they reported a dramatic change in how artists experience their performance
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The research changed Shure's in-ear monitor positioning from "hearing protection" to "performance enhancement"
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Now hear this
Shure's Personal Stage Monitors (PSM) were initially developed by Shure to protect musicians' hearing. The product vision was to replace the ubiquitous wedge-shaped monitors used in concert settings to "in-ear monitors." We had musicians use the PSM with modified wireless electronics and ear buds, testing them for one month of practice sessions and live performances. In-depth ethnographic interviews exploring their experiences followed. We found that in-ear monitors create a dramatic change in how artists experience their performance— providing a consistent stage sound the musicians had never experienced and allowing artists to control their own sound level and mix (letting the sound engineers stay focused on the "house sound" for the audience). Musicians told us the PSM markedly improved their performances. The research completely changed Shure's in-ear monitor positioning from the boring "hearing protection" to the exciting "performance enhancement." |
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