One of the main selling points for In-Ear monitors is that, if used properly, they protect your hearing.
ASI Audio x Sensaphonics 3DME Active Ambient In-Ear Monitors make that easier; something Toronto-based drummer and vocalist Dean Glover immediately saw the value in after first hearing about the product and later experienced firsthand following his purchase of ASI’s pro touring version, the 3DME B2 Gen 2s in 2023.
“Whether it’s a big stage, on a festival gig, or in a club, I was having trouble because many of the cover bands I play in don’t use set lists. They call the songs out, but with the din of a club and noise on stage, I sometimes found myself asking people to repeat themselves. So I was intrigued by the idea that the 3DMEs had ambient mics. Having a monitor mix and bringing up the ambient stage sound, it’s the best of both worlds.”
By day, Glover is an Instructor of Sociology and Humanities in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning at Humber College – a gig he took on after years of touring professionally with various indie and cover bands based in and around the GTA.
Glover now performs in what he calls "a semi-professional” capacity with various bands, notably 'The James Clark Institute' (an original band currently recording with producer/Pursuit of Happiness front man, Moe Berg) and 'Tom Petty’s Greatest Hits Live,' whose faithful renditions of Petty’s music have garnered positive feedback from audiences and the industry alike.
Glover experimented with IEMs previously after noticing some issues in his perception of high frequencies. “I’m 52, so I’ve been doing this for a long time and started having a bit of anxiety because people would call out a song, and I couldn’t always hear them. That’s where the 3DMEs came in.”
Now, when someone calls an audible, it’s actually audible, he says, adding that the 3DMEs have helped him adapt his mix as his stage setup evolves. “One of the bands I play with started implementing backing tracks, so I’m using a playback module and (drum) pads. Now, not only can I have all that in my ears, but I can dial up the ambient microphones to hear the band so I don't feel cut off from them.” Additionally, Glover uses his 3DMEs exclusively in rehearsals where he has to sing and/or add electronic drum sounds and track.
Fair to say the 3DMEs have addressed several issues for Glover handily. “That’s been my experience,” he concludes. “I’ve played large festivals and smaller gigs with the 3DMEs, and I’m loving them so far. I’m not at all regretting the purchase, and I’m excited to be able to use them more.”
3DME Helps Dean Glover Stay on Cue From Behind the Drum Set