Personal Monitor Mixers: Individual Control for Every Performer

Personal monitor mixers revolutionize stage monitoring by placing mix control in performers’ hands. Instead of relying on the monitor engineer to adjust levels, each performer controls their own balance of inputs. This approach speeds soundcheck, eliminates mid-song communication with engineers, and produces mixes tailored to individual preferences.

How Personal Monitor Systems Work

Personal monitor systems distribute individual audio channels from the main mixer to compact mixing devices at each performer position. Each device receives all available channels and allows local mixing without affecting other performers’ mixes.

Digital audio networking makes personal monitoring practical. Systems use proprietary protocols like Behringer’s Ultranet, Allen & Heath’s ME, or Aviom’s Pro16 to transmit multiple channels over single cable runs. These networks carry 16 or more channels bidirectionally with minimal latency.

Each performer’s mixing unit provides level control, mute, and often EQ or effects for all received channels. The mixed output feeds an in-ear monitor system or local wedge. Changes made at one position do not affect any other performer’s mix.

The main mixer engineer maintains control of input gain, routing, and which channels feed the personal monitor network. Individual performers only affect their local mix from the channels the engineer chooses to provide.

Popular Personal Monitor Systems

The Behringer P16 system offers affordable personal monitoring with 16 channels per mixer. The P16-M personal mixers connect to P16-D distribution hubs via Ultranet over standard CAT5 cable. Compatibility with Behringer X32 and Midas M32 mixers simplifies integration for users of those consoles.

Allen & Heath ME personal monitoring integrates with their dLive, Avantis, and SQ digital mixers. The ME-1 personal mixer provides 40 input channels with onboard EQ and ambient microphone mixing. The ME-500 offers similar features in a more compact form factor.

Aviom pioneered personal monitoring with Pro16 systems. The A360 personal mixer provides 36 channels with sophisticated grouping and stereo/mono flexibility. While more expensive than budget alternatives, Aviom systems serve professional touring productions reliably.

Roland M-48 personal mixers work with their digital snake systems, offering 40 inputs with dedicated reverb and ambient processing. The build quality suits demanding touring applications.

System Setup and Signal Flow

Signal distribution begins at the main mixer. Digital outputs or dedicated personal monitor network outputs feed distribution hardware. This distribution point fans signals to all personal mixing positions via network cabling.

Cable runs from distribution to personal mixers typically use standard CAT5 or CAT6 cable. These affordable cables allow long runs without the cost of multipair analog snake cable. Single cable connections at each position simplify stage setup.

Personal mixer outputs connect to IEM transmitters or powered wedges. Some systems include built-in headphone amplifiers for wired monitoring. The output represents that performer’s custom mix of all available inputs.

Power for personal mixers comes through various methods depending on the system. Some systems provide Power over Ethernet (PoE), eliminating separate power supplies at each position. Others require local power at each mixer location.

Benefits for Bands

Soundcheck time decreases dramatically. Rather than cycling through each performer’s requests one at a time, all performers simultaneously dial in their mixes. The monitor engineer remains available for help but handles fewer individual adjustments.

Mid-performance adjustments happen without communication breakdown. A performer wanting more bass in their mix simply turns up the bass channel rather than signaling the monitor engineer, waiting for attention, explaining the need, and hoping for correct response.

Mix quality improves when performers control their own balance. No interpreter stands between what the performer wants and what they receive. Personal preferences translate directly to personal mixes.

Reduced monitor sends from the main console simplifies overall signal routing. Rather than managing eight or more aux sends for individual wedge mixes, the engineer manages fewer outputs feeding the personal monitor network.

Best Practices for Implementation

Channel naming and organization help performers navigate their mixers quickly. Clear source identification prevents confusion about which control affects which input. Grouping related sources—all drums together, all vocals together—speeds mix navigation.

Default mixes provide starting points for performers unfamiliar with personal mixing. The system administrator can create baseline mixes that performers modify to taste. These defaults prevent performers from facing blank slates at soundcheck.

Training performers on their mixers prevents frustration during shows. Even intuitive interfaces require some orientation. Brief pre-show tutorials ensure everyone understands basic operations.

Master control retention at FOH allows intervention when performers create problems. A performer accidentally muting their own input creates silence without knowing why. The engineer maintaining overview access can identify and correct such errors.

Limitations to Consider

Cost scales with performer count. Each position requires a personal mixer unit, with prices ranging from $200 for budget options to $1,500 for professional units. A five-piece band needs five mixers plus distribution hardware.

Complexity increases despite advertised simplicity. Network configuration, channel routing, and troubleshooting require technical knowledge beyond basic analog monitor systems.

Some performers prefer traditional monitoring with an engineer managing their mix. Not everyone wants the responsibility of real-time mix control during performance. Hybrid approaches serving some performers traditionally and others with personal mixers accommodate varying preferences.

Audio quality varies between systems. Budget personal monitor networks may add latency, noise, or limited frequency response compared to premium analog monitor systems or professional personal monitoring networks.