I've got a config which is working pretty well except for IEM latency.
Aside from mixing bands and self-mixing my acoustic roots band, I've also formed an improvisation-based roots band which uses an array of loop stations and other devices normally used by DJs and EDM acts, plus phones, tablets and even a YouRock Guitar! We use those tools, but we make roots music with them. As with DJs, our sets are continuous, with each "song" segueing to the next. And we self-mix via my DL1608 (no FOH guy).
It's exactly the kind of act which can use the main mix as the dominant sound in the IEMs, with band members able to increase the gain of whatever tool they are using via their personal Aux Sends.
We run the entire config as mono. No stereo at all.
The topology I'm working with now relies on copying the left channel of the LR Main Outs to Channel 1 on the mixer. Headphones can run directly from the Aux Out used by each member. So Channel 1 is off with regard to LR Main, but is sent to each Aux via the Channel 1 fader for each Aux. There's a slight latency, but it's better than I anticipated and works fine at gigs. Doing it like this allows me to insert a limiter over the output of each Aux, but for backup I can also insert a limiter over Channel 1 (provided I dont select pre-DSP for the Aux channels). I also use a single condensor mic in omni mode (012) located to capture the room, which each of us can dial in to taste.
The above works great with wired headphones/earbuds. Sounds superb with Etymotic ER4 earbuds. It's great to have a good feel of what the audience is
hearing, but then be able to tweak our own feeds a bit when needed, knowing it doesnt affect FOH.
I've been playing around with a few different options for low cost wireless IEM, but I've encountered too much latency when it is added to the latency already inherent in the mixer config. I reckon we could handle maybe 5ms - 7ms of additional latency for the wireless IEM transmitter/receiver.
I'm really interested in the cutting edge stuff happening over the last couple of years with WiFi audio streaming and Bluetooth audio streaming. I own two sets of WiDigital AudioLink Wifi audio streaming systems, but I only use them for delay speakers - the latency is over 20ms, which is too long on top of the latency already in my config. But given I often use small delay speakers in the region 7 metres to 15 meters from stage, the AudioLink latency is not a problem in that context.
Anyone here used any of the Bluetooth audio transmitter/receiver sets being spat out like confetti from Shenzhen over the last 9 months?
Any latency numbers?
How about 2.4GHz spectrum "audio over Wifi" devices like the Wi AudioLink?
Thanks!