We use a RML32AI (Ver. 9244) mixer with our 5 piece band. When completely setup for a show we have 18 inputs and use 5 Aux outs. All of the Aux outs are for individual monitoring. Four of them are feeding either a Rolls PM55 or the Berhinger PM1 personal in ear headphone pack. Our drummer, although using Vdrums, uses a traditional wedge, so he can get some thump. Personally, I will start the show where I like every input to be on my mix. All of us do this at sound check. Then about 3 songs in it seems some channels start going way up, or way down in our individual Aux mix. We have a sound engineer taking care of FOH. All of our Aux mix channels are set to Pre fader. Our sound engineer does not get into the Aux mixes unless a member specifically ask him to make an adjustment. So since I know the sound engineer is not making adjustments to the Aux, and everything set to Pre, why does everyone struggle with instrument dropout? I have made sure everyone's "patches" with their instrument processors are as close to unity as we can get them. So we rarely clip a channel on sound check. Our FOH guy does not gain stage to unity. He likes all of our inputs to average out around -8 db so he has plenty of headroom. At a show, we will have 5 wireless devices hooked up to the mixer. FOH has 2 ipads with global control. 3 ipads in the band with Aux control only. I mix for my IEM, the wedge, and the other guitarists IEM.
I am nowhere near an experienced FOH guy, so I haven't done anything with the mixes I control other than levels and a little EQ. Should I be compressing these mixes? Setting the limiter. I am not looking for a perfect reproduction of the main mix, I just a consistent mix, because I am not getting that now. I will preface this with, the levels from one patch to the next are checked on a regular basis, so we don't have the big volume spikes. But in my personal mix one song will be fine, next song I can't hear the keys, I make the adjustment, I hear keys but the bass drops out, make the adjustment, ooh the Rhythm guitarist vocals are way to hot.
I feel like I am chasing my tail all night long.
Any tips or tricks or go to articles for IEM monitoring settings?