From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson
Gig Gab - The Working Musician's PodcastShow Notes
Ready to make the leap from wedges to in-ear monitors? Or finally get the stage mix you’ve always wanted? Dave Hamilton welcomes back monitor engineer Paul Klimson, the man who mixed 32 stereo IEM feeds for Justin Timberlake, for a working musician’s deep dive on monitor world. You’ll learn how to build a default mix from scratch (start yourself at 0dB, your instrument at -5, everything else at -15), why drummers have an easier transition to in-ears than most assume, and how a split snake lets you take care of yourself when the gig demands it. Paul digs into hi-hat pitfalls, drum overheads as stage wash, and why bands who mix themselves on stage make life better for their FOH engineer, too.
Then it gets practical. Paul walks you through IEM fittings (pain is always bad, the seal is everything, and yes, drop an AirTag in your case) plus the universal-versus-custom decision, vetting vendor customer service before you buy, and the repair costs nobody talks about until they need to. You’ll get honest talkback etiquette (keep the drama off-stage, give everyone a voice, remember that your monitor engineer is a short-order cook), the post-mortem habit every band should adopt, and a peek at SoulSeed.tv. Wherever you sit on stage, this is the episode that sharpens how you Always Be Performing.
00:00:00 Gig Gab 532 – Monday, May 4th, 2026
May 4th: Dave Brubeck Day
Guest co-host: Paul Klimson
00:03:24 Start with headphones in your practice space
Start with earplugs
00:05:09 Drums are a dynamic instrument, which may be why drummers have an easy transition to IEMs (usually)
00:08:33 What do you want in your wedge?
What’s your reference?
00:09:11 The artist/engineer relationship
00:11:03 Building a default mix
Start yourself at 0dB
Instrument at -5dB
Everything else at -15dB
00:12:58 Using a Split Snake
When possible, take care of yourself
00:14:47 Timing of a mix
Don’t forget about hi-hats
Work with your engineer to dial-in your own mix
00:19:18 Drum overheads for stage wash effect
00:22:21 In-ears help you listen better
Bands who mix themselves on stage makes your ears AND the FOH engineers job ears
00:23:54 Learn where you and your instrument fit into the mix of your band
And change it if you don’t fit. You’re not the most important thing!
00:26:40 What’s going to make you stand out when someone comes to see you at clubs of any size?
Do you hear the lyrics?
Do you hear the intent of the story of the song?
Watch your instagram videos and evaluate honestly
00:30:28 Knowing when the studio mix is done.
00:33:27 Fittings for IEMs
Things to look for:
Pain is bad
Is the seal functioning correctly?
Listen for sound leakage (including when you open your mouth and move around)
Are the ports aimed down the canal wrong
Do you hear high-end better when you rock the mold around?
00:37:36 Put an AirTag in your IEM case!
00:39:28 Figuring out which model to order
Try universal fits first to learn the musical qualities
00:41:16 Test the customer service of vendors before you choose
00:42:55 The origin of IEMs
00:44:44 Find out repair costs
Comply Foam Strips
00:48:20 Talkback Use
Keep the drama off-stage
Give everyone a voice
Monitor engineers are like short-order cooks… be kind!
00:58:23 Always post-mortem the problems from the gig
And also “what happens if?” conversations
01:03:22 Soulseed.TV
01:06:05 Gig Gab 532 Outtro
Follow Paul Klimson
SoulSeed.tv
@TheRoadieClinic
Contact Gig Gab!
@GigGabPodcast on Instagram
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The post From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer’s Playbook with Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 532 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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