REO guitarist Dave Amato’s secret weapon: Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient® IEM System
Dave Amato
When it comes to their equipment, classic rock musicians know what they need and what they like. And lead guitarist Dave Amato of REO Speedwagon has become a huge fan of the Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient IEM System he bought a couple years ago.
“My problem with regular in-ears was that I couldn’t hear my rig,” he explains. “The ambient system lets me dial in that outside world, as much of it as I need. Now I have a full band mix from monitor world, plus I can hear my whole rig, including the effects. It’s the perfect thing for guitarists.”
When REO Speedwagon decided to move to IEMs several years ago, Amato was far from enthusiastic. “Originally, I fought against it, because I knew I needed to hear my amp,” he recalls. “So like a lot of guys, I ended up using only one ear on stage. In fact, I used to cut off one earpiece. But that meant my stage mix was mono, and I had to turn it up pretty loud to hear everything. When I developed ringing in one ear, I knew I had to find another solution.”
The risk to hearing health from wearing only one earpiece is considerable. Not only does this expose the open ear to uncontrolled stage volume, but the artist must also turn up the volume of the single in-ear monitor to compensate.
Sensaphonics founder and president Dr. Michael Santucci explains, “This is actually one of the biggest dangers to hearing health in touring sound today. People think of in-ear monitors as hearing protection, but when they remove one earpiece, they are actually putting themselves at greater risk of excessive exposure. By allowing the performer to hear both the in-ear mix and stage sound with both earpieces in place, the 3D Active Ambient is the only system that addresses this issue.”
The Sensaphonics 3D system uses tiny microphones embedded in soft silicone custom earphones to pick up stage sound and lets the artist add it to the monitor mix as desired. It proved to be the perfect solution for Dave Amato. “At first, I had to have it explained to me, because it really is a different technology from regular in-ears,” says Amato. “But when I put them on for the demo, I was like, ‘wow, this is amazing.’ I knew I had to have them. Now I just wish I had done it sooner.”
Another benefit of the 3D system is that, with both earpieces always in place, Amato can listen at a more reasonable volume. “What’s cool is that I’m hearing everything I need, and it feels as loud as before, but the dBs are definitely lower,” he says. “And my ears don’t ring so much anymore, which is really a beautiful thing.”
With REO Speedwagon’s heavy touring schedule, it’s important for Amato to have the right equipment, and the 3D Active Ambient system has become an integral part of his rig. “It’s really an incredible piece of technology, and I think every guitarist should check it out. It’s the perfect thing for what I do.”
The Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient IEM System consists of a pair of custom earphones, available in single- or dual-driver configuration, and a compact bodypack mixer, which allows the artist to add the desired amount of ambience to the IEM mix. Like all Sensaphonics earphones, the earpieces are made of soft-gel silicone for maximum comfort and isolation. Systems start at $2,000 and will be available for demonstration at the upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim, Booth 6950 in Hall A. For full information, please visit www.sensaphonics.com.