From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson

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
    • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
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