Signature for performer use (IEM)

Hi,

I'd be really grateful if anyone could advise not on specific models but on the general sound signature which is likely to suit my situation. I hope that you will forgive that although I have a rough and ready audio knowledge, I'm aware I lack the technical expertise of posters here - hence the noob question...

Originally I thought I might be able to get one IEM for multiple purposes:

1. Portable audio listening
2. Monitoring while performing music
3. Monitoring as live sound technician

Without boring you with details, having read several posts here I think I can see that would require significant compromises.

So, if I was to say the main focus was to be for use monitoring while performing, please could anyone advise what sort of signature I should be looking at?

Essential information:

1. I play keyboard and sing backing in a 4-piece band
2. The music is mainstream and balanced in instrumentation
3. The main venues are bars and the band is generally tightly packed
4. The ambient sound can frequently be very loud, highly reflective and bass-heavy due to corner effect
5. I would be listening to a monitoring mix with other instruments pushed back - I would ideally like to hear everyone clearly, but most importantly I need to hear my keyboard and my backing vocals
6. Although I might otherwise favour a colouration which enhances my vocal, it is more important not to lose spectral content from the keyboard as this tells me how the sounds are blending in
7. Vocally I am a baritone and my keyboard sounds span most of the audio spectrum

If anyone can advise the ideal signature, I will then look at the multi-reviews by ClieOS and ljokerl and decide within my budget (currently pitifully low, but hopefully increasing later!).

Thanks very much in anticipation! Gaz (Raggor)

Thanks tzjin and cj. Have just had a look at those specific suggestions...

Although those aren't at the top end of the scale, for me at the moment unfortunately that would be a significant investment which I can't yet justify . But I still hope to do as best and most appropriate as I can within my budget! 

So I'll be starting with an off-the shelf budget pair which should also inform me of more specific needs of a better pair (I plan). I'm hoping before too long I will be at that point where I can consider custom moulds - the suggestion of Clear Tune will come in then...

The TF10 is an interesting suggestion also which I quickly looked at - from a brief scout, some concerns about build quality but I think the main thing that doesn't draw me to those is they seem to be described as leaning toward a scooped profile. Assuming this is true and that tzjin has a good assessment of the ideal signature, it sounds like ideally I'm after something more the other way?

So a strong mid-range, yes?

Not knowing, I had several conflicting theories - that I might want more mid for definition, that I might want a completely flat response to get a true sound, or that I might want extra bass to compete with low-end spill and body resonance!

Ok, great I will look at mid-centric phones then - thanks again!

Thanks for the input Techno Kid and Bcool.

Definitely liking the reviews of HF5 and GR07 and price point is viable as a second step pair if you think those have good mid presence. With my current budget for a first entry into IEM though unfortunately I just can't stretch to what I would call a proper pair such as those yet! 

So just thinking about a first pair then, how about lower price GRs such as GR06 or SoundMAGIC E30 (which is actually one I first considered) as cheap substitutes for GR07? Clearly I have no illusions that I will get as good a performance out of a cheaper pair, but I must cut my cloth!...

(Sorry, I didn't plan to get into models since my options are clearly limited but the discussion seems to have gone that way!)

Thanks for the link bcool - I'm actually in the UK, guess that doesn't show on my posts! We get the same models here but prices vary differently - for that reason it might not be too meaningful to look at price, I appreciate you weren't to know that if it doesn't show on my posts so sorry if you were misled.

That said, if you happen to know of a suitable budget IEM aimed within the bracket up to about $60, chances are it would be affordable here also so I'll definitely have a look at any suggestions you might have. If not, no worries - I'm conscious that not everyone will be familiar with the price bracket and my options are also limited at the bottom.

Specifically, though, if anyone has experience of E30, low bracket GR's or comparable IEMs with the mid to flat profile needed, it would also be useful to receive opinions how they would fit this situation as a budget option. Thanks again.

Thanks that's probably enough to be getting on with - I will have a look at all of those suggestions and get back to you...