EarPeace

[chris fawcett]

EarPeace

 

Once in a while, a product comes along that just works so well, you never need to worry about it again. I really recommend you put a set of these in your kit for working in noisy environments. I got caught out once filming the Krump Kings live, and lost a couple of dBs of hearing, permanently. These only block out the loud stuff, so you still hear speech, etc., and they come in a sexy anodized aluminum carrying case. They fit and remove instantly too, are skin coloured (3 colours), and at $15 including shipping (US) are way cheaper than new eardrums :)

 

Don't get caught out too!

 

Chris

[Jason Torbitt]

Great product.

 

I'd also reccommend anyone who does a lot of live music work invests in a comms headset from Peltor. These are the same people who make the aviation comms headsets and their ear defence is well-established. I have a couple of sets and are indispensible. They also mean you can hear the director properly, too...not always a good thing.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I use the Etymotic musician earplugs and have for years. They have a non-molded version called the ER-20 Check them out

 

They also have a noise dosimeter if you want to know how bad your environment is

[Emre Tufekci]

I had custom molded ear plugs made by HearX in California a few years ago. They attenuate without muffling the sound.

 

Being a musician I also have the custom molded in-ear monitoring system that I use from time to time on a job, if I need to listen to somebody and get hearing protection at the same time.

 

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/

[Charles Papert]

Really good topic, guys. Hearing is something that we tend to take for granted especially when we are young and foolish, but in the film industry it's always surprising to me how many people won't take hearing protection when offered if there is "fire in the hole". I've always meant to get something more robust than the disposable foamies but never got around to it so this is all great info.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Really good topic, guys. Hearing is something that we tend to take for granted especially when we are young and foolish, but in the film industry it's always surprising to me how many people won't take hearing protection when offered if there is "fire in the hole". I've always meant to get something more robust than the disposable foamies but never got around to it so this is all great info.

 

 

The best solution for onset gunfire and explosions is something made for gunfire. I prefer "Electronic ears" they amplify sounds until it hits 85db then it clamps and goes into ear protection mode.

 

Peltor makes a variety of them

 

or these Howard Leight Impact sports headsets

 

 

Either way less than $100 in you set bag is CHEAP insurance

[brooksrobinson]

I also have a pair of amplified Peltor ear protectors, and I second Eric’s recommendation. Mine are great for steadicam but are a little too wide for hand-held and some studio configurations. As Eric said, they cut out loud noises above a certain decibel level, but allow you to hear people talking in a normal tone. They are great to have in the kit for pyro gags or full-load gunfire scenes.

 

While we’re on the subject of ear protection, does anyone know of something low profile that would work for gunfire or explosions in hand-held mode, when the camera body is right next to your ear? Maybe the small ear pieces Chris brought up would work for this, but I was hoping for something that really cut the noise level substantially. Thanks.

 

Brooks Robinson

[Kris Torch Wilson]

I'm on my second set of molded in ears, ordered through the music dept on our show. Wireless is not an option on our show so I took the microphone from an old headset and velcro it to the side of the camera. Thus, the wire to my ears is tiny tiny and super flexible. Best money I've spent. And when things get really obnoxious I can put my Peltors over them. Quiet is good.

[Sydney Seeber]

does anyone know of something low profile that would work for gunfire or explosions in hand-held mode

I spent 14 months in a war zone with one pair of these

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/aosinranplug.html

worked like a charm

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

While we’re on the subject of ear protection, does anyone know of something low profile that would work for gunfire or explosions in hand-held mode, when the camera body is right next to your ear? Maybe the small ear pieces Chris brought up would work for this, but I was hoping for something that really cut the noise level substantially. Thanks.

 

 

Peltor makes a low profile behind the head electronic headset that is probally what your looking for

[Matt Petrosky]

I also have a pair of amplified Peltor ear protectors, and I second Eric's recommendation. Mine are great for steadicam but are a little too wide for hand-held and some studio configurations. As Eric said, they cut out loud noises above a certain decibel level, but allow you to hear people talking in a normal tone. They are great to have in the kit for pyro gags or full-load gunfire scenes.

 

While we're on the subject of ear protection, does anyone know of something low profile that would work for gunfire or explosions in hand-held mode, when the camera body is right next to your ear? Maybe the small ear pieces Chris brought up would work for this, but I was hoping for something that really cut the noise level substantially. Thanks.

 

Brooks Robinson

 

 

Hey Brooks, I've had great experiences with these:

Pro-Ears Predator Gold Black

 

They are not cheap, but they are about as low-profile as you can get for ear-cup style protection and their technology is tops--their system doesn't clip out the audio during noise spikes (read about their technology here). Each ear-cup has it's own circuit board and independently adjustable volume level, mic gain, and speaker level. Each ear-cup also has a 3.5mm jack which is convenient if you need to hook your headset into a Comtek or radio. I have a couple pairs (different profiles/styles) that I've been using for shooting and shooting film, and they have held up well over the last three years. You can also convert these to a behind the head strap like the Peltors. And they are made in the USA.

 

The only downside is that they run on "N" size 1.5 volt batteries, which are not a common on-set size. Email me off-list if you want to borrow them to try them out. I'm not in LA now, but I can easily have a friend pull them for you. I've used them fine with Platinums and XLs handheld, but they do bang into the side a bit. I think only an in-ear design would completely avoid this.

 

-Matt

[Jason Torbitt]

While we’re on the subject of ear protection, does anyone know of something low profile that would work for gunfire or explosions in hand-held mode, when the camera body is right next to your ear? Maybe the small ear pieces Chris brought up would work for this, but I was hoping for something that really cut the noise level substantially. Thanks.

 

 

Peltor makes a low profile behind the head electronic headset that is probally what your looking for

 

Yes - I use these regularly also. There is also a version out there which has a standard cup size on the left ear, and a low profile thin cup on the right ear, to allow for the camera body on your shoulder.

[Andrew Stone]

I use the Etymotic musician earplugs and have for years. They have a non-molded version called the ER-20 Check them out

 

I am surprised the Etymotics are so inexpensive given how expensive their earphones are. Looks like both Chris's and Eric's recommendations are worth consideration. Price is similar on both units.

 

Really useful thread!

 

-Andrew

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I use the Etymotic musician earplugs and have for years. They have a non-molded version called the ER-20 Check them out

 

I am surprised the Etymotics are so inexpensive given how expensive their earphones are. Looks like both Chris's and Eric's recommendations are worth consideration. Price is similar on both units.

 

 

I have Tinitus and really only trust Etymotic with what is left of my hearing, Dr. Killion is the Garrett Brown of hearing aids/in-ear audio

[chris fawcett]

Perhaps the best feature of EarPeace is this:

 

 

The kind of case you always have with you.

 

Chris