What is a stage monitor?

What is a stage monitor?

A stage monitor is used for the musician or vocalist to hear themselves so that they are more likely to stay in tune and in perfect timing. There are several different types of monitors including the stage wedge, side fill, and IEM or In Ear Monitors.

The wedge monitor used in front of the stage because it is unobtrusive and does not block the audiences view of the performance. A wedge monitor is usually a speaker cut off at an angle or it can be super laid back such as the 12MO1 by Podium Pro Audio, this is so the angle of the speaker is pointed directly towards the performers head so they can hear more effectively.

Side-fills are generally larger, full-range speaker systems placed off to the side of the stage like Podium Pro Audio's Trap15. The purpose of side-fills is to provide the performers a more enveloping and well-balanced sound. This allows all performers to hear a good rough mix of the whole band, while still allowing for individual mixes to be provided for individuals at their position on the stage via wedge monitors. It is widely believed that the more full stage mix inspires better and more coherent performances among musicians. In past few years technology has made it possible to achieve a pretty full sounding mix at each position with relatively small wedge monitors so side-fills have begun to be used less.