I have used two different setups for headphone monitors.

The first, and much more affordable. A headphone amp running off the mixing boards aux returns. This puts the responsibility of mixing the monitors into the sound techs hands, and limits the amount of mixes to the amount aux returns the mixing board has.

The second, and the one I recommend if the proper budget is available. Aviom personal monitoring systems. It allows each musician to have there own personal mix and relieves the sound tech of most of the responsibility in for mixing the monitors. As a musician, it's like playing in monitor heaven.

As for ear-buds, everybody seems to have there own way of doing it. Some make the team buy there own, and have more traditional headphones available for those who don't. Another way I've see it done is for the church to buy ear buds like these that have interchangeable sleeves that can be purchased; then make every make every team member responsible for purchasing/keeping up with there own sleeves.

@tlattimore, thanks for the info. I have already passed this on to some of our church staff. An Aviom types system is definitely what I prefer if we can swing the cost. This is a huge help. Thanks!

We've had Aviom in our youth facility since it opened, and it's in the budget for main sanctuary this year.

It works great, sounds good, and the only issue I'm aware of is that you need to push the signal pretty hot into it. The hot inputs are for two reasons. First, that's the only way you'll get a mix the musicians like. Second, the digital nature of the system acts as a limiter. If the signal is already hot, screeching feedback can only add so much more to the level before all the ones are on.

It recently occurred to me that most of our musicians and vocalists really don't know how to mix. We hand them a blue box and say "go mix your own" but they don't really get it. Aviom have a short video that demonstrates the mixer and how to use it.

A-16II Personal Mixer Guided Tour (YouTube)

We'll be purchasing ear buds for everyone. One of our techs wrote the following back in January:

We currently have Shure SCL-3, Sennheiser IE4, and A/T EP3 in-ears. The Shure's are ok, but are 3x the price of the Sennheisers and break at the drop of a hat. THe Sennheisers are more robust and (according to our bass players and drummers) have much better low-end response. We just got the A/T's...no one but me have used them yet, but I'm so impressed I want some...they sounded really good to my deaf ears.

If I recall correctly, everyone likes the A/T's the best now, but I'd have to verify that. These will be the house ears we provide.

FWIW, I'm quite happy with my Etymotic ER6 earbuds. Other than needing to clean out the tips every once in a while, I've never had a problem with them.

Our Worship Pastor is getting a custom set made, and we're encouraging the others to do the same. They'll have to pay for their own, of course, but it's a good investment. I'll probably buy a pair as soon as I can afford them.

Here's what we're looking at for those: http://mylivewires.com/

We're also looking at Butt Kickers for bass and drums. We're hoping to get a demo on those before committing to purchase. Here are some links about those:

• http://www.churchsoundguy.com/2010/01/my-experienc...
• http://www.ccisolutions.com/StoreFront/product/gui...
• http://www.ccisolutions.com/StoreFront/product/gui...
• http://www.buttkickergear.com/ButtKicker_Musicians...

I'll give a full report after we've done the migration.

Micah

Working in live sound and installs we get to see many different implementations of IEM systems. The one I am most impressed with and now use myself is the SamePage Music system. I get digital sheet music on my touchscreen as well as a choice of 32 channels to mix 16 channels on screen. It is also extremely user friendly. I am now also a dealer.
Check it out:

www.samepagemusic.com

Tell them Keith from IMAV sent you. They have a free webinar demo.
You should really check them out before you buy anything else. I was able to sell my old setup to a traveling band so I didn't take a big hit to move to SamePage.
One of my favorite features is that when I build my playlist, it loads it in MediaShout for me. And when the spirit leads I can add a song in seconds without chasing paper. These on-the-fly changes are reflected immediately in MediaShout as well. I can also send messages to the other SamePage stations.

If you're in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri, I will come to your church to demo the system.
As long as I can be back at my church on Sunday.

hit me at keith@imav.us

Forgot to add my piece about ear buds. Heard many, settled on Westone Dual Drivers. I use the custom molded Dual Drivers but the universal UM2 is very nearly as good, only because my ear canal shape allows them to fall out easily. I have many customers that really like the UM3x, which is a triple driver. These are mid range in price, starting around $400.
For the $100 pair it's a crowded field with many that sound great. Most of my customers end up using ones that have the crushable foam tips. You crush/spin them with your fingers then insert them and they expand to fit your ear canal perfectly. Also, the foamies are cheap and allow you to change frequently if you have to share with someone. Hopefully not, but just sayin'.
A word of warning: The first few weeks you will have to get used to hearing your voice in your head, and having that closed off feeling. Use an omni-directional mic somewhere away from acoustic drums, but not too far from the stage if not on it. Most times I run it through the mixer on "pre-fader" and tape the fader down so it doesn't get in the FoH mix. It's amazing how much this helps to keep you "connected" with the others.
Above all else--------If you are going to use IEM's-----USE A SYSTEM THAT HAS A LIMITER!!!!