Ok, so I haven't done one of these in a while, and I figured it was definitely time.  Usually these things are pining over items that I want, but will never have.  Today, I want to talk about two things that I actually have (if only fairly recently).  Awesome stuff.  First of all:

1. Custom Molded In-Ear Monitors from hearyourself.com!

First off, I'm all about the in-ears.  Just about anybody who's played a gig or a service with me in the last 6 or so years knows that.  I'm totally sold out to them, and I'm excited to see them really becoming the standard for churches as well as other gigs that I play.  After years of being the only guy on the team using them at several different churches, I was finally able to switch Centerpoint's entire monitor system to IEMs last March, a decision that has proven to have been a good one over and over again in the months that have followed.  Two years ago I finally broke down and bought my own Shure wireless setup, and I've been using the included E-2s since that time.  They're decent earpieces, but I was still longing for custom molds (who isn't?)  That's when I found out about hearyourself.com.

I'm not going to get into all the details here (you can check those out on the website for yourself), but suffice it to say that hearyourself sells custom molded single, dual and triple driver earpieces in fixed and removable cord models, as well as retrofit molds for other manufacturer's models.  And oh yeah, the prices are RIDICULOUSLY low!  The single drivers start at $150.  Custom Molded IEMs for $150!  I was able to use a couple of eBay/Paypal discounts and get dual drivers for less than $200.  Incredible value, and frankly, they rock.  I've used them for four services now at Centerpoint, and couldn't be happier.  Not only that, but the company is completely dedicated to making a truly customized product that's exactly what the customer wants.  They worked through all my options with me until we arrived at what I really wanted.  If you're looking for custom earpieces, you owe it to yourself to check this company out.  I'm sure glad I did!

2.  Remo Tubanito

Simply put, this drum rocks!  A few months ago I started looking for a "compact conga" of sorts to use for living room shows and to fit into my existing drum and percussion setups (not to mention my apartment!)  I had looked at the LP compact congas in the past and wasn't impressed, and also has a chance to check out Pearl's new travel conga, but it didn't really do anything for me, either (not to mention that both of those drums are pretty pricey for what they do!).  Then I stumbled upon this baby.  Obviously designed with the same types of applications in mind, but less expensive and a lot more, well... synthetic.  I was skeptical, but I decided to go down to the shop and play one.  I fell in love.  This drum is a little less concerned with replicating exact conga sounds, but it makes up for it by being a really versatile, unique hand drum in it's own right.  In the couple of months I've had it I've played it miked and unmiked in quite a few different rooms.  I've played it (obviously) with my hands, but I've also used brushes and mallets.  I've tuned it high, low, and in between.  No matter what I've thrown at it, it has performed flawlessly.  This is a carload worth of sounds in a 10" drum.  Easily worth the investment.

So there you have it!  That's what I'm all geeked up about right now.  More to come down the road, I'm sure!  Anything new and great in your neck of the woods?

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