S6E11: Pro Tip - DIY Custom Molded In Ear Monitors (version 2.0!!)

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If you've been thinking about trying some custom molded in ear monitors for your live playing, or even in the recording studio, we've got the pro tip for you. One of our channel's most popular videos was a couple years ago, when I took you through the process of creating your very own custom molded in ear monitors at a very affordable price point. This video is an updated version of that original one, with a couple new tips and techniques. So, if you've ever asked the following questions, we've got the answers for you!
Have you ever wondered what kind of in-ear monitors professional musicians use? There’s a good chance that they’re using earpieces that have been custom molded to their specific ear canals. Although it’s certainly possible for people to go out and pay for companies to make them for you, there’s a REALLY good chance you’re going to pay an arm and a leg for them (~$1000 or more)!! However, for the savvy Hobby Musician, with a ten dollar ear plug kit and a little craftiness, you can create custom molded tips for whatever monitors you might already have! In this episode, I’ll take you through the process from start to finish, giving you tips and advice along the way.
By the end of this video, I hope you can see how simple and affordable this whole process is! Thank you so much for watching and as always, until next time...play on my friends, play on!


00:00 Intro
1:14 Items/Process Overview
4:22 Initial Monitor Prep
7:52 Molding Process
13:58 Drilling Final Holes
19:02 Outro

[TheHobbyMusician]

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[kota_imagery]

I was going to do this in a specialty shop but I do believe you just saved me at least 150 EUR. Thank you good sir!

[adamp]

I could have spent $600 for my 10 yr old drummer getting in-ears only to have to get them again multiple times as he grows. I did exactly as you laid out in this video (I wound up taking a dental floss pick and perforating where the in-ear would have come out and pulling that plug out after 5 minutes of pulling the mould out of his ear. I didn’t have a dremel tool and this worked great.

I spent about $45 total and they work PERFECTLY! They sound great (per my son) and they fit snug.

I would recommend to have someone else administer the process instead of doing it solo, like I did with my son.

Thanks so much!!

[jaaxxone]

This is indeed one of the best videos on this topic on YT! I have one tip that might be helpful. Before you drill/dremel/carve the sound port, pop them into a ziplock in the freezer for 30 minutes or so. Stiffens them up, making them quite a bit easier for forming the holes with precision. If you really freeze them good, you can even do some light sanding on the outer perimeter.

[alphacharlie]

I’m not a musician but I enjoy music and want to make my wireless headphones more comfortable. This video is very detailed and I look forward to giving it a try. Thanks for your help.

[FranckBassist]

Thank you sir!!! Ran into your video just in time! I was going to contact a company nearby that makes those professional moldeds iem's. For me as a bassplayer, standing next to the drummer for almost my entire musical life, started at age 16 and now at 62, I should be glad that I still can hear! I will mould me some KZ's and a SE215 and give it a go!

[GarryKeas-jd]

I did this quite a few years ago using some pretty nice Sennheiser earbuds (just for listening to music, I can't play anything). I used the Decibulls heat molded inserts and was generally pleased with the results. I was a bit disappointed in the final fit after some time. I like the tip you've included about doing the molding with your mouth open to open the ear canals a bit more. I'm getting ready to do this again with a couple of pairs of bluetooth earbuds and stumbled across this video. Thanks for the tips.

[Mattguitarmania]

Thank you for this helpful and informative video demonstration. You answered questions I didn’t even know I would have. It shows you put a lot of thought and preparation into it. Thanks again!

[simonfarmery]

I'm looking at getting some custom molds made, but I want to make sure that the IEM's I have are going to good enough before I spend all the money. Thank you for the tip!!

[CNMaye]

Excellent! The best explanation and demonstration I've ever seen! Well Done!!!

[DougCRood]

Great video! Im a bass player, and for IEMs, I use a set of KZ ZS10 Pros and Comply foam tips, but I have small ear canals and they dont fit well. Last gig was a pickup gig. House provided PA and monitors, so didnt use the IEMs. Big mistake! I realized during the show I needed a set of IEMs, and wantwd to go molded, but $$ was.out of sight. Ran across your vid, and now I'm gonna mold a set for my KZs. Thanks for the info!

[RichelleHeacock]

Thank you so much! I’m going to try this I’ve been wanting custom in ear monitors for some time but they’re so darn expensive! I don’t need $900 monitors, I just want a good fit. Very excited to try this method so thank you very much. You were very clear in yourdelivery and instructions and I really appreciate that

[johndickason]

This an amazing technique that I’ve been doing even with just off together shelf earbuds. I found that this technique, used with Skullcandy Fix old school earbuds is awesome. For me, this technique works better with earbuds that do not use silicone tips. That type of earbud requires an airtight seal on the ear canal. Even though these DIY molds are good, the ear canal seal isn’t totally airtight.

[barrydee]

Saw the video. Nicely done. In your estimation, how far “in or deep “ are you pressing to get the mold. How hard are you applying pressure. Thanks

[redshot]

For owners of IEMs that have filters on the sound ports: ALWAYS USE THE PLASTIC WRAP TECHNIQUE!!
If you don't, the moisture from the putty will be absorbed by the mesh, permanently blocking the sound and will leave you no choice but to remove it!

This happened with my ATH-E70's, I had to remove the tiny 1-2mm diameter filters.

That being said, I tried this method years ago with some Sennheiser in-ears and worked really well.

[sodoberman]

Just Did this on my KZ KQS
I actually used half of a half.... quarter? Per ear
And I don't have tiny ears

I WOULD ADVISE doing the Saran Wrap thing on your Monitors before your mold

I pulled off the cover of one monitor when extracting the IEMs from the mold

I'll get it back on but the 10s of extra prep saves you possible problems later

Other than that slight wrinkle
It is as straightforward as you said
Thanks for the run through 🎉

[trubadyr]

It's just a great, helpful guide. Thank you, sir! Thumbs up! You only needed to use a word “anatomically” instead of “physiologically”.

[TheEnd-vnrb]

I got some! Can’t wait to get these setup. Any problems with them falling out when sweat accumulates on stage?

[lap]

Couldn't find radians in sweden, but i found something similar, gonna do it this weekend!

[jhm]

Great video! Very useful. I'm looking forward to starting rehearsals with everyone on in-ears. Do you have a setup recommendation for a budget-friendly option that can accommodate 5 band members, preferably connected to a wireless in-ear monitor mixer?