New earphones?

[Chibi_Venus]

Ever since maybe late 2007, Ayu has been using new headphones. Rather than her trademark, black, bulky earphones, she's been using clear ones that fit right into the ear. (Looking at Nick's site, she started wearing them during the last CDL.)

Why is this? Is it because of her hearing? Is it because of (advancing) technology? Is it for style to make the earphones look "invisible"? Or is it a mixture of some of the above and then some?

This really has nothing to do with my crying about Ayu's hearing. I'm really just curious as to why these new earphones came into view. Any information is greatly appreciated!

[AyUta]

I believe it's for her hearing, but you never know.

[zoomzoom]

I don't know if it has anything to do with her hearing loss, but it did occur around the time she lost her hearing for good. I first noticed it when she was doing Together When promotions.

Less visible earphones have been available for years, the only reason I can think of her sticking with the bigger ones is because of comfort and being used to them. With one ear gone, I guess she decided to try new ones, which look much better.

[waterballoon]

More importantly, what is the function of the earphones? I know they connect to some box that is sewed out of all her costumes, usually located at the back of the costume. What are they for?

[pommy48]

i thought earphones are so singers can hear themselves as they're singing....?

[Jwiz]

^ i think so too, thus they are roughly gauge their vocals and won't go off-tune easily.

[jiarongisme]

It's a new version of the earpieces. You could see the other artistes (i.e. Kuu etc) using it in live performances.

It has nothing to do with her left ear.

[Moody]

Originally Posted by jiarongisme

It's a new version of the earpieces. You could see the other artistes (i.e. Kuu etc) using it in live performances.

It has nothing to do with her left ear.

That would make sense, plus I think the big black ones would look gaudy. With the clear ones with recorded/live performances they would look much more attractive since you can't see them as much.

[GRACE]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

More importantly, what is the function of the earphones? I know they connect to some box that is sewed out of all her costumes, usually located at the back of the costume. What are they for?

Originally Posted by pommy408

i thought earphones are so singers can hear themselves as they're singing....?

Originally Posted by Jwiz

^ i think so too, thus they are roughly gauge their vocals and won't go off-tune easily.

That's correct, it's so she can hear herself sing, and to add to Jwiz's comment, it's probably impossible for her to hear herself sing without them because of the instruments.

[zoomzoom]

Originally Posted by GRACE

That's correct, it's so she can hear herself sing, and to add to Jwiz's comment, it's probably impossible for her to hear herself sing without them because of the instruments.

More so, she would be singing along to the echo in the hall which is very confusing and she would go completely off tune and off tempo.

[Mari-chan]

Maybee her old one are broken.

[mikecavs11]

Ai otsuka used ones that almost are camouflaged in her 2005 tour

[Minttulatte]

I never noticed Ayu has changed her earphones. :0 But I like those. I like it how singers in Japan use those. I have seen many artists in western countries who doesn't use those and I've been wondering why. First I tought that in Japan they use those just because they want to protect their ears from losing them. Now I found the real reason behind those, thanks.

[Chibi_Venus]

Ah, you guys are great! Thanks for all of your help!

[zaqwanbadli]

So the earphone is connected to the mike or something so that she could hear her singing in the mike into her ear?

Or it works by blocking the external noise so that she could internally hear herself sing?

I'm generally curious~

[AngelSenshi]

Originally Posted by zaqwanbadli

So the earphone is connected to the mike or something so that she could hear her singing in the mike into her ear?

Or it works by blocking the external noise so that she could internally hear herself sing?

I'm generally curious~

You, personally, which sort of headphones do you use? The ones that are flat-ish, or the kind that have a little bud that goes right into your hair?

In ear monitors, which are the things most artists use for live performances, are the kind that goes right into the ear. In doing so, the sound they hear is directed straight into their ear, and at the same time, blocking some (but not all) of the outside noise. This is so you can hear the music that's around you, while the thing you hear in your ears is the sound of your own voice.

There are some singers that do things a little differently though; there are some that have the music played in one ear, and their vocals in the other.

Typically in ear monitors are unique, they're made especially for each singer. It is possible that while there isn't an outside difference between her in ear monitors, the left one might be equipped a little better in blocking the music out, simply from causing any more pain in that ear (in the case of maybe the ringing in her ear increasing as the sound around her increases).

[zaqwanbadli]

Originally Posted by AngelSenshi

You, personally, which sort of headphones do you use? The ones that are flat-ish, or the kind that have a little bud that goes right into your hair?

In ear monitors, which are the things most artists use for live performances, are the kind that goes right into the ear. In doing so, the sound they hear is directed straight into their ear, and at the same time, blocking some (but not all) of the outside noise. This is so you can hear the music that's around you, while the thing you hear in your ears is the sound of your own voice.

There are some singers that do things a little differently though; there are some that have the music played in one ear, and their vocals in the other.

Typically in ear monitors are unique, they're made especially for each singer. It is possible that while there isn't an outside difference between her in ear monitors, the left one might be equipped a little better in blocking the music out, simply from causing any more pain in that ear (in the case of maybe the ringing in her ear increasing as the sound around her increases).

Wow, you know so much! I'm using the bud ones~

I have no idea that there are some singers that use two earphones,
I usually see only one plugged-------

And I see Ayu plugs it in when it's getting noisier but takes it off when there are interactive sessions with the audience ("Boys & Girls")...

Except for TV lives, her ears were bare~

Nevertheless, thank you for the explanation!

[AngelSenshi]

Both headphones share one wire, the wire usually runs down your spine under your clothes, and with a rectangular clip at the top of your shirt that keeps the wires from sliding side to side. Its only plugged into one box that's either in the back pocket, in a pouch on the belt, or (most seen in Ayu's case) a small pouch sewn onto the back of her dresses, skirts, tops, etc.

When the noise gets louder, most people press the primary headphone further into their ear or they adjust them, simply because with movement they can slip out a bit and it doesn't sufficiently block out the background noise.

If you try speaking with the headphones deep in your ears it sounds really strange, you feel like the sound is coming out of your nose or floating around in your head. That's why she takes at least one out during the MC.

TV lives are quite strange to be honest. It really depends on the type of place you're performing in, the type of performance and so on. Certain TV lives showcase the vocals above all else for jpop singers. If you notice there are sometimes times when the music/instruments are really low compared to the vocals. In that case, in ear monitors aren't entirely necessary because you can hear yourself quite clearly over little music.

[zaqwanbadli]

Originally Posted by AngelSenshi

Both headphones share one wire, the wire usually runs down your spine under your clothes, and with a rectangular clip at the top of your shirt that keeps the wires from sliding side to side. Its only plugged into one box that's either in the back pocket, in a pouch on the belt, or (most seen in Ayu's case) a small pouch sewn onto the back of her dresses, skirts, tops, etc.

When the noise gets louder, most people press the primary headphone further into their ear or they adjust them, simply because with movement they can slip out a bit and it doesn't sufficiently block out the background noise.

If you try speaking with the headphones deep in your ears it sounds really strange, you feel like the sound is coming out of your nose or floating around in your head. That's why she takes at least one out during the MC.

TV lives are quite strange to be honest. It really depends on the type of place you're performing in, the type of performance and so on. Certain TV lives showcase the vocals above all else for jpop singers. If you notice there are sometimes times when the music/instruments are really low compared to the vocals. In that case, in ear monitors aren't entirely necessary because you can hear yourself quite clearly over little music.

That's what I've seen Ayu do... sometimes she looked very uncomfortable, keeping her hands pressing the earphones in place as if she's lost without them...

Hahaha, the thing about TV live is true, it's obvious that the music's not that loud... What's funny is that Peco over-reacts while singing background, when it's clear that her part is playback, (laughs)-------

You must be a singer, AngelSenshi, for knowing so much about this~

I'm singing yet I have a little idea about it, hahaha, (embarrassed)

[AyuWorld]

Originally Posted by AngelSenshi

In ear monitors, which are the things most artists use for live performances, are the kind that goes right into the ear. In doing so, the sound they hear is directed straight into their ear, and at the same time, blocking some (but not all) of the outside noise. This is so you can hear the music that's around you, while the thing you hear in your ears is the sound of your own voice.

There are some singers that do things a little differently though; there are some that have the music played in one ear, and their vocals in the other.

Typically in ear monitors are unique, they're made especially for each singer. It is possible that while there isn't an outside difference between her in ear monitors, the left one might be equipped a little better in blocking the music out, simply from causing any more pain in that ear (in the case of maybe the ringing in her ear increasing as the sound around her increases).

you know a lot,are u a singer?

nwey,sorry but you said ear monitors,that means there is someone like an engineer will monitor the ear plugs too? like how we cam control the mic?