Future Sonics is an American professional audio and consumer earphones company which designs and manufactures its own proprietary MG line of full-range miniature loudspeakers used in all of its products. Future Sonics and their Ear Monitors Brand were founded on the idea that you can promote long and healthy careers by relieving vocal fatigue while reducing stage volume and in turn preserving the musicians’ hearing. Future Sonics earpieces are used by major tours, artists, engineers, broadcasters and houses of worship worldwide as well as with personal media devices.[1]
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In-ear personal monitor systems were pioneered in the early-'80s by Marty Garcia of Future Sonics as a solution for vocal fatigue and stress on musicians' ears from excessively loud stage volumes.[2] His first custom-fit earphones were created for Todd Rundgren[3] in 1982.[2] [4] In 1985 the Ear Monitors Brand was launched. Also in 1985, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia Tour was the first wedge-less stage with all members wearing FS Ear MonitorsBrand. The Grateful Dead and The Steve Miller Band where among the early bands to tour with this form of personal monitoring.[5] Their co-headlined tour in 1992 was the first stadium, 65,000+ seat, tour without any speakers in the stage area. No wedges, fills or back line amps anywhere. Both bands went full in-ear using Future Sonics Ear MonitorsBrand.[4][6][7][8]
Future Sonics Ear Monitors Brand was awarded the TEC Award for Sound Reinforcement Product of the Year in 1992.[9] In 2002, Future Sonics was the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of the IE3 earphones for Sennheiser USA included with its original Evolution Wireless Systems. That same year, Future Sonics’ Ears EM3, universal earphones, were nominated for a TEC Award.[10] In 2009, Future Sonics marked its 17th year working with the band U2 on their 360° Tour providing earpieces for the band, crew and security.[11]
Future Sonics is an advocate for Hearing health awareness issues and a supporter of H.E.A.R., a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing hearing loss, mainly from loud rock music.[12] Future Sonics' speaker technology is recognized by H.E.A.R. as products offering their full range of sound and performance at low volumes.[13] In 2009 Future Sonics was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from H.E.A.R. for its contributions to Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers.
Ear Monitors is a registered trademark owned by Future Sonics [14] and is the brand name for their line of custom fit earphones and related products. In order to protect the name as a registered trademark, and keep it from becoming something of genericized trademark for any “in the canal earphones” or “canalphones” among consuming public, the product is always referred to as "Ear Monitors brand" and not just Ear Monitors.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/prosound_200903/#/54
http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/marty-garcia
Official Future Sonics Website
http://www.myspace.com/earmonitors
http://aes.harmony-central.com/121AES/article/Future+Sonics/Ear-Monitors-Drivers.html
http://bassguitarblog.com/2008/12/in-ear-monitors/
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/future_sonics_atrio