(This might have gotten lost, just wanted to ask again:)

Is there an isolating earplug with a background mic to bring sound back in? I'm looking for something that could replace my sensophonics earplugs that will reduce sound by isolating, and bring sound back in via a mic. Kind of like hearing aides, but for lowering sound and controlling the volume that comes back in. Does something like this exist? Are there earbuds out there that are good at doing this?

I have a pair of Shure AONICS and Anker Soundcores. They kind of do this, but I'm not sure they lower the db enough. My ear condition requires good isolation. Sensaphonics are great, but mine are getting long in the tooth and before I drop $$$ on custom ear plugs, I wonder if there's a more modern solution.

My intention is to use these for band practice and going out of the house to loud social places.

ErikG wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:57 pm So, you ever do that thing where your drummer quits and you become a drum machine band, and everything is really cool, better even. Then gradually you bring in some synth sequencing, and it sounds great. But then you realize shit's gotten out of hand and you realize you now spend way more time managing machines and less time making music?

Just me?

I’m in the same boat. My band sounds way better than with any drummer we’ve ever played with. But yeah, it’s a lot work. I’ve always been the guy who records band practice and emails the mixes to all band members, so it doesn’t make a huge difference!
I program drums in Reaper so I can just bring new songs as Reaper files then record the band playing along to that and then I’m able to rearrange things at home and cut different parts together, since everything is synced up.
I pretty much gave up on trying to add synths or samples as this is something you can spent way too much time on.

bassdriver wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 11:12 am

ErikG wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:57 pm So, you ever do that thing where your drummer quits and you become a drum machine band, and everything is really cool, better even. Then gradually you bring in some synth sequencing, and it sounds great. But then you realize shit's gotten out of hand and you realize you now spend way more time managing machines and less time making music?

Just me?

I’m in the same boat. My band sounds way better than with any drummer we’ve ever played with. But yeah, it’s a lot work. I’ve always been the guy who records band practice and emails the mixes to all band members, so it doesn’t make a huge difference!
I program drums in Reaper so I can just bring new songs as Reaper files then record the band playing along to that and then I’m able to rearrange things at home and cut different parts together, since everything is synced up.
I pretty much gave up on trying to add synths or samples as this is something you can spent way too much time on.

I was in a band years ago and we thought it would be cool to add a laptop for sequences, and then we added a keyboard, on top of that we had like 7 guitars between two guitarists. Anyway, our songs were getting dumber and we ditched all the computer stuff and paired down the guitars (I only had 1 bass, not my fault) and all of a sudden, we were writing good music again and have much less awkward moments playing live. After that I never wanted to incorporate laptops or sequencers into my music because you're absolutely right, you start managing machines instead of making music. It takes a certain kind of skill and musicianship to pull this off and I ain't got it.