You never know where a layoff might lead—sometimes, it’s straight into launching your own in-ear monitor (IEM) company. That’s exactly what Dark Matter Audio’s Tal Kocen and Dave Friesma did, carving out a niche in a legacy industry by embracing natural sound and combining it with all the nerdy elements that go into making these things the right way.

Dave and Tal break down why ears naturally boost that frequency by 15dB, how the Harman Curve plays into tuning, and why you should watch those 150-250Hz corner frequencies. From the $699 DM2H Hybrid 2 to the $899 DMA3, they dive into what makes Dark Matter’s approach unique, balancing high-end engineering with real-world musician needs.

Transitioning to IEMs isn’t just about better sound—it’s about control. You’ve got to start with the right mindset, knowing where you’re coming from and where you’re going. Pro tip? Don’t fall into the one-IEM trap—just ask Rosanne Cash. Learn why putting drums in a submix can change your life, how to manage shared IEM mixes, and why a little education goes a long way. Whether you’re tweaking your mix or embracing the occlusion effect, one thing’s for sure: Always Be Performing.

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