Erik Zachary is a multimedia host, producer, and director who has spent his career at the intersection of music, radio, and television. He has hosted radio shows for iHeartRadio in New York, Chicago, and Boston, produced and presented for multiple national MTV/Viacom projects — including a 2017 revival of TRL — and currently serves as host and editor in chief of XYZ. Erik uses Alclair both for IFB monitoring during live broadcasts and as a primary listening and editing tool on the road.
We asked him about how IEMs fit into his work and why the tools matter as much as the performance.
What Is an IFB? A Quick Explainer
An IFB — Interruptible Foldback — is a type of monitor used primarily in broadcast. On-screen talent uses it to monitor audio from the production, but it also allows producers and directors to “interrupt” that feed with real-time communication. Timing cues, breaking news, direction from off-camera… all of it goes through the IFB. The quality of that connection directly affects how well a host can perform under pressure.
How Erik Uses Alclair for Broadcast and Editing
Originally, I was interested in IEMs because as a DJ and MC I was frequently finding myself in front of the speaker line at loud events. I quickly realized they were the perfect solution for me to use in studio in lieu of headphones (which often gave me discomfort after wearing for multiple hours). As my career progressed, I also began using them as IFB’s for live broadcasts both in studio and on location and almost exclusively when editing video/audio on the road.
Erik Zachary
Erik’s Alclair Setup: RevX and ProQ Duo IFB
I primarily use the RevX’s. I also use the ProQ Duo IFB for my in-studio remote interviews, as well as whenever I’m on-site and need to communicate with producers/directors. Both models are incredible and unique in their own ways. Obviously, it doesn’t get much better in terms of all around audio quality than the RevXs. As a video/audio editor who’s constantly on the go, I can always rely on them for giving me the best (and accurate) all around audio quality. I’m also a novice drummer but compared to the LEGENDS who use Alclair as well, we can just leave that part out 😉
Erik Zachary
The RevX is a ten-driver custom monitor built for performers who demand the full picture. It has a wide soundstage, exceptional detail, and contour that flatters without coloring. For a host and editor who needs to trust what he hears across music, dialogue, and production audio, that accuracy is non-negotiable.
The ProQ IFB: Why It Changes On-Location Broadcast
As for the ProQ Duo IFB, it’s crystal clear, speech focused audio quality has been my day to day mainstay through interviews and ESPECIALLY on location. Prior to it, I was using the more traditional acoustic tube fed IFBs and although a little lower profile, anyone who’s used them can tell you how terribly muffled that audio tends to be, especially when out in non studio environments or when there’s more than one person speaking. Many of the projects I work on as a host are music/production focused as well so even though the IFB is engineered to be more speech focused, any music or production cues being fed to me sound great as well.
Erik Zachary
Traditional acoustic tube IFBs are workhorses but they were never designed for the clarity demands of modern broadcast. The Alclair ProQ Duo IFB delivers speech-focused precision with the same build quality and custom fit that musicians expect from a monitor. For talent who needs to hear a director clearly in a noisy environment, that difference is everything.
Six Years of RevX and Counting
I could speak on the audio quality all day and how insanely superior it is to the rest but that goes without saying if you’ve heard them for even 10 seconds. What TRULY separates Alclair from the rest to me (and I’ve used many) is hands down the customer service and build quality. The whole team is so hyper focused on not only their product but their relationships with their clients and that speaks volumes. Not to mention the actual build quality is unmatched. I’ve had my RevX’s for close to 6 years now (and trust me they’ve been put through the paces). They are built like tanks.
Erik Zachary
Six years of daily professional use and still going. That is what we build for.
Find out more about Erik Zachary at erikzachary.com.
