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- Jan 30, 2020
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Ok, so I’m already outvoted here - however my research and logic still convince me my logic isn’t invalid.
I run two keyboards with stereo outs. They go direct to my personal mixer, where I send a single stereo feed to the main desk via a stereo DI. My personal mixer also received my monitor feed for in ears.
The debate is the sound guy and the bassist insist I need to send both keyboards stereo feeds through their own DI to the desk. They state this is because the need to EQ each keyboard separately because of the different patches. Great in theory, but each keyboards runs different patches for each song. Some I have split sounds, some dual sounds - relevant in one of my points below.
There are a number of reasons I prefer my set up to their preference, the main ones being:
1. Less cables, quicker set up, quicker pack down. Uses less channels on the main desk (not always an issue, but sometimes can be)
2. Their reasoning is for individual eq. Not sure how this would help as the majority of gigs we don’t have a sound man out front. Each keyboard runs different patches for each song. Some I have split sounds, some dual sounds from piano, pads, EP, lead synth, organ etc. Individual EQ won’t help in this situation unless a sound man out front is there and really on it right? Leading to point 3:
3. The only feed to my in ears is my monitor feed, so I can hear the balance going to the desk between my keyboards - so I can adjust accordingly based on this. Just as a guitarist might use his volume pedal, or a singer using mic control - at least that’s my theory. With no sound man at most gigs, this is the only way I can control patch levels live.
Of course I can be flexible, and I have everything need with me at all gigs for both scenarios. But even the Key Largo, one of very few dedicated keyboard mixers, only send one stereo line to the desk so someone agreed with me
What do you guys do here, and what are your honest opinions? It’s a tension point and I almost want to just let them do as they wish. But it’s my set up based on my research and I feel like my points are valid.
I run two keyboards with stereo outs. They go direct to my personal mixer, where I send a single stereo feed to the main desk via a stereo DI. My personal mixer also received my monitor feed for in ears.
The debate is the sound guy and the bassist insist I need to send both keyboards stereo feeds through their own DI to the desk. They state this is because the need to EQ each keyboard separately because of the different patches. Great in theory, but each keyboards runs different patches for each song. Some I have split sounds, some dual sounds - relevant in one of my points below.
There are a number of reasons I prefer my set up to their preference, the main ones being:
1. Less cables, quicker set up, quicker pack down. Uses less channels on the main desk (not always an issue, but sometimes can be)
2. Their reasoning is for individual eq. Not sure how this would help as the majority of gigs we don’t have a sound man out front. Each keyboard runs different patches for each song. Some I have split sounds, some dual sounds from piano, pads, EP, lead synth, organ etc. Individual EQ won’t help in this situation unless a sound man out front is there and really on it right? Leading to point 3:
3. The only feed to my in ears is my monitor feed, so I can hear the balance going to the desk between my keyboards - so I can adjust accordingly based on this. Just as a guitarist might use his volume pedal, or a singer using mic control - at least that’s my theory. With no sound man at most gigs, this is the only way I can control patch levels live.
Of course I can be flexible, and I have everything need with me at all gigs for both scenarios. But even the Key Largo, one of very few dedicated keyboard mixers, only send one stereo line to the desk so someone agreed with me
What do you guys do here, and what are your honest opinions? It’s a tension point and I almost want to just let them do as they wish. But it’s my set up based on my research and I feel like my points are valid.
