Fusker Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Howdy - Alright, so I've started a new band, bought a bunch of PA equipment, so now I have a lot more control over the mix than with my previous group which essentially was a volume battle where I wasn't allowed to touch the board. I haven't used my K4 once (since the final NYE gig with the old group) with the new group. I've been going straight into the mixer and providing my own feed to my monitor. I was going to use the proceeds from selling my K4 towards buying a a K10, but now my question, do I really need to? I can't really figure out what I would be missing by not having a dedicated rig for my keys. Even with pickup gigs, I could just bring one of my power amps and a monitor and be good to go, not quite as convenient as toting a single K10, but not that big of a chore either...and pick-up gigs are rare around here. Maybe I answered my own question, but curious to hear back. Feels kind of naked not have a 'keyboard amp'. Thanks Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I've been playing keyboards in bands professionally for 22 years and have never owned a keyboard amp. If you can get your own monitor mix, that's all you need. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 No you don't need a personal monitor if you can hear yourself. There are times I didn't turn my powered speakers on. It depended on the number of monitor sends, whether or not there was a monitor. What I never wanted to do was interfere with the vocalists monitor needs. We contract out a lot of sound so whether or not I really need powered speakers varied from night to night. I prefer to not have my powered speakers on. I'm nosey and like to get the best handle I can get on what kind of work the sound guy is doing. On New Years Eve my monitor situation was great but our drummer had trouble hearing his electronic pads in the mix so I lent him my powered speakers to run his Roland Octo-pad stuff through. An extra powered speaker can be handy to have around as a backup plan. You are doing your own PA so you know what you need. We just got 5 Shure IEM systems so we are heading into new territory. I will probably throw a couple of Behringer powered speakers in the trailer in case there is some sort of disaster. I have QSCs but the trailer is really hard on gear if there is a load shift. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 New bad...Fire BAD. ;-) Yeah you're right, just have never not had my "own rig", feels strange. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 New bad...Fire BAD. ;-) Yeah you're right, just have never not had my "own rig", feels strange. But you do have your own rig; it's the PA system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 The first time you play on a stage with a house PA and you do not control your own monitor mix, you will understand the need for a backup plan. Moe --- "I keep wanting to like it's sound, but every demo seems to demonstrate that it has the earth-shaking punch and peerless sonics of the Roland Gaia. " - Tusker http://www.hotrodmotm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 True, but in this case, my backup plan would be a power amp and monitor from my PA, in my car. I think getting the K10 is probably a waste of funds with this scenario. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 True, but in this case, my backup plan would be a power amp and monitor from my PA, in my car. I think getting the K10 is probably a waste of funds with this scenario. That solution may not actually work, depending on what your keyboard rig consists of. If it's one board, sure, but you'll need a DI as well, and you have no real way to manage gain/volume before the power amp. Not the optimal approach by any means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Good point in the context of a house PA. My K4 serves as a DI with it's XLR out. Suppose a sub-mixer would do the trick. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Good point in the context of a house PA. My K4 serves as a DI with it's XLR out. Suppose a sub-mixer would do the trick. Yep; now you're up to 3 things to bring, not including cables. Getting closer to PITA status yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Indeed....situationally speaking though, as sad as it is, only one venue in my immediate area has a house PA. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I'd get the K10 and use that as your monitor vs the power amp/monitor you have now. Much lighter and easier setup. I use my K10 as my band monitor as well as my keyboard amp, in reverse of how you are doing it. All my keys run to a line mixer which feeds the K10. Then I take an aux/monitor send from the PA, dial in what I want to hear vocal wise and maybe a smidge of guitar depending on the room, and run that to a channel on my line mixer. Total control over the monitor mix that way. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Cool idea! Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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