Don’t Settle for Less – Why Every Keyboardist With Big Ambitions Needs a Small Mixing Board
Ask Marc Anything 🤔
Question:
Carson asks:
Do I need a mixing board as a keyboardist?
I've seen a lot online about people recommending the use of a small keyboard mixer in a live setting to send to the FOH Front of house) mixer and receive the monitor signal as well. Is this something only applicable to those using multiple keyboards as a way to send them all as one entity to the FOH? I fail to see the need for such a thing if I am only using my Nord and nothing else. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello Carson,
This is a great question, and I think it comes down to "having more options." When I played gigs with a single keyboard, I would plug directly into the PA and not bother using a mixer. This is perfectly fine. Anytime I had a second keyboard, I would always use a personal mixer.
If, after reading this, you are thinking about picking one up, a GREAT mixing board for keyboardists is the Key Largo. The Key Largo is so much more than a mixer. It's a stereo mixing board purpose-built for keyboardists. It's also an audio interface allowing you to connect to a computer on-stage or off. It has built-in MIDI and can also act as a DI box! I don't own one, but I'm seriously thinking of buying one just to review it and to replace my current audio interface.
Radial Key Largo Keyboard mixer with Balanced DI Outs
I had Chat GPT help me come up with the main reasons to get a mixing board specific to keyboardists, and it came up with some really good suggestions. I've edited these a bit and validated them. Here they are:
- Multiple Keyboards/Synthesizers: If a keyboard player uses multiple keyboards, synthesizers, or other sound sources during a live performance, a mixer can help manage these different inputs. They can easily adjust the volume levels of each instrument and balance them to create the desired sound.
- Effects Processing: Some mixers include onboard effects or the ability to easily integrate outboard effects. This can give the keyboard player greater flexibility in shaping their sound live, rather than relying solely on the sound engineer or the effects built into their keyboard.
- Better Control Over Live Sound: With a personal mixer, the keyboard player can control their monitor mix. This way, they can ensure they hear exactly what they need to perform their best. This might include levels of other instruments, a metronome click, or backing tracks.
- Direct Input to PA System: Sometimes, the sound engineer might prefer the keyboard player to send a single stereo feed from their mixer to the main PA system. This simplifies the inputs at the main mixing desk and allows the keyboard player to manage their own sound. I created a blog post on this topic here.
- Recording: Some mixers have the ability to record directly. If the keyboard player wants to record their live performances, having a mixer with this feature can be very convenient.
- Microphone Input: If the keyboard player also sings or talks during the performance, a mixer could provide an input for a microphone. This would allow them to control the balance between their voice and their keyboard playing (great for solo gigs).
In the end, introducing a mixing board allows the keyboard player to have more control over their sound and performance in general. However, it's important to note that using a mixer also requires knowledge about audio signal flow and mixing principles - not to mention the extra work in the setup!! 👍🏻 🔊 🎹
Want More?
Helpful affiliate links for your consideration:
▶ Radial Key Largo Keyboard mixer with Balanced DI Outs: https://amzn.to/3ch9cfi
👀 Buy your Nord keyboards at Sweetwater and get a 2-year warranty! https://bit.ly/Sweetwater_Nord_Keyboards (U.S. Customers)
Some links above are affiliate links providing me a small commission to help support My Keys To Music. The price is the same to you even if you use the links for your purchase. Thank you!
Thanks for visiting!
Marc 🎹
My Keys To Music
