Nord User Forum

Just got a QSC k12.2 2000w 12 inch powered speaker to amplify my nord electro 6d. This is just for practicing at home. I went a little big because I really want to hear those awesome acoustic piano tones. I was planning to just go straight into the speaker, but someone told me that I will need a mixing board. They couldn't really explain why though.

Is there any advantage to a mixing board in a simple keyboard to single powered speaker set up?

Hi-

You probably won't need a mixer for the use case you describe; practicing at home you don't need a lot of volume. A mixer is usually needed in a live band when you need more volume, as the power amp in the K12.2 really needs a hotter signal that is put our by your Electro. Mixers have preamps designed to drive a powered speaker so you can take advantage of the full power of your K12.2-

-dj

Depending on the mixer, you'd likely have more EQ options. Not a huge extra expense

In your scenario the mixer would help a bit with your gain management and EQ control (if the mixer is equipped with EQ). It's nice to have but not required by any means for what you are doing.

I would recommend that you use two audio cables from both the left and right out of your Electro to inputs A and B of the speaker. You'll get the fuller spectrum of range from the instrument that way. It will work okay with one cable, but I have found personally that two make the overall sound better.

So I went ahead and bought a mixing board, sound craft notepad 12fx mixer with effects and usb(link below). The speaker arrives first, so I will use it with and without and report back. Perhaps this thread will be useful to someone one day.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ts-and-usb

The other approach -- somewhat frowned upon -- is to use the "mic" setting on the PA inputs. It is now PLENTY HOT, perhaps too much so. Seriously, you can overdrive the PA unit, not damaging it, but definitely triggering limiters and similar.

The reason it's frowned upon is that if you forget it's on a "mic" setting, and plug something else in, it's gonna be hella loud. I can't verify this, but it also subtly shapes the sound in the process, so sounds a bit better to my ears if you drive it with a small mixer.

Your instrument will sound much better in stereo. I'd spend the money on another powered speaker rather than a mixer. You might also consider returning the 12.2 for a 10.2 or even an 8.2, if possible. Both are nearly as loud and will handle anything other than the lowest bass note frequencies. They also have wider dispersal - the 8.2 especially - and would probably sound more evenly spread out in a home situation.

The counterpoint to the "sounds better in stereo" would be using one of the column array speakers (Bose L1 Model 1S or better, not the Compact). They radiate sound 180 degrees and throw a good distance. Yes, you're playing in mono, but it's a wonderful mono.