hi i will ask you guys for something

[Aleksander music]

Are that smart to connect a EQ pedal to the Nord electro 6d ? i wonder to buy this MXR M108S Ten Band EQ . i hope for some answers who can tell me if its good or not for the keyboard

[anotherscott]

Whether a keyboard can really benefit from an EQ basically depends on what amp you're playing through, and the sonic characteristics of the room, and personal taste. Most guitar pedals work okay, but sometimes they can be problematic with the different levels and/or impedance of a keyboard. Also, in this case, you're talking about a mono pedal, so you would need two if you're playing in stereo.

[analogika]

Properly EQing the keyboard sound for the room is the job of the sound technician.

I tweak sounds until they sound right relative to the other sounds on a system I know well. Everything else is not my problem.

[Gambold]

>Properly EQing the keyboard sound for the room is the job of the sound technician. <

The sound guy?? Gads, never trust anything having to do with keyboard amplification to the sound guy. Our own CPHollis says it much better than I ever could:

"Also: there appears to be no shortage of indifferent and/or incompetent sound guys out there. I have learned to expect the worse, and thus am rarely disappointed. Making matters worse, many of them are from the “keyboards should be seen and not heard” school of sound mixing."

From his most excellent blog: https://chucksblog.typepad.com/late_blo ... right.html

I have had two good sound guys in my band experience. Out of dozens (a lot of time we have to do our own sound). I've learned the hard way to ensure my amplification is right (usually by begging the bass player to walk out into the middle of the room, since he's on wireless). No way I let them touch my Nord.

[Gambold]

To be fair, there is another side, always is:

[analogika]

Odd. I’m not sure I’ve played a gig in the last five years where we didn’t thank the sound guy(s).

And I make a point of talking to them before sound check, getting feedback on levels, talking them through monitoring and why I only want one channel of Nord on the monitor, and guess what? The keys sound great, the FoH cares, everybody is happy.

[CountFosco]

EQing and straight out level control are pretty different things though. From the player's perspective, EQing instruments and patches should be basically done with before you arrive at a venue. EQing the band (incl keys, but probably most of the focus is on drums and vocals) for the room is the job of the sound tech, I don't see any role for a keyboard player at that point. So for live performance, I don't really see the point of bringing an EQ pedal. All you're doing is fighting the sound tech, I'm sure that will make him/her happy.

The thing about keys being seen but not heard is level control, different story from the OP, oder?

[analogika]

Exactly.

[cphollis]

Are that smart to connect a EQ pedal to the Nord electro 6d ? i wonder to buy this MXR M108S Ten Band EQ . i hope for some answers who can tell me if its good or not for the keyboard

A couple of thoughts?

First, what problem are you trying to solve? An external EQ pedal won't fix crappy sounding amplification, for example.

Second, any EQ duties I happen to need (and they are few and far between) are more than adequately handled by the internal EQ controls on the Nord E6D. The parametric EQ, in particular, is more effective in evening sound out than a graphic EQ as this pedal does.

Third, if I *was* interested in more deeply sculpting EQ externally (and I am not), I'd want a device with stereo channels, and I'd go for a parametric design. And I'd expect to pay a whole lot more. This pedal looks like an inexpensive product for aspiring guitar players. I wouldn't dream of putting it in my signal chain. Maybe I'm being unfair, but ... you spent big money on your board, right?

Now, a nice Vent II pedal -- that's a different proposition entirely. Or blow a few thousand on a real tube pre-amp to warm up my sound. Or get some decent amplification, and discover you really weren't interested in EQ all that much anyway.

Best of luck

[cphollis]

Aleksander -- something to consider? I see you asking different questions in different parts of the forum.

It might help out if you were to lay out your situation in enough context that people can offer specific help. You'll find no shortage of smart, helpful people on this forum (and others), but it really helps if you take the time to explain your situation, what you're struggling with, what you're trying to get done, what your constraints and priorities might be, etc.

Otherwise, we don't know what we're aiming at. At least I don't.

For example, what would help me give you better advice:
- what kind of music are you playing? what skill level -- just starting out, or doing this for a while?
- are you playing at home, or publicly?
- if you play publicly, solo, duo -- or larger band format?
- what kind of venues and crowds?
- what are you using for amplification? Signal chain?
- what don't you like about your sound that you're trying to improve?
- how much money are you willing to spend?

I'm sure others will have additional questions, but -- the more you share, the better advice you'll (usually) receive.

For example, my situation is that I play in two different groups. One does acoustic cocktail music as a trio, the other is a Grateful Dead tribute band. The venues are mostly small, except for the occasional larger outdoor festival.

With the smaller trio, I'm after a pristine, subtle acoustic sound that complements the vocalists. We never even begin to get loud. With the electric band, it can get loud. My goal is to sit well in the mix and not get buried by two enthusiastic guitar players, drums, bass, etc. At home, I play an acoustic grand that I'm totally in love with.

I am almost always responsible for my own sound as well and the band FOH. I do this for fun, not for money. It's my (expensive) hobby, which means I have a different set of priorities than others who do this for money. I am not shy about spending money when I think it'll move things forward.

I have been playing in bands for maybe 15 years, and have become both pretty proficient and well-known locally. I have way too much gear, most of it pretty good.

One area I know a bit about is how Nords sound through different amplification setups, different venues, etc. I am able to show up to just about any gig and deliver a top-shelf keys sound (including acoustic pianos) across a wide variety of styles, venues, etc. And I'm always working to make it better than before.

See? Now if I were to ask a question -- or offer some advice -- you'd know exactly where I was coming from. Context matters.

I've found that Nords can deliver incredible, rich and emotional sounds -- but you need to think about it holistically.

Thanks