Do you play live in Mono or Stereo?

[anotherstate]

Hi,

I know this question has been discussed on several forums over and over again, and basically, it depends.
But I thought it could be interesting to have opinions of members around here.

So: Do you prefer to run your (Nord) keyboards in Mono or Stereo to the FOH?

The question does (obviously) not address earphones, nor your personal monitoring or monitors or amp at home, which in many cases might be stereo. Rather I would like to know your preference for the feed you give to the PA system in public.

Feel free to comment your personal opinions and experiences or thoughts!

I switched to mono some years ago, but it seems that almost every doung guy assumes and prepares two DIs for the keyboards run in stereo.

[Frantz]

lol, I'm the second vote. We are 2. It's 50% - 50% now.
That's a training session for European Elections (polls) in 2 weeks.

=> The NS2 is paned full left and full right on the console.
=> I use only 1 DI , a stereo DI, it's a "Samson S.Direct Plus".

[Cute James]

Mono, largely because I use a single pre-amp to boost the gain.
I actually purchased two identical units (replaced the stock valves), with a view to running them in stereo for live playing, but in reality it's too much effort to adjust left and right levels in real-time.

If a cheap stereo pre-amp was available, I'd almost certainly opt for a stereo signal into the PA.

Cheers,
James
x

[anotherstate]

Stereo. The B3 needs it! Obviously you need a good PA and soundman to get it right.

[maxpiano]

Stereo, though sometimes I set the Mono on the NS2 for pianos to cut through better on some PAs or alternatively I ask the mixer-man to reduce the L-R spread; but synth sounds, EPs with Chorus and last but not least B3 w Leslie do need Stereo!
PS: I also usually have a (mono) monitor close to me, which of course receives L+R from the mixer.

[Mr_-G-]

Same as maxpiano: stereo with a mono monitor. but the amped monitor is just playing one channel (i.e. NS2 right channel goes directly to the mixer, NS2 left channel goes to the monitor which has a recording output and from there to the mixer). Glorious sound.

[fabiokey]

Hi everyone!!
I.M.H.O. the nord , especially for piano , has to be STEREO....
everytime I have to put it mono , (sometimes in small gigs , lack of DI box or lack of channels ecc....) it doesn't sound so good....EVEN with mono output option activated....
let's say that the difference between mono and stereo , expecially in piano sounds , in my experience is BIG , while with other keyboards (yamaha roland ecc) is not so noticable...
for organ in my opinion is a bit different
I used to have stereo piano - stereo organ ( 2 stereo outputs) with bass from another device...
now I use stereo piano , mono organ and mono bass , all separated for F.O.H. and the organ works good even in mono...
but maybe is just becouse my main instrument is piano , I use organ just to....... sound bigger in the chorus....so it can work...
hope it helps
Fabio

[Rusty Mike]

Mono, mostly because I'm too lazy to carry the stuff to play in stereo. I also think it's lost on the audience, making it not worth the effort in my eyes.

[CTL073]

Stereo. But FOH doesn't pan it 100% left-right to get a better sound on large stages.

Sorry about my English...

[DoctorC]

I play in stereo at home via monitors, but I use a single amp/speaker on stage (a Yamaha StagePas 250).
I don't select the mono button on the NS though, because I am connected to the amp's mixer via the stereo inputs on one channel. I am aware the output is obviously in mono, but I am hopeful that the sound is closer in quality to the stereo sound than it is when you select 'mono' (I hope that makes sense!).