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Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 23 Jul 2011, 15:13
by shark
Guys, just a quick question. I will be playing two keyboards (Nord + one Yamaha mainly for strings) into the band's PA but don't want to use two separate channels. What's the best solution (mixer, a/b box, etc etc.) what do you guys use?

thx

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 23 Jul 2011, 17:14
by musicman100
a quick and dirty method is use the nords external audio input (if ur model has one) you will have to obtain a strereo Y adaptor and the 1/8 to 1/4 conversion. Ive used that method many times and it works ok.

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 23 Jul 2011, 18:30
by Hanon_CTS
musicman100 wrote:a quick and dirty method is use the nords external audio input (if ur model has one) you will have to obtain a strereo Y adaptor and the 1/8 to 1/4 conversion. Ive used that method many times and it works ok.
Hello Musicman100,
which Nord instrument are you using?
My NE3 only routes the audio input to the headphones output.

@Shark,
How much money is in your budget for this project?
How many instruments, or audio producing devices do you anticipate having in the next 2 years?

I have a couple different scenarios for my rigs.
When I'm traveling light, I usually just take my MOTU UltraLite MK3 as it is a self contained 8 input/ 8 output mixer. This unit is also a quality Audio and MIDI computer interface, so it will be more expensive than a standalone mixer.
I also have a Behringer X1204USB mixer, it is a very economical choice at under $200 and serves as a budget USB audio interface for your computer.

Cheers, Hanon

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 23 Jul 2011, 21:18
by shark
Thanks guys, yeah I don't think the audio input works as you can only hear it thru the phones and it doesn't go thru the Nord to the output.

It's not so much a question of budget but of simplicity, I already have to move around with a guitar rig (minimum 2 axes, amp, stands, microphone stand, FX pedal, suitcase with cables, suitcase with stage clothing, need I go on?) and my roadie quit...so the simplest/lightest solution would be better.

The keyboard rig on top of the guitar rig over the next couple of years will be the nord 73 and a smaller keyboard for effects/strings.

I'll try the minimixer.

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 23 Jul 2011, 21:25
by Johannes
Still you could just use the headphone output for the FOH using a Stereo Lack to 2 Mono Adapter like this: http://www.thomann.de/fr/the_sssnake_ypp2010.htm (or preferrably a more expensive/higher quality brand version)
Given that the Nord's signal is not too "hot" anyhow, this should not pose big problems. In fact, at least with the NE2 went this way to get a stronger signal in the first place.

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 24 Jul 2011, 19:18
by bdodds
i use a small mackie 802vlz3, it's got good sound and some useful routing for effects loops and the like.. i use it to mix my nord, moog (stereo) as well as run my line6 m9 (out from alt3-4, in to the remaining stereo channel), ventilator (in through stereo return), and i have 2 mono channels left for things like my looper pedal or theremin.. RCA ins for my iPad.. it's really flexible and relatively cheap for what it allows you to do..

Re: Two Keyboards into PA

Posted: 25 Jul 2011, 14:08
by musicman100
Hanon_CTS wrote:
musicman100 wrote:a quick and dirty method is use the nords external audio input (if ur model has one) you will have to obtain a strereo Y adaptor and the 1/8 to 1/4 conversion. Ive used that method many times and it works ok.
Hello Musicman100,
which Nord instrument are you using?
My NE3 only routes the audio input to the headphones output.


Cheers, Hanon
I did forget to mention that point, but Joannes mentioned the adapter in an above post for that. I think its still more compact than a mixer if you use the adapters , but if he has room there are a myriad of compact little "notebook" mixers out there, Tapco, Behringer, Mackie, etc..