Nord User Forum

Hi everyone
I know that a lot of you are using the Key Largo, so just wanted to know your thoughts on how it improves your sound.

At the moment I have my keys going straight into a Soundcraft UI24, and an happy with the sound. I own the mixer, but it is also the band’s mixer for FOH. Is there any point sonically in inserting a Key Largo into the sound chain. As I do the mixing, the unbalanced cables from the Nords are only 3m long to the mixer, so I have never had a problem with noise or hum. The Soundcraft has very good preamps, and 10 aux outs, so I can get line outs for monitoring without issue, and effects loops are inserted through mixer software without issue. Is there anything to be gained by using the Key Largo to increase headroom before going into the Soundcraft, or am I just adding 2Kg to my pedalboard for no real gain?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Graeme

I use the Key Largo, not because I want to improve the sound but for two purposes:

1) use it for it’s original purpose as a mixer since I run both my Stage 3 compact and my Stage 3 88 into channel 1 and channel 2 of the Key Largo, plus the organ of both through outputs 3 into a Vent II and into the 3rd channel of the Key Largo

2) as a DI Box since I sometimes need long cables to the X32 Rack my band uses as a mixer

For just one instrument and relatively short cable lengths I can’t see any benefit using the Key Largo in between the instrument and the main mixer

Thanks Schorsch

I am using NS3C and NS2, but we have plenty of channels. Appreciate your help. That was pretty much what I thought, but then again maybe I was missing something.

The only point in using a submixer is to balance your own keyboard/laptop volumes and give a single Stereo pair to the FoH. Most sound guys have better things to do than balance four pairs of stereo keyboard signals in a busy mix with two guitars, full drums, bass and four backing vocals.

If you’re doing that all yourself from one and the same mixer, there’s no point in adding an extra unit into the chain.

Aside from the aforementioned self mixing advantage the only other reason to add it would be if you wanted to add software from a laptop to your setup. For that purpose nothing beats the Key Largo.

I was using a cheap mixer to mix my boards (a Yamaha MG6 which isn't exactly terrible) and switched to the Key Largo. There was a notable improvement in both clarity and warmth, especially handling AP transients -- at least through my not-cheap stage monitors.

These days, it's all about keeping things simple, so I don't usually use a keys mixer at all. Out of laziness, I bring a CPS SSv3 and simply hand a mono out to the FOH dude.

cphollis wrote: Out of laziness, I bring a CPS SSv3 and simply hand a mono out to the FOH dude.

Glad to hear this, as I do exactly the same !

Aside from mixing two boards and providing my own DI to FOH, I also use the Monitor outputs to feed my Rolls headphone mixer separately from FOH so I can monitor myself in Stereo and receive a mono Aux feed for the rest of the band.

I'm becoming more and more interested in this Key Largo...
Which version is most used by you guys : The Key Largo or KL-8 ?
Both are not really cheap and I do have an (in comparison cheap) Alto ZMX862 currently which offers what I need.

The fact that both MIDI and USB are supported is a real plus though.
Especially while I'm thinking about re-using my Motif-Rack, TC-Electronics G-Sharp and FCB-1010 for live use.

Is it worth the investment in your opinion ?
Thanx for your time !

I bought it last week because I needed a smaller mixer on stage. I will use it as a DI for my two Nords and my laptop.
The Key Largo is made by Radial and they always have very good pruducts. So I figured that I would buy this instead of a less equiped mixer that would also cost me about the same if I wanted something professional, reliable and durable.
I also use two in-my-face monitors, beside the band mix on the floor monitors that I get from the sound guy. That way I am really 'in' the stereo sound of my keyboards.

Next week will be the first time that the Key Largo will be used in a show. I will post an update afterwards.