I originally posted this on the On Stage forum but didn’t get any responces so I thought I’d try here..

I normally run mono to the board from my left output. But, I also run the right output on my XS to my monitor. I guess what I need to know is should I run mono (left out only) into a personal mixer “first” before the main board and monitor? That way I can run a line from my mixer to the main board and a line out from the mixer to my monitor. All being in true mono.

What Im concerned about is, by using both the right and left outputs on the XS, Im not really running mono. Im running stereo with the main board getting the left half of the signal and the monitor getting the right half. Would a personal mixer before the main board sound better?

Why not either :

a: Run stereo to both. Use the main outputs for the main board, and the assignable outputs to the monitor.

b: Run both mono, again using the main Left for your main board, and the assignable output ( left ) to your monitor ??

Mark.

My first question is, why mono?

If you do decide to connect your XS with mono, you should only use the main output left. Main out left should feed both your main board and the monitors.

I don’t think that using the assignable outputs is the way to go in this case, and there’s several reasons.
Assignable outputs are independent of the main output, and can be freely assigned to any of the Drum Voice keys or the Parts. This lets you route specific Voices or sounds for processing with a favorite outboard effect unit.

For mono = Use only the Main Left Output - Nothing connected to Right!

/M

Multi76 - 08 March 2010 11:54 AM

My first question is, why mono?

If you do decide to connect your XS with mono, you should only use the main output left. Main out left should feed both your main board and the monitors.

I don’t think that using the assignable outputs is the way to go in this case, and there’s several reasons.
Assignable outputs are independent of the main output, and can be freely assigned to any of the Drum Voice keys or the Parts. This lets you route specific Voices or sounds for processing with a favorite outboard effect unit.

For mono = Use only the Main Left Output - Nothing connected to Right!

/M

This is exactly what I was thinking. That I’ve been running my sound out incorrectly.

I’ve chosen mono based on suggestions by some of the posters here. With larger venues, where I tend to play and the speakers are spread pretty far apart, mono would work better for the crowd. I take it you don’t agree, though. I’d really like your input on this, too, if you don’t mind.

So then the solution is a personal mixer, correct?

Hi phurd!

I guess you have also tried stereo?
If mono works best for you and you have your reasons, stay with it…

You have several options to “split” the XS Main Out Left to both your systems. But I can’t say what’s best for you, since I don’t have the “whole picture” regarding your acctual equipment and setup on stage.

/M

Stereo is an audio illusion… spreading the speakers far apart does not hinder stereo - not at all. The illusion remains the same. It creates a panorama - a feeling of space, left to right.

Simply pan individual mono items wisely. Even if you pan something hard left with absoultely no signal in the right side at all, this does not preclude the people on the right side of the room from hearing the left speaker. If you think so, you have not really studied sound, hearing and how it works. Do they hear it ‘less well’, well, yes, they probably do. This is why you don’t have to pan things all the way… unless, of course, they are originally recorded in stereo in the first place.

Like the pianos, for example, the spaciousness of the stereo sample is psychoacoustic perhaps but undeniable.

Do this experiment with STEREO and MONO. Since you don’t have a stereo setup - use headphones.

Play the “Full Concert Grand” PRE1:001(A01)
Play the “Monaural Grand MW” PRE1:016(A16)

one side of the stereo Full Concert Grand is hard left and the other is hard right - but it fills the entire space.

If you take a mono sound, like say a bass, well if you pan that all the way to left with no signal at all in the right, then you just have to ask yourself why did you do that?

If you are playing back an iPOD, a tape deck, a CD player, whatever… and you are running it through you band’s PA system you would plug the output and split it to 2 channels of the mixer, one panned hard left and the other hard right… why? to maintain the stereo. You don’t have a problem with doing that.
Your Motif XS is no different

If you are playing on stage - stereo is more than just losing sounds that are panned out… you only do that if you mix poorly (IMHO)… learn to use the stereo field, it is your friend.

Some folks will be left in 2 diminsions when the world moves to 3D, some musicians insist on being stuck in pre-1957 when the world was mono (lol) :)

phurd - 08 March 2010 12:08 PM

So then the solution is a personal mixer, correct?

It depends on what you want to do next at this point..

If you only have the XS, I would run stereo to the board and get a mono channel feed back for your single monitor. (No mixer) Why? Because unless you have 2 monitors setup for stereo, then you’ll only get mono out of a single speaker anyway, The FOH get’s a stereo out and you get a mono monitor.

I run a personal mixer for a couple of reasons. I have multiple boards, but also because I like sending stereo to both the mains and also running a separate stereo output to my pair of on-stage monitors. I’m running two NX55P Yorkville active loudspeakers as monitors which run from L/R output channels of my mixer. It’s a little self indulgent perhaps, but it sounds fantastic and can be used in so many different configurations.  It also gives me lots of flexibility and local control for effect chains, EQ and volume.

Ok Bad mister I am going stereo for LIVE shows because you keep it’s better. I will pay up too $2000 Tax and all. Please 60lbs or less.

I’ll only need to hook up two keyboards no mic just for me.
keyboard one Hammond sound board two Epiano, piano, brass,pad and some time bass with Epiano. It need to hold good sold bass. Loud so i can cut
it with druns,bass and guitar and singer.

I have being looking on WEB at Motion Sound KP 500 for $1295 WT. 48lbs.
Two 12’ four horns 250 a side.  and the Yamaha stagepas 500 $900 + $89 for soft rolling case 250watt a side, 10’ woofer and horn 2spkns & mixer Wt. 52.9 lbs.  Both are not in store here at time. So i can’t test. I am open for other. tell what to get i will buy in 3 day.