How and Why to use External Mixer for live keyboard rig

In this video I wanted to talk about how and why to use an external mixer for your live keyboard gear.
Links to Products
amzn.to/3ZlEMPx
amzn.to/3ZRl2TX
amzn.to/3mCGzkE
amzn.to/3SXyYcK
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE in 2023!! More content will be uploaded in the next couple of months!!

[@tomblack4437]

Thank you. I am in a duet and my guitar player's health has resulted in him retiring. I have an excellent keyboard player that is going to take his place but he is not that versed in mixers or setups. I have tried the single amp and it sounded terrible. He will be the foundation for us and needs to be stereo. He has a mixer for his setup but does not know why - you explained it. I am always working on the best sound I can get. Your video ready helps - thank you for taking the time.

[@markwoodward836]

Love you, Brother Ed. This was one of the best keyboard/mixing videos I have seen. Thank you.

[@royualika1160]

Love this video bro. Used to keep me up late at night, figuring out how to cut through the mix with my keys. You’re a champ.

[@alainopperman7265]

Hey, this was super useful thank you sooo much for sharing gold nuggets for us.

[@Mr_A_Mia]

What a helpful video! Idk why i never thought of this. Thank you Ed!!

[@learnfromraj]

You r the best man. This what exactly i was looking for years. Glad, finally found your video.

[@learnfromraj]

Watching it again 😀

[@fredrickdavis2567]

Thank you!!! Great information!!!

[@markjaylandes]

When our band has a sound guy, I don't bring an amp. I run 2 keyboards mono to 2 DI boxes to the front of house and I'll have a wedge monitor up front pointing my keys and vocals at me. And I'll add in the monitor what ever else I'd like to hear. When we run our own sound (at a bar), we all use amps and only vocals go thru the mains. For an amp I use a 12" behringer powered speaker and sometimes I use a 15" powered Mackie Thump speaker

[@scotz74]

Why do you use a DI box? Surely that restricts you to mono output only? Why not use the stereo outputs>?

[@markjaylandes]

@@scotz74 When the distance from me to the sound desk is 30' or more I use DI boxes to clean up the sound. I run in mono because no one in the bars can appreciate the stereo sound unless they are standing perfectly in the stereo center.

[@mrlionel1965]

I have been seriously looking into something like this. I am tired of lugging my old Peavey KB300 around. That thing is a ball buster. I am thinking a mixer like this to my IEMs is the ticket. Thanks for an informative video.

[@st.g]

Super useful, thanks!

[@Marcelo_Wagner]

Very good Ed !!

[@EdDiazKeys]

Thank you!

[@merchgirl6170]

Most helpful live keyboard setup video I’ve ever found… thank you @EdDiaz ! 🫶

[@985live]

Should a di box be used when sending to the house mixer? Also when hooking the keyboard(s)to personal mixer should the cables be TS cables or TRS?

[@Bashanvibe]

I’m late on this but is there any videos showing how to vocals coming through the same set up?

[@matthewbolduc2714]

Groovy and little discussed but very important subject. What is 2 much gain; keyboard + mg10 mixer+jbl nearfield monitors? Thank you very much.

[@existentbeing9678]

Recently started gigging with a band for the first time, geez you really have to be a sound tech as a keyboard player, I just want to plug in and play like the rest of everyone lmao but oh well. Thanks for the info!

[@humbertcox6494]

Hi Ed, I have agreed with all you have said with exception of the monitor mix being controlled by the keyboard player. It depends heavily on the setup used.

[@JP-vj8tt]

Talofa from New Zealand.....Great vid uso

[@adrianh63]

Thanks 😊 Ed Thanks for the edutorial, please keep them updated looking forward to seeing your next new videos on synths

[@Elior1030]

So you are using the mixer almost like a DI box sending to the main mixer and sending to your monitor.

[@TimoEngelvaart]

Really useful, thank you!

[@tykinsey4338]

Excellent info!

[@HireAngel]

Thanks Ed !!!!!

[@misguidedband4165]

Hi Ed. Great vids!!! Have some questions for ya but I private messaged you because of the details I need. All about keys connections. Again, thanks for the great info.

[@eddavenport1970]

Good one Ed.....thx

[@c49erswin1]

Thank you Great Explanation 😊

[@EdDiazKeys]

Thank you! Do you think I should update it? Thinking about doing an updated version.

[@leonardovmusic]

@@EdDiazKeysyes please 🔥

[@Dave_Medeiros]

@@EdDiazKeyshi Ed, if possible do you have any resources or potential training videos on designing patches and adjusting volumes of your patches based on timbre? I find that a lot of my patches range in volume if I’m using synths, brass, pianos/EPs . So for instance is it best to have leads at 110-125 for volume, etc Thank you! Dave

[@russellfacione9962]

So my keyboards should be at 100%? I’m told by band mates to not do that. But I’m having problems at our gigs with sounding like crap. I have Roland keys and. Key Largo mixer. What advice do you have?

[@Feylesoflar]

hi can you give me advice on to use what amplifier and mixer for real original sounds from VR09. my set up do not give that! Home usage.

[@glennwickert5088]

I have 2 HW synths for my live gigs. I want to mix the signals so that I only send 1 keyboard signal to the house mixer. I am using a small mixer to mix my 2 synths. I also have a DI. Question: Option 1 or 2 for the signal flow: 1. Synths>keyboard mixer>DI>house mixer 2. Synths>DI>keyboard mixer>house mixer Thanks!

[@samrentz9116]

Been there done that a lot....

[@KirklandWilliamsWorkout3000]

💯

[@MichaelDaniels]

at time stamp 6:30 you mention 2 cables. I think our out for the keyboard is one cable. Do we need an adapter for the end of an instrument cable for this to work properly?

[@scotz74]

Really good video. I've got a gig coming up where I'll be going through the house system but the big question is should I be going through a DI Box? And if so why? And if I do, do I need 2 DI boxes for each channel on my keyboard (I have a Roland DS 88)

[@Jason75913]

thanks!

[@superchickensuperchicken7939]

Ed Diaz, how come you don't have the new roland fantom tutorial videos on this channel I you have some tutorials on the product support channel but you didn't cover stuff like sampling and sequencing enough and you didn't cover sampling and loading samples at all

[@justaname1862]

I still use my Roland M120 rack mount line mixer...stereo balanced out and mono monitor out to foldback wedge...the only way to go!...PS: i honestly had a sound guy trying to mic up my monitor wedge once 😂😂😂

[@marchangel7462]

TS. Keyboards are usually unbalanced output. Use regular instrument cable. Use TRS from your mixer to your speaker.

[@finnyboy82]

@@marchangel7462 wrong!

[@lindseyeastland4821]

Can I hook up my Mic and keyboard and power speakers all to my Samson 15 channel mixer.

[@markjaylandes]

My big problem is when I run 2 keyboards mono into a Mackie board and then into a Mackie Thump 15" speaker. On my Mackie thump, the overload light comes on a lot and I'm afraid I'm gonna blow up my speaker 😒

[@elwinceria8266]

Cut the low freq

[@AD2024JAM]

Mackie’s speakers have that issue

[@marchangel7462]

How many watts is your speaker? Get at least 1000 watts powered speaker and a mixer.

[@seriocoster]

HI Ed, The purpose of the cable you show in the end is more a stereo Phones cable going explicitly into 2 separate mono ( L,R) INS on the mixer. I think the TRS theory is not applicable in this case. For the AUX out to the monitor you should have single TRS On both sides. Or use 2 of This same cable i mentioned when using Both keyboard L,R out. I know They call TRS a stereo cable.... But there is a Little “ watch out” in This scenario. Am I wrong? The cable you mentioned is good for headphone out going into the mixer L,R. Nothing to do with TRS.... help me!

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

Depends on your mixer outs.

[@andrewjankura2912]

Hey Ed I play left handed Bass in my band , my rig is a Fantom 07 and a viscount solo for the organs . I typically split my Fantom for bass sounds , what do you suggest on mix and how to handle FOH mix ? Thanks brother

[@EdDiazKeys]

Hello, I would route the bass sounds to the sub outputs of the Fantom. I would then take the main outputs, and put them in a channel in the mixer, and I would do the same with the sub outputs of the Fantom. That way you can, adjust your mix according to the situation that night. Another possibility would be to get two separate direct boxes. One for the main outputs and one for the sub outputs. Still make sure and route your base to the sub outputs and that way the front of the house could adjust your mix as needed.

[@Bozmusic1]

Brother Ed. Great video. It's what I needed. What kind of mixer is this, or what brand would you use for 4 keys on a gig? Thanks.

[@marchangel7462]

Mackie or Yamaha.

[@shahwalnaz]

instead of output from Monitor , could i change it to output from Phones? because my mixer is only 5 channel and i dont have monitor/aux for my keyboard mix. thanks in advance.

[@REM977]

My question as well….

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

You can but most likely you will need a DI or an isolator. I use the radial’s stagebug SB-6 because I have many types of cables

[@phsycopiano]

Can you explain how to hook up a keyboard to a mixer? Whenever I do gigs I’m always only using just the L/mono and the sound guy says that’s all I need just one output. Well my questions are then why dose the keyboard come with L/R out outs and why is it that when I see other bands play they always use both outputs.

[@EdDiazKeys]

Go to 5:40 in the video to learn how to hookup you keyboard in stereo. As far as your sound guy only hooking you up in mono, that is a question for him. Sounds like he is only using a mono channel for you. Maybe your sound guy doesn't know what the stereo inputs are in the house mixer.

[@phsycopiano]

@@EdDiazKeys Thanks for the reply. He’s actually our guitar player/sound guy and trying to explain to him how keyboards work is next to impossible. It’s no wonder way the keys are always buried in the background. So glad I’m not alone. Thanks again.

[@merchgirl6170]

Never trust the guitar players… they’re always competing for loudest sound and think they know everything 😂🙄

[@panchoenns]

Hello i have a casio keyboard and a Mixer in it sounds like the mixer takes the bass away.. is there anyway i can fix it?

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

EQ

[@nsterenborg1643]

Do you guys have good recommendations for keyboard rig mixers?

[@EdDiazKeys]

This is a great question!!! I think that will be an excellent topic for a future video. In the meantime the short answer is, look more a mixer with at least 4 stereo inputs and 2 separate outputs.

[@marctronixx]

MACKIE is still a good contender!

[@justaname1862]

Rack mount line mixer...i still use my Roland M120...awsome if you can find one

[@davidmiller3652]

Ed, I use Compact FX Pro Mixer thru QSC speakers and still get thumpy accoustic piano sounds from the Grand & Supra Piano samplings from my FA-08. What mixer should I use to finesse the accoustic piano sounds ? Or what better suggestions might you have ? Can't stand the thumpiness.

[@marchangel7462]

@@davidmiller3652 does your mixer have 3 band eq? If so dial out the lows. What size speaker? 12 is sweet spot for keyboards, 15 and 18 will start to get muddy.

[@marctronixx]

How in the Wide World of Sports did I miss this on crackbook???!?!?

[@EdDiazKeys]

??? LOL!!! What?!

[@marctronixx]

@@EdDiazKeys jajajajaja.. I mean Im used to seeing you pop up on the Fantom group with a crackbook live stream but i didnt see you post you were going live on your page so I missed the opportunity to view this live. still its good info or gigging cats (to which I am not) but I do have music production background and have worked with FoH crews on concerts in my time so I am totally picking up what you're layin down... :)

[@EdDiazKeys]

@@marctronixx Yeah, much of this is from my personal experience and disappointment. There is nothing more soul crushing as giving your all in a performance and realizing that no one heard you at all. Although, I too have worked with excellent FOH cats, and this is never a problem, but I do find that I like having total control of my monitor mix.

[@marctronixx]

@@EdDiazKeys ooh and crackbook = facebook! :)

[@EdDiazKeys]

marctronixx I had no idea. Learn something new everyday.

[@givangildamusica7106]

i dont have at

[@EdDiazKeys]

???

[@dannylegarda6906]

Yurt lxzh y

[@SVS1519]

Very complicated presentation, sorry.

[@KK-mv6xn]

Bro this is useful but have many doubts in many places so please make this video practical plzzzz it will help us more please........