Mixing Monitors Onstage

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Eric Sykes

Freshman
Mar 23, 2014
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I have a show coming up where I will have a mixer at FOH position, a mixer onstage to mix monitors, with both mixers connected using a split snake. The person performing is a solo performer that wants a stereo mix in two floor wedges, and an in-ear mix. Because I have always mixed monitors from FOH position I had a couple of questions. I was told from a friend that I should have the monitor mixer in Send On Fader mode. Because their are only 2 mixes in this setup, and the artist wants a stereo mix, is there any reason I can't use the onstage mixer Main L/R outs for the wedges, and use an Aux out for the in-ear mix? An X32 is being provided for the monitor mix. How would those of you with experience in mixing monitors from dedicated onstage mixers approach this? Thank you in advance!
 
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Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

Normally you'd have all the auxes set post fader which allows you adjust something equally in all mixes using the faders. As long as you don't mind losing that ability it'll be fine. What console is it? Are pre fader sends on it pre EQ too?

Chris
 
Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

According to his post, it's an X32. As the X32 has stereo auxiliaries, there's no reason not to just use that instead. It's designed for your purpose.
 
Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

Max Warasila said:
According to his post, it's an X32. As the X32 has stereo auxiliaries, there's no reason not to just use that instead. It's designed for your purpose.
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DING DING DING! We have a winner. The tool provided provides the tools.

For Eric - have a talkback mic so the star can hear you in his IEMs during sound check. Know how to put reverb in the IEM mix. ;) Another suggestion is to split each input to 2 channels so you have fully independent channel strip EQ for both wedges and ears. On an X32, I'd assign input 1 to channels 1 & 9; input 2 to channels 2 & 10, etc. Channels 1-8 would be for IEM and 9-16 for wedges. For your gig this will work exquisitely and you'll be a Monitor Beach Hero (just in time for spring break!).

Make your Stereo Mix (formerly known as "AUX") sends "post EQ, post fader" and you'll be able to mix from the top layer.

Have fun, good luck.

Tim Mc
 
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Thank you for your replies. @Tim, Your suggestion for splitting channels to gain independent channel strip EQ for both wedges and ears is something I do often when mixing monitors from FOH position. I should have given a bit more information on the setup for the performer in this situation.


The performer will only have one in-ear in place, and it will be used only for a click track and nothing else. Because of this I won't have to split channels, and I won't have to worry about offering him reverb in that mix. He will be singing and playing along to backing tracks which will include a full band mix (Drums, Bass, Guitars, Backing Vocals, etc). The floor wedges will have these instruments as well as his vocals and the guitar that he plays. This is why I was thinking that I could mix using the L/R out of the mixer for the stereo floor wedges, and use a Bus out for the Click track. Or, should I make Bus 1 and 2 stereo for the wedges and Bus 3 for the one IEM and run the mixer in Sends on Fader mode? Thanks again for your insight!
 
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Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

Eric Sykes said:
Thank you for your replies. @Tim, Your suggestion for splitting channels to gain independent channel strip EQ for both wedges and ears is something I do often when mixing monitors from FOH position. I should have given a bit more information on the setup for the performer in this situation.


The performer will only have one in-ear in place, and it will be used only for a click track and nothing else. Because of this I won't have to split channels, and I won't have to worry about offering him reverb in that mix. He will be singing and playing along to backing tracks which will include a full band mix (Drums, Bass, Guitars, Backing Vocals, etc). The floor wedges will have these instruments as well as his vocals and the guitar that he plays. This is why I was thinking that I could mix using the L/R out of the mixer for the stereo floor wedges, and use a Bus out for the Click track. Am I wrong to think this, and if so why? Thanks again for your insight!
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With that info, I think you should mix it however you're most comfortable.
 
Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

Thanks Tim! It seems mixing this particular setup may be easier to mix using L/R out. Can I ask, is it common practice to mix in Sends on Fader mode in this situation? How is an onstage monitor mixer usually operated?

Does anyone know of an online source where I can get more info on mixing with a dedicated mixer onstage? Thanks again!
 
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Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

Eric Sykes said:
Thanks Tim! It seems mixing this particular setup may be easier to mix using L/R out. Can I ask, is it common practice to mix in Sends on Fader mode in this situation? How is an onstage monitor mixer usually operated?

Does anyone know of an online source where I can get more info on mixing with a dedicated mixer onstage? Thanks again!
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It's an operational preference, and you're the operator. If you're more at home twisting aux send knobs, do it that way.

So the disclaimer: I'm mostly a system engineer and FOH mixer these days. When I first found the Yamaha M7 and the way the mix select/solo and sends on faders could work together, I saw a faster and better way to mix monitors than I'd had access to before.

20 years ago some poor souls thought I was a monitor guru. I got a fast education at their expense - and I think we all survived - but I greatly prefer to mix FOH. Other folks thrive on working directly with the talent in this rather intimate sort of way and I think their advice and counsel will be far better than mine.

And remember: Whatever ain't physics, is psychology.

Tim Mc
 
Re: Mixing Monitors Onstage

It is just like mixing mains, but several times over. I would pull down the monitors a bit, if not all the way when they are using IEM. If they feed back it is right in the ear as well.

Friends don't let friends mix monitors. and my fav. Do you know the difference between a toilet seat and a monitor engineer? A toilet seat only deals with one a-hole at a time.
 
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