Help! Best suggestion for connecting Multiple Keyboards

coachmike · Post by **coachmike** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 1:58 am

I have multiple keyboards and looking for the best suggestion of mixer, etc. to connect them to a CenterPoint Spacestation v.3? I have a KORB KRONOS2, a KORG Pa3X, a KORG TR and a HAMMOND SK2. What would be the best mixer to use to connect these keys to the CenterPoint? or I am open to other suggestive options. Thank you in advance for any assistance anyone can provide.

RKfan · Post by **RKfan** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 12:09 pm

Any mixer that has multiple stereo inputs - plan for adding other things like microphones and guitars. If all of these keyboards are stereo outputs then you need 4 inputs - so you are likely looking at least a 12 channel mixer. Then if you are recording to computer will you be using USB, firewire or through an interface. And I guess it depends on your budget.

I have for example a PRO 2, Kronos, Juno-G (all stereo) and a Bass Station II - plus softsynths which come out via USB. - I am currently using an ALTO 12 channel mixer and all works fine - except I have some sort of ground loop issue when recording which can add noise to the signal (worst on vocal) - I managed to get round this by recording vocal through the Kronos (with added benefits of MFX) over its USB connection.

amit · Post by **amit** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 12:56 pm

There are many options and it would depend on how do you want to connect these.

I take output of my arranger directly into Kronos. (in1 and in2)
and Kronos output (1/2) is connected to Mixer > Monitors and L/R as well connected to my Recording/interface.

I would Count how many outputs (stereo pairs) I need from the each of the Keyboards
and add about 2-4 extra input pairs for the Mixer (balanced preferred).

Yamaha, peavey,Mackie all make decent mixers (I would stay away from behringer ones as have found their components quality is not up to the mark)

coachmike · Post by **coachmike** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 1:01 pm

Thank you.

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 2:41 pm

Behringer make excellent digital mixers. I have two of those. The X32 and the XR 8.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search. ... &Go=Search

The components are as good as other manufacturers. The previous poster may be referring to non-digital mixers - and the one Behringer analogue mixer I have has never had any problems either (about 9 years now).

They come with a 3 year warranty, I think (X32 and X18).

X Air Series 18-Channel, 12-Bus Desktop Digital Mixer for iPad/Android Tablet with 16 Gain-programmable Midas Preamps, Integrated Wi-Fi Module, Multi-Channel USB Audio Interface, and Tablet Tray Behringer's cutting-edge X Air digital mixers integrate with your iPad, Android tablet, Mac, Windows, or Linux laptop - and even your smartphone, for unprecedented mixing power and mobility. Plug in your mic and line-level sources and mix from anywhere in the venue or studio via the... More Info...

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:20 pm

The Kronos has a mixer . I don't know about the Pa3.

I avoid separate hardware mixers since I noticed they can degrade Kronos sound quality .

Do an A vs B test. Kronos direct out to studio monitors. Then insert a mackie in the middle as B

psionic311 · Post by **psionic311** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 4:22 pm

Ksynth wrote:Behringer make excellent digital mixers. I have two of those. The X32 and the XR 8.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search. ... &Go=Search

The components are as good as other manufacturers. The previous poster may be referring to non-digital mixers - and the one Behringer analogue mixer I have has never had any problems either (about 9 years now).

They come with a 3 year warranty, I think (X32 and X18).

X Air Series 18-Channel, 12-Bus Desktop Digital Mixer for iPad/Android Tablet with 16 Gain-programmable Midas Preamps, Integrated Wi-Fi Module, Multi-Channel USB Audio Interface, and Tablet Tray Behringer's cutting-edge X Air digital mixers integrate with your iPad, Android tablet, Mac, Windows, or Linux laptop - and even your smartphone, for unprecedented mixing power and mobility. Plug in your mic and line-level sources and mix from anywhere in the venue or studio via the... More Info...

+1 on the digital XR18. $700

It has 16 Midas quality combination XLR or 1/8" preamps, and 2 more 1/8" jacks. Stereo XLR out, 6 XLR outputs, and headphones, all freely routable. EQ, compression, and gate on every channel, plus 4 high quality FX. A spectrum analayzer. So that's up to 9 stereo keyboards.

And if you're going to record or also use VST synths, it has 18 channels of audio send/return over one USB cable!n It's a handy portable stagebox, and is remote controllable using iPads, iPhones, Android, or Windows tablets.

If that is overkill, you can still get those quality Midas preamps and FX and digital routability with the $400 XR16. Only 2 channels of audio over USB tho.

Even the XR12 for $250 is a great choice. Good luck!

psionic311 · Post by **psionic311** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 4:47 pm

By the way, thanks for the post. The Spacestation has been popping up randomly in my web searches, and I just read the 62 positive reviews at Sweetwater... So I took advantage of their 3-year interest-free plan that ends today!

I've got a Spacestation and an IQ15B sub on the way... and just in time for auditions for a gigging band next week. Synchronicity on a Synchrony credit card....

Can't wait to hear my Kronos through this... I'll be running everything through an XR18 to boot!