A question of output

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:03 pm

Hi everyone. I've had my Kronos X88 for almost a year now and have been primarily a guitarist for 30+ years. I've started to integrate my Kronos into my variety band's live show so I'm pulling double duty. I've used the Kronos twice so far in a live setting, both times running direct L/R out from the Kronos to two channels in the board via 1/4". I'm going to be playing more and more keys live and may not always be close enough to the board to facilitate running direct to the board. My question is to you with more live keyboard experiences is this... What is your preferred method of output from your keyboard when you aren't right next to the board that gives you the best possible FOH sound? I know there may be other variables at play, but I'd love to hear what those may be and how you overcame obstacles. I just want to be prepared to buy or assemble the right gear to facilitate this. Thanks!

enigmahack · Post by **enigmahack** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:15 pm

In my experience, most sound that is FOH will tend to have DI's to their board - I'd run through those. (Two DI's, one panned left, one panned right)

This isn't always possible so sometimes it's just a single mono out... Worst case I'd rent a keyboard amp and get them to mic that, but that's definitely not the best option IMO.

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:16 pm

1/4" to DI box?

holdsg · Post by **holdsg** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:23 pm

I use this, it has 1/4 in and XLR out.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... direct-box

When I have 2 boards in my rig, I use a compact mixer for the ins, and send 2 XLR (stereo) outs to the FOH.

I use this one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... 10&index=5

enigmahack · Post by **enigmahack** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:24 pm

Arizona Sage wrote:1/4" to DI box?

Yuppers. Most DI's tend to have XLR and Balanced 1/4" (though not all, be warned)

Fortunately the Kronos also supports balanced 1/4" so there's a possibility that if you were really stranded, you could get a 1/4" balanced to XLR... Wouldn't hurt to have.
But yes, I've typically just gone 1/4" out to 1/4" DI.

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:54 pm

Thank you guys for your answers and suggestions. These are things that we don't tend to focus on until we are faced with that situation on stage. Looks like I may be buying that mini DI box. I've already got the XLR cables and balanced 1/4".

Roadman · Post by **Roadman** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:57 pm

I use kronos as part of a 2 board live set up.
1/4 " jacks from L/mono on each, into passive DI box, then xlr each DI into desk. I don't bother with stereo, which us pretty much a waste of time unless you are doing something specific you need stereo for, other than that no one will notice any difference in a live setting. I also use a keyboard amp backline for monitoring purposes, particularly if you have a live drummer and bass player, not to mention guitarist!!

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:06 pm

I have one of these at home...guessing it would serve as a proper stand alone DI?

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/MX882.aspx

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:11 pm

Another thing to consider is where to set your output volume. I set mine around 65% so that I can turn up a bit if I have to. Sometimes the drummer gets excited. Like when there are cute girls in the audience or he needs to go out for walkies!

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:19 pm

Jeremy, I've been using your Separate Ways patch and made a combi based on your Don't Stop Believin tone on the low end and a synth up high for the pre-chorus...so thank you very much for all your hard work.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:08 pm

The Radial ProDI2 is a great quality affordable DI (less than a quality stompbox) that I can really recommend. Many pro companies use them, they have a very clean sound and are durable. If you have your own monitor control you can use the "through" outputs to tap the signal. I would definitely recommend running stereo whenever possible.

Another tip is that it's handy to have your overall level a little below maximum. I keep my main output pot at about 70 percent. That way you have a little room if a sound turns out to be too soft, or you have solo that needs a little boost. Try to keep your patches relatively level otherwise. If you have a regular sound guy who you trust, ask him to pay special attention to your levels some shows. It can be tricky if you're new to playing keys in a live setting.

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:31 pm

Thank you. I may just go that route. I would like to have a stereo output from a DI so this looks good.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:13 pm

Arizona Sage wrote:Jeremy, I've been using your Separate Ways patch and made a combi based on your Don't Stop Believin tone on the low end and a synth up high for the pre-chorus...so thank you very much for all your hard work.

Thank you! You're very welcome but I think all I did was suggest a sound. I don't recall doing a lot of hard work. Who knows though. We've got so much snow this morning that I couldn't even get out to try and get to work so my memory might be affected by the weather!

Sander is absolutely correct about trying to keep all of your levels even. I use the set list function always for live playing and if you press the edit button, you can then adjust the overal volume of the sound. The default value is 127 but I like to run it around 110 depending on the sound. Some of my organs sounds have a lot of gain so I have to set them a lot lower.

We play the song "Hush" by Deep Purple and since I use pretty much the same sound throughout the song, I have several variations of it in my set list with different volumes. The loudest being the organ solo part. I also do use my volume pedal but I find that having to sing, play and work a pedal all at the same time a bit too much so I just advance to the appropriate part in the set list and all is good. I use a foot switch to advance sounds in my set list and for organ I have my damper pedal programmed to change the Leslie speed. I don't like having to take a hand off of the keyboard to do that.
Unfortuantely I'm not allowed to go all Zaphod Beeblebrox and grow a third arm.

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:21 pm

I haven't gotten to the point of foot pedaling beyond the single damper. I'm tap dancing on my guitar rig as it is so I'll be easing into that realm. I do have a few Kronos patches that run loud, such as a few of the Rhodes pianos. One crisis at a time for now. =)

Arizona Sage · Post by **Arizona Sage** » Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:22 pm

FYI I just received word that my Radial ProD2 Passive DI box has been delivered. Thank you all so much for your input and help!