Controlling a monitor mix.

[64Guitars]

Not sure if this applies to your situation, Glenn, and it's probably too expensive anyway. But I like the idea of the personal monitoring systems that I've heard about (just briefly) in music tech news items. They let each band member have his own personal mix instead of feeding the same mix to all band members. Roland has one, as well as a few other companies. Behringer's is probably the most affordable, though I don't think it's available yet.

http://www.rolandsystemsgroup.com/products/100024

http://www.behindthemixer.com/content/new-personal-monitor-mixing-system-behringer

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/P16-M.aspx

[launched]

I remember looking into a monitoring system that was similar. It had a main module with a multiport hub on it that you connected a personal mixer with a cat5 cable - It was too expensive for me but it looked like the end all be all, though. Wish I could remember the name of it.

[Glenn Mitchell]

Hi Glenn, how are you doing man, I don't really have anything to add to this discussion, but I just wanted to say Hi.

Hey Dave. How's the other side? The weather's turned out so nice here in the West we are rioting in the streets.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I see I'm not the only one with this problem. My near future obviously has some kind of multi use mixer involved. I'm sure the sound guys will be insulted tho.

[Flash Harry]

Sober.

And awake.

I normally use two channels of foldback for monitoring. I have floor wedges (up to 4) for the vocalists who need to hear mostly their voice, they are able to hear the stage so guitar, drums and bass are not in their mix, it's mostly voice and a bit of keys. This is set up on aux 3 for example and the Aux 3 output is sent to one channel of a foldback amp (don't skimp, we use a Peavey CX1000).

The back line for the guitarist, drummer, keys and bassist has a mix of vocals, guitar, keys and bass and is set up during the sound check. A mix is created on aux 4 for example and this goes to the other channel of the foldback amp and then to the backline speakers. I put the back line on stands.

You have to watch out for feedback, using decent stage mics such as SM58's helps, they have good rejection for anything off axis. The trick is to get everything audible above the drums, since drummers seldom come with a volume knob.

All this is separate to the auditorium mix which is also set up during the sound check.

Happy to help with specifics.

[Glenn Mitchell]

Thanks for that. I mostly understand, which is a step above a few days ago. So when I'm looking for my "Do it All" mixer, I should look for one that has a couple of Aux outs? Or is that what I look for on the PA head when I do a gig with someone else's gear?
I'm also looking for one that had a USB out for recording direct to the computer. Hoping it will do both, AND be small enough to lug around to gigs.

[launched]

From what you are describing, I think two aux outs is enough. Like Mike said, most will be cool with the heavy to vocal mix and then you'll have another output left for the difficult ear.

A mixer with a USB recording device would be handy. And hopefully you can find one small enough with multiple Aux outs.

[Flash Harry]

Thanks for that. I mostly understand, which is a step above a few days ago. So when I'm looking for my "Do it All" mixer, I should look for one that has a couple of Aux outs? Or is that what I look for on the PA head when I do a gig with someone else's gear?
I'm also looking for one that had a USB out for recording direct to the computer. Hoping it will do both, AND be small enough to lug around to gigs.

Minimum of 2 aux channels. You can use the other aux channels for effects like reverb on the vox, compression on the bass / overheads for drums etc.

USB out is OK, but the auditorium mix is unlikely to be a good recording mix. If you want to record live you can use aux outs as a separate stereo mix (assuming you have a stereo desk)

Better still is a multitrack recorder (I use the Alesis XT 8 track) and do an off line mix. But this needs a channel pre-fade output and your desk is more complex.

It does mean that you have to get all your drums mic'd up and do a separate mix for these.

[Rata-tat-tat]

Want lotsa bang for your buc... I picked up one of these systems and it worked wanders.... my only complaint is that I haven't found an earbud that will stay in my ears while I'm drumming... constantly adjusting them back into the ear. This is really a drummers dream come true. Can't believe I went all this time without picking one of these systems up. No more lugging around heavy monitors and no more feedback issues. Worked for me.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-GAA-AS9004K1-LIST