- \n
- Active vs. passive stage monitors<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- Connecting and mixing stage monitors<\/a><\/strong>\n
- \n
- Location, location, location<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- How to create a monitor mix<\/strong><\/a>\n
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- Pre-fader vs. Post-fader<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
What’s a stage monitor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stage monitors<\/strong> are the speakers placed on the stage that performers use to hear themselves and the rest of their band. Different venues and situations call for different monitoring setups. In larger venues, you will commonly see multiple sets of stage monitors, typically one for each member. In smaller venues, like a coffee shop, you might only see one monitor that multiple performers share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Active vs. passive stage monitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Active speakers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Active speakers have an amplifier built into the speaker enclosure and do not require an external power amplifier. They usually have connectors for balanced cables which makes it easy, as well. All you have to do is use an XLR or TRS cable to connect active monitors to one of the aux or bus outputs on the mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passive speakers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Passive speakers require the use of an external power amplifier to pass signal. They also require a balanced cable to connect the mixer to the power amp. However, you\u2019ll need a SpeakON, TS, or speaker wire depending which connectors the power amp and speakers have. To set up a passive monitor, connect the outputs of the mixer to the inputs on the amplifier. Then, connect the outputs of the amp to the monitor\u2019s inputs. While the inputs on a power amp receive a balanced signal, the amp\u2019s outputs send an unbalanced signal. This is because, by the time the signal has gone through the power amp, the signal to noise ratio<\/a> is pretty good so we don\u2019t have to worry as much about signal loss from cable runs of great than 20ft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Double check the specifications!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Improperly connecting speakers and amplifiers can cause damage, so read the User Manual for your monitors and amplifiers carefully and pay special attention to any information about connection types, impedance and power ratings. Make sure to check out our Cable Buying Guide or talk to a Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Connecting and mixing stage monitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you add a stage monitor to the PA system, you need to decide where it will be placed and how it will connect to the mixer. There are many different configurations, so you may have to adapt depending on the stage, but we\u2019ll share some general guidelines for where to place monitors, how to safely set them up, and give you a few tips for creating a good monitor mix<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location, location, location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Start by placing monitors 3-5ft in front of each performer or group of performers. The ideal location for a stage monitor is somewhere in front of the performer(s) and pointed away from as many mics as possible to eliminate the chance of getting feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the monitors are where you want them, the next step is to run the cables. Stage monitors are fed by the outputs on the mixer. If you have active monitors you can connect them directly to one of the aux or bus outputs right on the mixer or through a stage snake. If you have passive monitors however, the aux or bus outs will send the signal to the power amp and then to the monitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Place the stage monitors in the ideal location for each performer.<\/li>
- Turn each stage monitor\u2019s<\/strong> and its respective Aux output level<\/strong> all the way down.<\/li>
- Connect the mixer\u2019s Aux output<\/strong> to the stage monitor<\/strong> and power it on.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Feedback loops<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If a microphone pickups a stage monitor it\u2019s being sent to, a feedback loop (ringing tone<\/em>) will occur. Remember to keep the wrapped cable near the speaker in case you need to adjust its position, and make sure microphones and speakers aren\u2019t pointed directly at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration:](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/02\/Feedback-Loop-1-1024x454.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPointing mics at speakers will cause feedback.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
How to create a monitor mix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that everything is set up, the next step is to create a monitor mix. Creating a good monitor mix is as much art as it is science and a much deeper subject than what we can cover in this article. If you\u2019re interested in learning more about mixing monitors, we recommend reading our Musician\u2019s Guide to Monitor Mixing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stage monitor mixes work exactly the same way as the main mix. With the main mix, the channel faders control how much of each channel goes to the master fader and then out to the main speakers. In a monitor mix, the aux send knob controls how much of that channel goes to the aux master and then out to the stage monitors. If you want to hear more of one channel in the mains, you\u2019d turn up the channel fader; if you wanted to hear more through the stage monitors, you\u2019d turn up the Aux Send<\/strong> knob. Likewise, if you want more of everything, you\u2019d increase the Master Fader to hear it in the mains and the Aux Master to hear it in the monitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To create a monitor mix, start by turning up one of the Aux sends<\/strong> on a channel strip. That sends the channel to an Aux Master<\/strong>, which is then sent to an output of the mixer and the stage monitor connected to the respective Aux output<\/strong> jack. You then need to balance the aux send levels to complement the performer\u2019s needs. Think about what each performer needs to hear based on where they\u2019re positioned and what they need to hear so that they can perform at their best. We also recommend finalizing monitor mixes with performers while the mains are on. That helps acclimate both the sound engineer and the musicians to what the performance will sound like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Turn up the mixer\u2019s Aux output level<\/strong> to 0<\/strong>(unison)<\/em>.<\/li>
- While playing a sound through your mixer (microphones, instruments, or phone\/computer playback)<\/em>. Turn that channel\u2019s Aux send level<\/strong> to 0<\/strong>(unison)<\/em>.<\/li>
- Turn up the stage monitor\u2019s level<\/strong> to a comfortable volume. Once done, adjust each channel\u2019s Aux send level<\/strong> to customize the monitor mix.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Pre-fader vs. Post-fader<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For most mixers, monitor sends and outputs are configured as pre-fader<\/strong>. That just means the aux send is unaffected by volume, mute, and pan controls. This is particularly common for stage monitors, as you don\u2019t want the main mix level controls simultaneously changing the monitor mixes. For mixers where the pre\/post fader tap is selectable, always choose pre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- While playing a sound through your mixer (microphones, instruments, or phone\/computer playback)<\/em>. Turn that channel\u2019s Aux send level<\/strong> to 0<\/strong>(unison)<\/em>.<\/li>
- Connect the mixer\u2019s Aux output<\/strong> to the stage monitor<\/strong> and power it on.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- How to create a monitor mix<\/strong><\/a>\n
- Connecting and mixing stage monitors<\/a><\/strong>\n
![\"STAGE](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/02\/STAGE-MONITORS.png\")
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