From jake92028@yahoo.com Wed Mar 08 06:02:52 2006
Subject:Amplifiers versus Monitors?

(dumb question - dissertion) Why do some players call their keyboard
amplifiers "amplifiers" and (a minority of?) others call their
keybord amplifiers "monitors"?

In my past experience - umpteen years - my keyboard sound has always
been through my "amplifiers" plus Leslies, and "monitors" have always
been for the vocalists (including me :) to hear themselves sing, so
they could hit the right notes. If I was playing on a large indoor or
outdoor stage/venue, I miked one of my Leslies and EP amplifiers once
in a while if it was standard practice for that venue, to make sure
the audience heard a little of everything. Quite honestly, I never
gave it much thought, as the audience that really wanted to hear was
mashed against the stage, as far back as you could see past the stage
lights, and we played through big, multiple, and very
loud "amplifiers." Outdoors in the daytime, it was about 'the same
thing, only different,' as audience was mashed against the stage as
far back as it was interesting to see. People in the rear (away from
the stage) of 'the house' were more interested in getting high or
drunk, hitting the snack shops/stands and on each other.

But the "monitors" in the system were still for the vocalists, with
the players still playing through their accustomed, "amplifiers." It
would verge on musical insanity for any of the instrumental players
not to hear themselves as they always did, same with the singers,
playing an instrument at the same time or not.

Okay, times change, don't need to bring as much gear, but I still
have my usual amplifiers, rotary and stationary, right where they
always are, big or small venues - and I want to hear my vocal part in
the vocal mix through the PA monitors. I can hear the guitars and
bass, just fine, as they're playing through their usual amplifiers,
drums with same kit, same location, same with any horns, no matter
the venue. Someplace's 'house rules' to mike amplifiers and drums,
etc to reach every ear all the way to the bouncer, fine. It'll be
their surround-sound PA and monitors, with house tech that's used to
doing it his way, not too bad or he would've been fired. So I don't
care as long as I can hear the vocals, not usually a problem. Mikes
and lines, hook me up, thank you. It'll be good (hopefully) 'way out
there' or not, and the audience that really wants to hear the band
(*message) is, as always, mashed against the stage or came early to
get good seats/tables (sometimes pushed right up to the stage so it's
hard to set up) or paid for seats in the front rows, and they will
hear me - I just want to hear my vocals so I'm 'in tune.'

The one exception locally I have to go along with are the occasional
Indian casino gigs, several small and larger not too far from me.. if
you catch a night on one of their small indoor stages, most have the
same rules: no amps onstage, all instrument post EQ/FX line in to
backstage PA with house sound tech, only hear yourself through small
front monitors (aagh! horrible!) so as not to disturb the gambling
customers milling around. These gigs pay good and are wanted for the
$$$ but universally hated as 'wallpaper music.' If you catch a casino
outdoor evening gig, bring your amplifiers, and the sound tech will
do whatever. I don't care, same reasons and stuff as above.

Keyboard players that play mainly through the PA - I don't know any,
musical friends don't either - and (only?) want to hear their
keyboards through their monitor.. I don't 'get it' and have to plead
ignorance. I see the music shows that interest me on TV, everybody's
got their amplifiers, keyboard player with his Leslie and keyboard
amplifier along with the other players and their amplifiers -
smaller, yes, so I know that performance is being fed to a great PA
with a pro sound tech via line outs and mikes - not always everything
you'd want to hear in the recording. And I can deduce from the
smaller club-size amplifiers, these could technically be
termed, "monitors," but all players are playing through basically the
same amplifiers they would use for club venues to get their
accustomed sound.. I 'get' this.

But 'regular' working musicians popular enough to draw a nice crowd
here and there? Unless you're playing all venues closer to football
field size, why play through the PA with only a monitor to get an
idea what you sound like? I'm sticking with the middle of the road,
my usual amplifiers, please, mike 'em if you must, and those who care
enough to hear the band really 'good' will be close enough to.

Exceptions to the rule for unusual situations like big USO shows, for
instance, when you want to go 'all out' - rent a big PA front, back,
and monitors and bring a great sound guy that gets paid what you do.

otherwise lo-tech ~ Walter j