Gigging Stereo Audio from two Keyboards???

[keelbolt]

Gigging keyboard player with Nord Stage 3. Am thinking about getting a Roland Jupiter Xm connected by midi, with patch changes set for both, etc etc. to give me some fatter pads than the Nord.
So instead of the usual one stereo audio pair, I would have two sets of stereo audio outputs to feed to sound guys.
Most stage sound guys provide one stereo DI box for keys, and anyway, I want to control the sound balance between the two myself.
So what's the easiest way to get the stereo output from the two keyboards into the DI? I have a Scarlett 8i6 in the studio, but it seems a big fag (and something else to go wrong) to try to set this up on stage. Is there an easier way? How do other gigging keyboard players do stuff like this?

[Hugh Robjohns]

A little mixer is the obvious solution. For applications like yours I use the passive ART SPlitmix:

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/art-splitmix4

It is wired for unbalanced stereo I/O so you'd need some TRS to dual TS splitter cables for the synth inputs and DI outputs.

[keelbolt]

Hugh, that's a great idea and a nice piece of kit - and thanks for responding. Nord Stage 3 has unbalanced TS jacks out. I'm fairly sure the 1/4 output jacks on the Jupiter Xm are unbalanced (there's a L&R XLR pair as well for balanced out). So hopefully reducing/eliminating the need for splitter cables.
What's the signal loss like through the ART splitmix?

[Hugh Robjohns]

So hopefully reducing/eliminating the need for splitter cables.!

No, you will need dual-TS to stereo TRS cables.

What's the signal loss like through the ART splitmix?

Detailed in the review...

"...there’s some inherent loss of level through the unit, even with the level control at maximum, typically amounting to around 12dB."

In practice, it's not a problem if you maximise the keyboard outputs.

[Wonks]

One possible option is to use the ‘monitor in’ input on either the Nord or the Jupiter Xm and feed that from the main outputs of the other keyboard. That should be routed to the main outputs, so you’d just have to juggle the relative volumes on the patch settings.

You’d just need a 1/8” TRS to 2x 1/4” TS lead.

Personally I’d prefer not to use a 1/8” jack plug for gigs, but for the price if a cable it’s something you could try out to see how reliable it is.

Or if you aren’t worried about stereo sounds (depending on the size of gig) and are given a stereo DI, then just take a mono feed from each keyboard.

[Hugh Robjohns]

One possible option is to use the ‘monitor in’ input on either the Nord or the Jupiter Xm and feed that from the main outputs of the other keyboard. That should be routed to the main outputs, so you’d just have to juggle the relative volumes on the patch settings.

You’d just need a 1/8” TRS to 2x 1/4” TS lead.

Good thinking! I didn't realise these keyboards had external inputs.

If you go this route I'd recommend finding a lead with right-angle mini-jack plug as that massively reduces the mechanical leverage on the socket contacts and greatly improves long term reliability.

[sonics]

One possible option is to use the ‘monitor in’ input on either the Nord or the Jupiter Xm and feed that from the main outputs of the other keyboard.

I use this method in one of my rigs. One nice thing is that it's convenient to use the main volume control of the "feeder" keyboard as a balance control for the times when I need to make adjustments.

I don't know either of those keyboards well, but do make sure the input can handle the maximum output, too.

I have a good quality 1/8" cable which is secured to the stand to minimise strain on the socket.

Two mono outputs can be a bad idea as it hands the sound engineer the opportunity of rebalancing your sounds, which may not be desirable.

[DGL.]

One of the cheapest acceptable solutions if you want a mixer is to get a berry 802, one even has a built in PSU so one less to lose.