Monitor setup - is this a bad idea

[Crash006]

We have an old upright piano that was gutted and a Yamaha electric piano placed inside. We have issues with volume never being right at this keyboard as there is only 1 DBR10 monitor on the left side of the keyboard. This monitor can’t go anywhere else as it would interfere with vocalists if it was on the right, and it can’t go out in front as the old upright has the high back blocking any sound and creating more of a sound deflector. I think part of the issue is the person sitting at the keyboard has their monitor on their left ear and set so they can hear themselves but they lose the feel or crowd noise as the one ear facing the crowd has a monitor blasting it. Our keyboard sits so one ear is more so at the end of the stage and one ear is towards the crowd.

Would it be better to have two monitors one for each ear so they could hear better. In my amateur brain I wondered about mounting 2 small studio monitors in the open corners of the upright which is hidden from the crowds vision.

Is that a good idea?

Don’t think this person would go for in-ears. Hence why I am wondering about another solution.

[Bob Bickerton]

Two stage monitors seems a bit over the top, but a number of keyboards have in-built speakers - not generally monitor level, but you could adapt the shell of the piano and install one or two smaller speakers. The pianist would no doubt find this more immediate.

The sort of thing you could try is something like: https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P0957

Bob

[Crash006]

Thanks for the reply bob.

What you mentioned about installing one or two small behringer speakers was where I was going with my comment. There is room is the upper left and upper right corners of the upright piano shell for a mount to be done.

Definitely was not considering two floor wedges.

[Eddy Deegan]

When I was playing keyboards in rock gigs for a living I found that there is a lot to be said for a toppy monitor. The front of house sound is what counts for the audience but on stage you don't need to hear the same mix; the primary consideration is hearing what you are playing.

If your keyboard player has a monitor with emphasised top-end then it cuts through the competing frequencies from other back-line gear and they are less likely to feel the need to crank the volume up. They may not be a fan of the sound but if they understand that it's merely that of the monitor then it'll reduce the required volume of the monitor and should work very well if you have someone on the ball handling the FOH mix.

[AlecSp]

Don’t think this person would go for in-ears. Hence why I am wondering about another solution.

Maybe suggest it, rather than assuming. What you're talking about is not far off from a pair of headphones...

It's also very common to see keyboard players with a pair of nearfield monitors. They like the pair as they can hear their instrument in stereo, and like the immersive nature of the sound (based on the comments they've given me). Admittedly, when using this kind of setup, they tend to use their own kit and bring it with them.

[Dave Rowles]

Don’t think this person would go for in-ears. Hence why I am wondering about another solution.

Maybe suggest it, rather than assuming. What you're talking about is not far off from a pair of headphones...

It's also very common to see keyboard players with a pair of nearfield monitors. They like the pair as they can hear their instrument in stereo, and like the immersive nature of the sound (based on the comments they've given me). Admittedly, when using this kind of setup, they tend to use their own kit and bring it with them.

Totally agree. the conversation needs to be had, and it's more than possible to set up a "crowd" mic to feed into the IEMs. At the end of the day, if the monitor is blaring loud enough to cut out all crowd noise, then it's pretty screaming in volume, and I'd be concerned about future hearing loss. With IEMs you can drastically reduce the volume, but still have the feel and control.

Otherwise, building 2 small monitors into the piano seems like the most logical way to go.

[Crash006]

Thanks all.

I am going to talk with her again to see if she would be willing to at least try in ears. Being a smaller church move to newer tech is scary to some people. Luckily a few vocalists have had interest so fingers crossed.

If that doesn’t work I want to try the smaller speakers mounted in the piano case to see if that helps.

[Drew Stephenson]

If that doesn’t work I want to try the smaller speakers mounted in the piano case to see if that helps.

Worth considering the little Mackie CR range if you go down this route.