Stage Monitor VS No Monitor for Live Solo Gigs (with a Portable Column PA)
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 1. 05. 2023
- Do you really need a stage monitor as a live solo musician?
The short answer is probably not. It's just you up there. And especially if you're playing through a portable column PA system like the Electro-Voice Evolve 50M.
***You can get the specs for the Evolve 50M here:
bit.ly/3KZ21Jc
***Buy the EV Evolve 50M from Sweetwater:
sweetwater.sjv.io/75aGzA
***Buy the EV PXM MP12 Wedge Monitor from Sweetwater:
sweetwater.sjv.io/B0nv6L
In this video, I show you how to connect your floor monitor to the Evolve 50M system. I'm pairing it with the Electro-Voice PXM MP12 floor monitor.
You'll also hear some examples behind the stage with the monitor and without the monitor.
Lastly, I share some reasons you may want to consider using a floor monitor even if you use a portable column PA.
Oh, and hang around for the end where I go through my gear for this particular show.
Also, thank you to Fiorelli Winery where I filmed this video. This is an amazing place to visit and do some wine tasting while listening to live music. I'm typically there on the first Saturday of each month.
Keep Playing Music,
Jason
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Iâm glad to see you being sponsored by a company. Well-deserved as you make great vids with good information. With my experience 20 years ago, most of my gigs already had monitors up but I totally understand what youâre talking about. I always liked having a monitor on the stage below me so I can hear myself isolated, but I found that it caused me some times to gravitate towards a certain spot on the stage, rather than move around and be entertaining.
Thank you! Yeah, I totally understand the sound spots on stage with having a monitor. Iâm sort of limited how much I can move around because itâs just me and Iâm singing but I do try to step out when I solo over a loop.
And with the 50M, I really donât need a monitor so that gives you a lot more freedom.
Congrats on the sponsership man! You definitely deserve it, love the content! The EV setup sounds nice, I might have to look into one.
Itâs an awesome system, especially for solo gigs. It has cut down the time and hassle that comes with a traditional PA and the sound seems more crisp and has that bottom end with the sub. That really makes the acoustic guitar sound better.
Congrats brother on the sponsorship. It's a great company to have behind you.
Thank you, and yes, EV has been awesome to work with!
Duo or solo we always use a floor monitor with our evolve 30Ms, our previous evolve 50s and with our traditional 2 way boxes. Depending on the situation a floor wedge can help get more sound in the room but most importantly i need that loud and clear sound directly at my ears on stage.
Yes we have IEMs but have stuck with a floor wedge. It's also extra insurance in case your only main goes down at least you have another speaker to get you through the gig.
Thatâs a great way to look at it, having your monitor as a backup. And yeah it certainly helps with hearing yourself talk m stage. Thatâs cool that you do solo and duos!
@@jasonstallworth thanks...by far it's duo though.
Oh yeah, I could tell the difference in your video with the monitor but those evolves sure do spray the sound around for only being rated at 120° don't they?!
Awesome Jason. Your videos are great!
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Again, a great video. Takes time and effort to make these.
On to the monitor. It's a must for me. I went from tube amp and mixer and powered speaker, to a multi effects pedal into power speakers. I personally feel that having a floor monitor, gives me the sound vibration that I need. No more lugging an anp around. At the same time I get my body feeling the music. Some use ear phone's..doesn't give the same vibe when you are playing. Not to mention you look like a DJ! I also use an analog drum machine. So I can hear the beat time. I also play my mouth harp and looper. Crowds can get loud and when you can't hear....it's a bitch.
Playing in front of loud- drunk crowds, I feel this is the best for međ.
I guess, according to the venue, figure out what's best. There is no golden rule.
Newbes need to figure it out though trial and failure. No replacment for experience.
Thanks for the videos. We are an exclusive club.
I also wanted to mention the hundreds of hours of dialing in everything. No plug and play...baby!! Forgot to add ...I love loud- drunk crowds. They are the most fun !!!!
The loud drunk crowds đ and yeah, Iâm with you on feeling the music with the floor monitor. For the smaller shows, I donât use it but there are a couple of places where I need it
I switched from a BOSE L1 Compact to a Yamaha Stagepas 1K which is very similar to the EV. Smaller gigs (solo singer songwriter) I just use the Stagepas. Recently I had an outdoor gig in a large field and I added a second Powered speaker and linked them and positioned the speakers out in front of me so I could up the volume without getting feedback from the mic and used a monitor. It worked pretty good.
I would like to get a smaller monitor for these solo gigs.
btw - I am a new singer songwriter (just 2 years in ) and have started playing live shows. Your channel has been a great resource - Thanks for sharing !@@jasonstallworth
Congrats on sponsorship dude, well deserved! Wanted to drop you a comment since I am also using an EV Evolve column system (we are using the 30) for the acoustic duo I am part of. We have done 2 gigs with it so far and I really love it, the ease of setup and footprint is so much better than lugging powered speakers along with stands and cables, not to mention we don't need a separate mixer anymore!
At the first gig we didn't use a monitor and we could hear ourselves pretty well, but I was having a bit of a hard time hearing my vocals so I suggested we try a small floor monitor. It definitely helped me so we will be continuing with the monitor at our gigs from now on.
Itâs awesome to hear youâre gigging! And this system has simplified everything!
Yes, I know what you mean by the monitor and hearing your vocals. I have a short low key 2 hour show tonight and wonât bring a monitor but another 4 hour show Saturday and will use a monitor for that
Another helpful video. Thank you for sharing.
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I personally use in ears for live. However as I havenât used stage monitors in many years, I would like to maybe try one at some point. Great video, very informative as Iâm very interested in the EV 50 line array. Thanks for sharing đ
Thank you! Yes, Iâm loving this system. Itâs simplified everything without sacrificing sound quality. I definitely recommend it for solo gigs (and duos and trios).
Iâm working toward testing this system with a band soon so stay tuned for that!
Great tips Jason. đ
Thank you brother!
I use the Bose L1 Compact Line array system for most of my solo gigs, and I generally run straight into it for my vocals and acoustic guitar. When I hosted a weekly Open Mic night, I added a Mackie Mix8 mixer with two vocal mics and a Kustom 50w floor monitor. Most of the players appreciated the monitor for the reason you stated, that they could hear themselves a little louder. It certainly was a benefit for the two singer/two player acts to hear each other better. Used the same mix for the monitor and the main. I still use it regularly with dou's and larger, rarely use it for my solo gigs. Thanks fo the videos!
Yeah the monitor comes in really handy when you have another person up there with you!
Dude, So happy for you that you went EV portable PA. They really are so user friendly on so many levels and are just great all around.
I went with Bose, but def gonna look into the EV's when I'm ready for an update.
Hope to catch one of your performances sometime. đ€đ€
Thank you, and yes, this system had made my gig life so much easier! And when you come out to one of my shows, let's have a brew!
ABOUT EV...I was in a very large group of audio sales professionals that were given a demonstration/shootout between ALL of the major PA systems (all-in-ones as well as subs with mains - JBL, PreSonus, EV, Bose, QSC, Mackie, Yamaha). The vast majority of us chose EV because they have a much more natural/warm sound without all the harsh mids and highs that often plagues the others to varying degrees. Big fan of EV! Great vid!
Thank you for sharing! Yeah, I love this system! I play out 2-3x a week with it and it's been great in so many ways, from sound to setup!
You do a really great job, Jason! Your efforts do not go unappreciated!
Still want to catch you at Fiorelliâs. Iâve got a gig this Saturday, but I plan on coming (hopefully next month)
Cheers! BTW, Iâve been playing through a Fishman Solo columnar PA for about 20 years, and (as you said) love the ease and quickness of the setup!
Thank you, I appreciate that! It will be cool to see you there next time.
Nice one Jason congrats for being sponsored by EV. I bought one 30M for my acoustic solo gig and it works pretty well. I place it behind me at 30 deg angle. I havenât missed having monitor. Still thinking if I should get one more 30M for larger venues
Thank you. Yeah, having 2 30M systems would definitely create a full sound for the larger venues especially for duos and band as But for solo gigs, I think one is fine
Hey Jason..great videos, man! Iâm using the EV 30M..could not find a guitar or vocal sound that I loved so now i go thru the DI on my Fishman Loudbox mini to my Mackie FX10v3 mixer then out to the EV30M and it made a huge difference. Iâm having monitor issues so I appreciated your video.
I'm going to be trying my Mackie mixer with the Evolve 50M soon!
Nice Tak! I got a couple. Great live guitar
Itâs my favorite and has been a workhorse for gigs!
Great channel
Thank you đđ»
Thanks for all the info' Jason much appreciated,I myself use the rcf evox J8 (not the mix') system and find it's fantastic for what I need,solo' with guitar and tracks,
It's a great system!
Just came across you through looking on line Sweetwater. Appreciate your vids. Iâm somewhat new on live gigs.. going on 5 years now.. including the CoVid lull. Iâve started with the Harbinger 1000, but really like the EQ on ipad or phone .. I really need the monitor..right now I have a JBL behind me so I can hear along with the audience. Iâll go through your tutorials and other vids.. Thanks !
Lance - LĆM LĂve
It's great to hear you're out there playing live gigs! And thank you for letting me know how you got to my channel...that's cool and interesting!
I know you're already playing live, but I have a complete tutorial that may also help you: czcams.com/video/dy0Ru6RHH9c/video.html
I love that Telecaster tone
It's a nice one! Here's the video where I finally bought it from my friend: czcams.com/video/pHhMAbgWwKU/video.html
Iâve been positioning my EV 30 wrong. Putting it behind us so we can hear what we are playing at the same time kinda limited the volume capability of the 30m since it started to feedback on us. Thanks for this video, no I know to put this baby in front and actually not need need any monitor.
Yeah I was really surprised the first time I played through this thing (at the FL State Fair) that I didn't need a monitor!
Depends really on the performance, loudness of the array and many other things. We have LD array system, similar specs as Evolve. My 5 cents regarding monitors:
* after we put some beat from acoustic guitar to the loop, when you come to a busy part of the song, shredding chords, the beat can get lost - the minute you loose it all goes to hell :)). With monitoring that doesn't happen and there is no stress if you are going to miss something.
* If someone gets too close to the mic when singing, you can hear it in monitoring and you hear what the audience hears.
* If you want your system to go really loud and if you dont have monitoring you must place it under the super precise angle and distanced from you so you are not affected by the full volume but hear everything you need. But you will also hear it only from one side - which also doesn't feel nice and natural. Why to have this math in mind if you can place the array anywhere you want when you have a monitor :)
* When having monitors you feel more privacy and closeness with the musicians and the sound overall. Just makes you feel more confident and enjoy it.
In general, it's always better to hear things than not to :)
Those are excellent points dude! I'm actually packing my monitor for a gig tonight as it's n a bigger stage, outside where we get some noise from the fans, and it's kinda loud for the large and open audience. So a monitor really helps.
But I also get having one for the closeness. It can impact (in a good way) how you sing and play, and your overall approach.
@@jasonstallworthdo you find 12â or 10â to be more suitable monitors? And why? :) The reason i ask is you have simular setup as i do. I own 10â, and it has a great clarity and good bass extension up to 58hz, but sometimes i think its not punchy enough mainly for the beats or when you need more into face sound, but 12â, on the other hand, has a bit less balance and clarity but its more punchy. What is your opinion on this?
Good info..yes,difference with monitor on...I'd recommend a Bose Lpro series that CAN be placed 5 feet behind a few feet to your side and doubles as a monitor
For the larger stages, I've been using the monitor but smaller venues, I just use the Evolve 50M
Nice! I do think the monitor gives clarity to what the crowd is hearing, in my opinion.
Y'all get the metal mastermind courses!
They really help at all levels and inspire you to create your unique style instead of sounding like just another cover band and make your own music.
From beginner to master, there's something inspiring for you within.
You know what you like, make it manifestđ€đđ€
Youâre right, the clarity on stage with a monitor vs not using one is just for us musicians. I have a good friend who prefers to have a monitor on stage in all situations. He wants to hear the clarity for himself, which that can help with your performance.
And thank you for all the support!
@Jason Stallworth you've always got my support, brother. The courses are praiseworthy, and they're missing out on some good stuff if they don't get them and give it a try!
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Great video! I use a BOSS Cube Street EX. It's WAY smaller. Sounds great and 25% of the price of the EV you demo. Just FYI. Not a one-for-one comparison however :)
It's great that you're out there doing it!!
@@jasonstallworth I love performing and I'm learning SO much too.
You can always put
the m 50 in the middle of the stage slightly behind you instead of on one side of the stage .
Yes, you can practically put it anywhere. Some places have large stages while other places, I'm playing in a small corner. The Evolve 50M has really helped in all gigs, both big and small
Thanks for your videos man, really enjoy them!
Iâm thinking of getting one of the EV PXM monitors just to use as an FRFR cab for my floor modeller, what did you think of that combination? Thanks!
I'm not familiar with that exact model but sounds like it should work fine. It's best to hear someone else using it though before buying so you know what to expect (if possible)
Hello from Spring Hill Florida
Weâre in a good spot for live music!
That we are I am in the middle of putting a band together PA system and mixer come in today itâs my first time ever doing anything like this with sound I think itâs going to be fun
For my solo gigs Av tried IEM (nightmare) av that exact same wedge you use and more a hassle than itâs worth. Another big heavy speaker to carry with feedback to worry about if youâre in a tight space.
For solo gigs you DO NOT NEED A MONITOR. A drummer playing a stadium yes, a singer guitarist on a wee stage turn your speakers in a bit and use your out of front speakers. Keep your vocals proud on the mix. Donât have instruments or tracks too loud and youâll no need anything else ans u can enjoy what the audience can hear
Iâm with you thereâŠfor most gigs, I donât need a monitor with the Evolve 50M. And itâs liberating to carry and setup leas gear!
I could still hear myself when I turned the monitor off in this video.
Once again, a very helpful video...last night I played solo acoustically in the corner of a bar and had my Traynor 65 watt acoustic amp/pa behind me on a cruiser table, and I didn't feel I needed a monitor...in the case of the outdoor setting your playing in, with the EV pa speaker in front of you, and the atmospheric elements, it seems like a monitor would be well suited for that kind of scenario...that being said, the sound is pretty clear when you have the monitor off, though there isn't that "fullness" you seem to get when it's on...namely, it seems like the "lows" are coming through more when it's on...is it safe to say that a monitor is generally used to "mirror" what the crowd is hearing for your own ears, so you can better make adjustments, or just to make the sound as enjoyable for yourself?...I can certainly understand how your wife, being primarily a singer, would want a monitor for herself...I'm actually considering investing in a powered speaker that I can use as either a stage speaker (facing out), or monitor, for larger rooms and such...I'd either connect my Traynor amp (DI out) to it, or my small Behringer mixer.
Yeah, putting the Evolve 50M in front of me has really helped and I rarely use the monitor anymore (only at one show that has a bigger stage...it seems I need it there)
good guitar
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We always hear about these array type units being able to be placed behind you and used as a monitor as well as the mains. That must not be the case? Everyone seems to place them out front like normal pa speakers.
You'll probably get feedback if they're behind you and the speaker is facing the mic. I talked to the EV folks about this and yes, these systems are less susceptible to feedback but iff the speaker is facing the mic, you can expect some.
It's weird how you can hear yourself with the system in front (sort of off to the side), but it works. I remember being floored by that the first time I played through one in this video: czcams.com/video/7i6DOxD1AlU/video.html
I could hear your vocals better with the monitor. I'm new to playing 3 hr gigs and have been using the house PA so far and haven't needed a monitor. However, when I perform at local open mics (about 2 a week), they have a house PA and monitor with someone working the sound.
Yeah, I noticed that as well as just played a show with it again with the monitor. I'll continue that for the larger stages and venues. But for the smaller ones, I won't bother with it. And yes, it's cool to play at those places with their own system...less gear to bring!
I also have a complete guide on solo gigs if you haven't seen it yet: czcams.com/video/dy0Ru6RHH9c/video.html
I am pretty hard of hearing (Thanks Uncle Sam!) and struggle if I play with another singer, cajon player or guitar player.
I recommend a monitor if you have any hearing loss.
Definitely a great idea in that situation!
Another solid video!
Lookin' at snagging a Evolve Floor Monitor, I've been on the fence for a bit.
I am interested in what your EQ presets look like on your EV50m during your shows. Any screen shots, or thoughts on your EQ?
Yeah the floor monitor is great to have! Here's a video where I share settings: czcams.com/video/PwKvC6dMITE/video.html
@@jasonstallworth solid! Thanks a lot brother. Just picked one up and anxious to use tomorrow for another gig. Iâll check out your presets. Keep on sharing that awesome content man I really enjoy your videos. Iâve learned a lot of things from you, so I really appreciate your willingness to teach and share.
the Aux out will allow you to independently control the monitor system for each input channel.
Thatâs fine if I have someone out front helping with the mix but if your just yourself u need to keep an eye on the out of front mix, taking the front mix as a monitor if itâs just vocals and gtr is the best way
Thank you for sharing this. Thatâs a great feature to have.
If youâre in a small place I would go for independent monitor mix. Just by removing fx on your monitor could remove feedback.
Hi Jason, thanks for sharing your solo setup. Does the Evolve allow you to completely eliminate the use of a mixer? Would there be advantages to using a mixer along with the Evolve system? Thanks brother đ
Yes, it does. You can use the mixer on the system or use their app.
I recently started using my Mackie Profx10v3 mixer with it though. I guess Iâm just used to having the physical mixer right there. So I plug it into one of the Evolve channels and it works great
Awesome, thank you, sir. I have been in bands since late 80s and just now getting into solo gigs...COMPLETELY different animal. Just started watching your videos and it has helped me to understand how much flexibility there is to consider regarding gear and setup. You inspire me, brother!
I'm curious to know if the column PA is sufficient on its own in a crowded bar/club setting where audience noise is very high. I could see the wedge being a necessity for that type of situation. I find that my guitar play gets sloppy if I cannot hear everything clearly on stage.
It should work perfect for that environment. And if youâre close enough to it, you should be able to hear yourself just fine. But itâs worth bringing a monitor and try with and without
I use the EV 50m and often play at busy bars where the audience is dancing right up near the stage. I have a looper/voice harmonizer as well. I often utilize backing tracks. A monitor or in ears is a necessity without and doubtâŠit changes from option to necessity. With such crowd noise, I cannot hear whether the harmonies are on, challenged hear parts of loops and starts and parts to tracks. I tried my EV 50m as a stand alone and found it to be fantastic for quiet venues, outdoors where people are far from stage and the sound isnât immediately absorbed. I wish it wasnât the case, but in many of my scenarios, itâs a must.
I was just in Bradenton a few weeks ago. I have been looking into a floor monitor, but my biggest question is, since im in a band should i have 2 or 3 or is it more preference
Dude Iâm there again this Saturday (and usually the first Saturday of each month)!
For a band, I think most will want their own monitor but it is a preference (some can get by just fine without one)
@jasonstallworth Awesome! My Grandparents my aunt and her family lives down there and I was there for about a week to visit but I'm sure I can make it down there again sometime. Thanks for the response.
I never use a monitor. I would like to get an array system and use my loudbox as a monitor which Iâve read is how a lot of people use it.
Dude, you really donât need a monitor with the Evolve 50M (and most column systems like this). The way the sound is dispersed, you can hear yourself quite well standing behind it or off to the side. Iâve got another gig tonight and probably wonât use my monitor (back at the other winery tonight, Keel and Curley).
If you want to carry less, what about using in-ear monitors? Most metal bands use these now.
For playing metal with a full band, yes, I think Iâd want in ear monitors. But for these solo gigs, Iâd rather use a floor monitor, or in many cases with this new system, I donât need a monitor.
YOU ALWAYS WANT A MONITOR
Depends on the venue and situation. Thereâs not always a one size fits all on stage (or in life). Oftentimes the Evolve 50M is more than enough in certain venues
i OUGHT TO SOUND AS GOOD ONSTAGE You play better when you sound good to you.
It all depends on the venue, room, stage, outdoors vs indoors in this case
KRK is obvious
Yep bright yellow stands out