Handbook for Sound Engineers

Personal Monitor Systems 1421

Up to this point, it is assumed that the vocalists are
able to agree on a mix of the vocal microphones. While
forcing singers to share the same mix encourages a
good vocal blend, this theory commonly falls apart in
practice. Often, separating out the lead vocalist to an
individual mix will address this issue, and this can be
handled in one of two ways. First, place some of the
backup vocal mics in the instruments mix, and adjust
the vocal mix to satisfy the lead singer, even if that
means adding some instruments to the vocal mix. This
scenario results in:

• An individual mix for the lead singer.


• A mix for the guitarist and keyboardist that includes
  their vocals.


• A drum mix (at this point the bass player can drop in
  wherever he or she wants, often on the drummer’s
  mix).

The second option is to create a fourth mix for the

lead singer, without affecting the other three. This

configuration allows the guitarist and keyboardist to

retain control between their vocals and instruments,

while giving the lead singer a completely customized

mix. Does the bass player need a separate mix? That is

number five. Adding a horn section? That could easily

be a sixth mix. More mixes can be added until one of

two limitations is reached; either the mixer runs out of

outputs, or the maximum number of compatible frequen-

cies for the wireless monitor system has been reached.

37.5.2 Stereo or Mono?

Most personal monitor systems allow for monitoring in

either stereo or mono. At first glance, stereo may seem

the obvious choice, since we hear in stereo, and almost

every piece of consumer audio equipment offers at least

Figure 37-8. Two mixes, dual-mono.

Figure 37-9. Three mixes.