Hi all --

I'm new to the group, and am very interested in getting into arranger keyboards. I have worked with synths and workstation type keyboards for a number of years, and although my reply is not arranger-keyboard specific, I have noticed a strong difference in mono vs. stereo operation.

I've noticed definite sonic differences in my Trinity from mono to stereo. My DX7 is not as bad, b/c it only has one output, but I find it really wakes up if I run out of the headphone jack. Stereo effects really "swim" a lot better than mono effects, too, in my opinion.

I work in churches as a guest vocalist or worship leader from time to time, outside of my regular gig as keyboardist in my local church. It seems like most churches of any size have adopted this "cluster" type of PA setup in which the PA enclosures are grouped together above center stage at the ceiling. Hence, they run in mono, as there is no need to attempt a stereo split in this type of setup. Churches that have a left and right side speaker array are for the most part still running in mono, also. I can probably count on one hand the number of churches I've been to in the last 15 years that have a stereo PA.

When I carry my own system and run in stereo, I get lots of very favorable comments from the congregation, house sound people, the worship leader and pastoral staff on how nice and full the sound is, and how lovely my small system is (Mackie 1402, two OLD Peavey 18" subs w/Crown PowerBase amps, and two JBL Eon 15's), and how they wished they could get that good of a sound from their system. I'm no pro sound engineer by any means; I just run a couple keyboards, a vocal mic or two, and a CD player. So, I guess a little stereo separation never hurt anyone!

-- DN