How to Set Up Stage Monitors

In this video, Sweetwater‘s Mitch Gallagher details all things stage monitors, covering wiring and placement as well as how to dial in the ideal mix. Check it out!

0:00 — Intro
0:18 — What are Stage Monitors?
0:48 — Active & Passive Stage Monitors
1:51 — Passive Monitors & Impedance
2:17 — Hooking Up Active Monitors
3:44 — Adding a Second Monitor Mix
4:27 — Hooking Up Passive Monitors
6:24 — Place Monitors Onstage
7:57 — Creating Monitor Mixes
10:05 — The Wrap-up

#Sweetwater

[sweetwater]

Nail the live show with stage monitor tips from Mitch Gallagher! 🔊

[inthekeyofdrew]

I always appreciate when Sweetwater does videos like this. I am a local musician and music producer near Indianapolis and have years of experience with this kind of thing, but for those just starting out or those without much experience, these are great learning tools to get going! Thanks for these informative videos and please keep them coming so that music can live on!

[jenkinsiyalla]

2 yrs later and the video is still helping beginners. Thank you so much

[singingforaliving]

Seeing the visual description on how to use the aux knobs, left to right for mixes, and the channel strips, that alone was priceless.

[DanePeterson]

I've always wondered if Mitch sounds like this in every day conversation! Thanks a bunch for the info! Got a band and a budget PA and this was good to know.

[russellszabadosaka-pindin]

Thanks Mitch! All the gigs I’ve done, we’ve always played clubs with sound systems so I’ve never had to deal with this. It’s good to know for the future just in case.

[hazelfunworld]

Simple, straight forward and excellent explanation! Very easy to understand and apply. Thank you!

[KennyTseraha-xggu]

I totally agree. I've been following their videos for a while now and they are very clear and educational. I've learned alot with their videos. Thanks saltwater. Cheers and regards from Buka Island, PNG.

[parkerkenney]

I used stage monitors for the first time last Saturday because I’m just in a highschool cover band, and it was awesome. However, the sound guy didn’t have any instruments in it, but it was nice to be able to hear the vocals more easily.

[egankbaird]

What a great explanation of setting up monitors! I'm still new to doing sound and this certainly helps out a lot! Cheers!

[AdlaiAlexander]

This is fantastic! Great video. Clear, concise, precise. You make all of this very clear. Thanks.

[bwoybwoy]

Legit on of the best videos explaining stage monitors!!! This is a time saver 🙌🏽

[ZzackVee]

Bro Sweet water should do more Instructional videos like this! They are so helpful.

[Mister_Migs]

I have been looking for a video about this for SO long. I am so glad I found this! Thank you so much for the information! :) Passive speakers for monitors here we go!

[theproject]

Simple, clear explanation Mr.Gallagher is a perfect choice to be educated

[Dannyboy]

This guy a phenomenal instructional speaker.

[rambochauke]

What's a best of the best Teacher ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ clear and knowledgeable

[ogmakefirefiregood]

The eq placed after the aux send and before you power amp to monitor is very useful. Can really help control feedback and shape your sound for an excellent monitor mix.

[diegodeleontanner]

This video explained and clarified so many things, looking forward to put it in practice, Thanks!

[richardervins]

Little addendum for all performers that are instrumentalists and vocalists at the same time: To sing in tune or to be able to follow someone else to sing harmony, you need to hear the vocals in your monitors well. So the overall „daisy chained“ mix isn‘t what you‘ll want. For a four piece band you‘ll probably want 4 monitors (or in ear systems) and a mixer with 4 auxes. And today it is well worth looking at digital mixers that are remotely controlled by laptops, tablets, and even smartphones. With the latter and individual monitors each artist can adjust his vocal volume with his or her phone with the flick of a finger. Soundcraft for instance calls this feature „MoreMe“. 😊