Mixing floor monitors can be a headache-inducing, hair-pulling, I-should-have-been-a-lawyer experience. And that's just what the musicians think. The process is often unnecessarily complicated. To this I say, "No more." There are only three areas for concern. Through mastering these aspects, monitor mixing can be downright enjoyable.
Location
A good monitor mix can only be achieved with a good monitor setup. The musicians need to be close to their monitor for hearing everything they need without impacting other musicians and the congregation. Regarding the congregation, if the amount of stage volume is so great it negatively impacts the house sound, the worship experience will likely suffer.
Musicians should stand within a few feet of their monitors and look down the speaker cone. If they require a music stand, then the monitor should be moved so it's pointing directly at their heads, without the music stand in the way.
Poor monitor placement can cause feedback. For example, the bassist could be standing next to the drum kit. Push the kick drum and snare in their monitor mix, and a poor monitor alignment could result in feedback. So watch for microphones in line with the monitor.
The final piece of monitor placement is corralling the musician. The common problem is a wandering musician. They go through the sound check while standing in the proper spot. As soon as it's time for the first song set, they step back a few feet and look at FOH as if to say, "Dude, why did you kill my monitor?" Most musicians stay in the right spot, with only a little movement. In the case of the wandering singer, I put a piece of gaff tape at their spot, look them in the eyes, and say, "Stay!" Ok, maybe not, but I do tell them to return to that spot if they have monitor volume problems.
Go down the line and ask all the musicians if they need monitor changes. Some people are simply afraid to speak up.
Mixing
If the musicians and the monitors are in the proper place, it's time for mixing. Monitors provide sounds musicians need to perform in time and in key with the band. In short, monitor mixes are about tempo and pitch. Monitor volume is what's required so they hear those elements, but monitor volume is not a solution in and of itself.
It's time to think like a musician. However, it's a mistake to let musicians try to cram everything into their mixes. The keyboardist doesn't need to have a monitor mix with all eight drum mic channels. Teach the musicians that they are apt to encounter more volume problems when they have too many channels in their mix. The needs of each musician (instrumentalist/singer) are different, and they are best served with limited mix channels.
Now let's examine the needs of the worship leader. They usually play an instrument and lead the songs in voice. Therefore, start them with a mix of snare and hi-hat. The drum should be the one setting the tempo and the snare and hi-hat combo will give them that solid tempo. Then bring in their instrument, usually a guitar. Finally, layer their vocal on top.
The worship leader doesn't need to hear the backing vocalists. They don't need to hear the bass. They need what they need for tempo and pitch.
Contrast this with the backing vocalists who need to hear each other for harmonizing. Also, consider that the bass player needs the drums for tempo but doesn't necessarily need to hear the backing singers.
More Me
"Can I get more me in my monitor?" Don't be eager to grant such a request. Other musicians can be impacted by someone else's monitor change. For example, by increasing the worship leader's vocal volume, the backing vocalists might hear this excess volume and then require their own volumes to be increased in their monitors. It's a vicious cycle.
Upon receiving a "more me" request, evaluate the location of the musician in relationship to their monitor. They might have taken a few steps away from the monitor. A gentle request to return to the proper spot can do the trick.
Next, assuming they are standing in the right location, ask if there's a monitor sound that's too loud. They might have another instrument louder than necessary. A small volume cut to an excessively loud instrument might allow the person's volume to shine through. They will be getting more by getting less.
Finally, consider increasing the volume while keeping in mind the impact of the volume change. After increasing the volume and having the band play, go down the line and ask all the musicians if they need monitor changes. Some people are simply afraid to speak up.
Wrapping it up
Mixing monitors can be an enjoyable process. Use good placement practices, build proper mixes, and correctly respond to “more me” requests. The musicians will thank you.
