How to Use a Drum Machine Live
- 1). Program the song list that you will be using for the live show. You can set up play lists on many of the drum machines available. Set the amount of time between songs so that any musicians who are playing can get ready for the song changes.
- 2). Plug the audio cables into a DI box for the sound man. He may need you to set up both left and right channels for stereo imaging. Use a 1/4" mono cable on both the left and right channels plugged into two DI boxes. This will allow the signal to remain strong as it travels to the sound board.
- 3). Sound check the drum machine through the PA system. Make sure that the overall level of the drums is complementary to the other instruments. If you need to use equalization for the programmed drums to sound correct, do so now as it will be difficult to change during the show.
- 4). Light the area near the drum machine well so that the person watching the drum machine can make changes easily and quickly.
- 5). Adjust the sound of the drum machine in the monitors so that any musicians who need to follow the beat can hear what is happening clearly. Without ample monitoring, your band or group will sound unprofessional.
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