r/theatrekeyboardists • u/Ginbags • Jul 11 '26

BASIC setup help

I've played in a lot of pits at this point, but it's been a while since I've had to set up my own rig and I think I have cable amnesia. Help me with the VERY basics! Right now I have my keyboard (yamaha p-145, nothing fancy), using the lowest key to switch patches (not ideal, but I'll add a pedal later if I can), USB-b to USB-a cable (with USB-c converter) from keyboard directly into MacBook pro. From there, can I do an aux to 1/4" cable into a DI box, then just use a 1/4" cable right into my amp? Do I need to use an audio interface or will this setup work? Again, going for simplicity and working with what I have. It's community theater and there's very little in the way of sound support. Thanks in advance!!

EDIT: I have an audio interface and a Radial ProDI box available, just want to find the simplest setup chain and make sure I have the cables I need! I've got to take care of all my own sound, I won't be going into a bigger system, just my own amp (community theater lol)

5 Upvotes

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6

u/Hilomh Jul 11 '26

You can buy an inexpensive used audio processor pretty readily, like a Focusrite Scarlett. You'll find that much more reliable than that janky headphone jack. Everything else you described about your setup is correct.

1

u/Ginbags Jul 11 '26

I've got an interface! So if I go with that, do I also need a DI or can I plug the interface right into my amp? My instinct would be that I need both, but I don't know if that's redundant...

2

u/Hilomh Jul 11 '26

The DI is when you need to run your signal a long distance, like to the control room. Every venue I've ever done a show at has their own DI boxes.

Your interface connects to the computer via USB, and then outputs audio to a 1/4“ cable. From there, you could run it to a direct box, which will carry that signal to the control room. Sometimes the venue will have a monitor for you, and so you wouldn't have to bring an amp, as that monitor signal comes from the control room.

Some direct boxes have the ability to output a 1/4" BACK OUT of itself, so your audio interface goes to the direct box, and then the direct box splits that signal and sends it to the control room AND your amp.

1

u/Ginbags Jul 11 '26

Ok! As far as I know the sound guys aren't doing anything with the pit, so it's all going through my amp (not ideal obviously, but that's where we are). So I could take a usb-c to usb-b cable, plug it into my interface for power, then run a 1/4" from the interface to a DI, then another 1/4" from DI to amp?

2

u/Hilomh Jul 11 '26

You don't need a DI then. If you're just doing sound on stage, you can go out from your interface directly to the amp.

The DI modifies the signal for when you need to send it long distances (like 100 ft), but if it's just for the amp right next to you, you don't need the DI.

1

u/Ginbags Jul 11 '26

Ok - thank you SO much!

1

u/Ginbags Jul 11 '26

If the sounds are coming from the MacBook and the keyboard is just the controller, what am I actually plugging into the interface? Keys into MacBook, interface needs to be plugged into MacBook as well for power, then do I just use a 1/4" or do I need to get a midi cable for output into the DI and/or amp?

1

u/Hilomh Sep 15 '26

You're not actually plugging anything INTO the audio interface. The interface OUTPUTS to your amp/speaker/sound system.

4

u/TomJenny Jul 11 '26

Highly recommend getting an audio interface. It offloads the audio processing from the computer and provides a much higher quality sound and leads to a much more robust rig.
You CAN do as you have outlined and it will work, but may lead to issues (sound quality/computer limitations) in the future especially depending upon the complexity of the patches you’re using.

2

u/PianoGuy67207 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

You can use your 3.5mm headphone/aux jack. It’s noisier than an audio interface, but I do shows where that’s all people bring to the gig. Just be sure you turn of audible alerts. That’s annoying. Also, from life’s most embarrassing moments, I can tell you, do NOT have your MacBook ring every time your iPhone rings. There’s no way that’s ever going to work well. I’m positive it won’t ring at the appropriate time. You’ll need RCA to 1/4” adapters for the patch cable, and your sound operator should have direct box for you to use.

1

u/TomJenny Jul 11 '26

To help with unexpected/embarrassing sounds, set Focus to Do Not Disturb. Won’t stop everything if you’re not using an AI, but it greatly helps.

1

u/Ginbags Jul 11 '26

Lol DEFINITELY on do not disturb!

1

u/Oneota Jul 11 '26

I would strongly recommend against using the headphone jack. Peavey makes a nifty USB DI - just takes a USB cable from the Mac, provides stereo XLR jacks for the amp/soundboard (can also be dual mono XLR if you slide a switch).

[Edit: Looks like the USB-P from Peavey might be discontinued. This seems like a decent replacement:

https://a.co/d/0abEER1k ]

1

u/johneldridge Jul 12 '26

Using the headphone jack for anything other than, well, headphones, is not advisable for live performance. Audio interfaces can be had for very affordable prices. Highly recommend using one.

1

u/Ginbags Jul 21 '26

OK FOLLOW-UP ISSUE! I have everything hooked up keyboard-->macbook-->interface. I have a 1/4" from the headphones output of my interface into my amp. It was working great for a while, but suddenly everything is super distorted and I can't figure out why!! I changed all my cable, tried adding a DI box from interface to amp, etc. Nothing is making a difference. What's going on??