During a soundcheck, the person in charge of the monitor mixes would likely start off with a basic mix of all signals feeding the monitors a healthy amount. In either case, mixing monitors always involved a little trial and error. There are now many iOS apps available, such as this QMix app from PreSonus, that works with their StudioLive mixers and lets performers adjust their own monitor mixes using iPhones and iPads. At smaller gigs, things might be even simpler, with the whole system using just one desk, and the FOH engineer also controlling the monitor mixes using the console's auxiliary buses. Although both the FOH and monitor mixers would be working with the same sources, the signals from the on-stage mics would be split into two, normally using a splitter, or sometimes with the monitor desk's direct outs being being sent on to the main console - pre-fader, of course, so that the monitor mixer's tweaks don't affect the front-of-house sound.

Traditionally, stage monitors at large concerts have been mixed by a monitor engineer working on his or her own desk, separate from the front-of-house mixer. Personal monitor mixers are a fairly recent phenomenon, brought about by the proliferation of digital mixing in the live-sound environment. Performers are often the hardest people to please when it comes to sound on stage - so why not let them create their own monitor mixes?

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