FIG. 1: The Yamaha PSR K1 includes integrated speakers as well as fixed-level RCA outputs. That makes it easy to use in a computer-based lab setting and as a performance instrument with no additional -equipment or rewiring.

Music technology labs are the most powerful teaching tools available to educators. Most lab instructors focus on computer-assisted areas such as digital audio, MIDI sequencing, and, to a lesser extent, notation. Classroom ensemble performance tends to be overlooked in favor of individual or small group projects.

I am surprised and dismayed by how small the number of educators is who include real-time classroom keyboard performance in their curriculum. Performing music with other musicians is an aesthetic experience quite different from assembling a musical piece one part at a time, using computer software. The ensemble-performing experience is especially important in a general-music class consisting of students who may never again have such an opportunity.

HARD HEARING
In order to perform together, students need to hear themselves as well as the rest of the ensemble. That isn't a problem in an acoustic ensemble; when I played violin in my college orchestra, I had no problem distinguishing the sound of my instrument from that of other instruments. In most labs, however, that is a major problem.

As far as I know, no lab controller allows students to play together through headsets or classroom speakers and to adjust the volume of their instrument without affecting the mix. If 16 students are all using the same keyboard sound there is no way to identify one player's sound from another's. Even if different sounds were used, the challenge of hearing oneself would be daunting, especially for general-music students.

SPEAKING OF SOLUTIONS
Here are a few procedures to facilitate classroom-performance setups, which will help students hear themselves as well as each other.

If the keyboards have internal speakers, disconnect the audio outputs. The speakers on most keyboards will mute when you use the audio-output connections. Unplugging the audio connectors will enable students to use the internal speakers and to play together without using headphones. The audio-output cables can be secured to the table so that the connect/disconnect operation can be performed quickly.

Use a monitor speaker at each station. In this setup, the instruments are played through the classroom speakers as well as through individual powered monitor speakers (with level controls) at each station. Several companies manufacture small, powered studio monitors that work well for this application. Students can adjust the level of their keyboards by using the monitor's level control.

The keyboard headphone output can be connected to the monitor speaker, but this is not ideal, because a headphone output operates at a different level than a monitor input. You will probably need to use a headphone adapter to match the headphone output's signal to the monitor's input stage. Radio Shack's battery-powered 3-Way Headphone Volume Booster (catalog #33-1109, $21.99, www.radioshack.com) can do this job and has other useful functions.

An alternative setup is to unplug one of the keyboard's stereo outputs that are normally routed to the lab controller and connect the output to the monitor instead. This will work with GM sounds, except for drum kits, but it will affect programs or combinations that incorporate stereo placement of sounds or stereo effects such as ping-pong delays. Ideally, of course, you would use a pair of monitors at each station.

When using headphones as monitors, the instruments are played through the classroom speakers, and the students place headphones over one ear to hear themselves. Students will have to unplug their headphones from the lab interface and plug them into the headphone-output jack on the keyboard. You may have to purchase an ⅛-inch-to-¼-inch adapter in order to use the headphones. If there are two students at each station, you will also have to purchase a headphone splitter that allows one headphone output to feed two sets of headphones. The Radio Shack 3-Way Headphone Volume Booster also functions as a splitter.

EASY TO BE HEARD
Life would certainly be much simpler if all laboratory keyboards had internal speakers with independent volume controls that didn't affect the audio outputs. To my knowledge, the only low-priced instrument that currently has this feature set is the Yamaha PSR K1 (see Fig. 1).

These setup changes and reconfigurations may sound tedious, but all are easily accomplished, and the opportunity for students to perform as an ensemble is worth the effort.

Don Muro's CD Reflections can be found at www.donmureo.com. His new book, The Church Musician's Guide To Music Technology, can be found at www.giamusic.com.