Karaoke Forums

Hello I have the following setup for doing home karaoke and would like to have effects to the singers vocals..
Any suggestions are appreciated!

Setup-

Laptop connected to USB YAMAHA MW10C mixer( no effects in the mixer)
Mixer connected to KRK powered speakers
I use shure wired microphone

The karaoke tracks are played on the laptop

HOw do I add effects such as reverb/echo etc to ONLY the VOCALS?
What instrument do I need?

Thanks
-Void.

You need an effects processor to do what you want. Lonman can give you a btter idea of what you need.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

A simple effects processor like
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHFEX800
connected between you mixers Aux output & Return L & R will do the trick. Then you send your vocal signal via the Aux send knob on the mic channels only and turn up the Return knob - settings will vary, once you get to that point we can help with fine tuning - then you will have effects on your vocal mics.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Find yourself an effects processor (like Lon linked to or similar). 1/4" out from the AUX SEND jack on your mixer to the MONO input on the effects processor. Then take the STEREO L and R outputs from the processor and run them to the L and R input jacks on either channel 3/4 or 5/6 on your mixer (This is different from what Lonman suggested, however either method would work). Use the AUX control on your Mic channel (either 1 or 2) to adjust the level sent to the effects processor. Use the GAIN control on the stereo channel to set the appropriate input level from the effects (same process as you use with the Mic channel) and then use the LEVEL control on that stereo channel to control the amount of reverb or other effect that is added to your overall mix.

The advantage of this method over what Lonman suggested is you now have better control over the gain structure for your effects loop. You also have the ability to EQ the effects signal (for reverb I'd recommend cutting a little on both the HIGH and LOW controls). Just be sure that on the stereo channel where you bring the effects back into the board that you keep the AUX control turned all the way down.

As I said, either method will work however, so do whichever you're more comfortable with. However, step one is getting a multi-effects processor. If you have some money, I'd highly recommend a TC Electronics M-One (can be found used for around $200). It's pretty much an industry standard. Otherwise the Yamaha SPX series (another "industry standard" unit) or a number of Alesis models are also very nice. As Lon said, once you've got it, let us know what you bought and we can help you tweak it.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Thanks so much you gurus...
This gives me a clear idea of what is needed.

I will get the FE processor and see how it works.

The Behringer reverbs are terrible. Do yourself a favor and try to find a retailer, such as Guitar Center, that carries these units in the store. Ask to try a few different units. There is a huge difference in effect quality and flexibility between a dirt-cheap Behringer and a Lexicon / TC / Yamaha effect unit that costs a few hundred dollars.

The Lexicon MX400 is what I always suggest, as it is affordable and sounds fantastic for its price range. This has more I/O than you need but it is also more user-friendly than cheaper models which do not have an LCD screen.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

But they are better than nothing to get him learning and cheap. He can upgrade later, this is for home use. Remember he is using nothing now. Sure there are better effects, but this will get his feet wet and who knows may be just enough for his needs cheaply.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!