Karaoke Forums

#1) Sometimes it's not what is said it's How it is said.

#2) Although the quality of the Karaoke Singer is rising , the majority of singers are still out just to have FUN at their FAVORITE VENUE. Whether the KJ's system is OK or outstanding usually has no bearing on the fun to be had

#3) Business is not about doing things cheap ..BUT SMART. Sometimes smart is buying $100 Shures and sometimes it may not be depending on the KJ and THEIR BUSINESS. Maybe buying 2 PG58 is better ??

#4) If a KJ walks in with a FenderPAssport - vocopro mics and SGB discs and works a steady gig without complaints ... Is not that GOOD ?

I have had my pair for 6 years, and with a new top grill ($8.00), they would still look new and I could probably sell them for $40-50.

Dear Karen

Who are you calling STUPID ?

I don't know if this is off topic slightly, but if you plan on being a LONG TERM karaoke host, like 2+ years of 1-2 gigs a week, you can't do many cost analysis/comparisons where the Shure SM58 doesn't come out ahead in durability, reliability, and overall cost of ownership. It is simply the most practical mic out there.

To use Lonman as an example, I bet he's been in business for twenty years, and he posts regularly about the latest upgrade he is making to his sound system. If he still had the same gear that he started with twenty years ago, he probably wouldn't be very successful. Well, except SM58s, which never seem to break or become outdated!

I think that thinking should apply to everything: new songs, good sound equipment, keeping books in good shape, etc. etc.

To use Lonman as an example, I bet he's been in business for twenty years, and he posts regularly about the latest upgrade he is making to his sound system. If he still had the same gear that he started with twenty years ago, he probably wouldn't be very successful. Well, except SM58s, which never seem to break or become outdated!

I don't understand why anyone wants to cheap out on microphones to the extent that they are buying $30 mics instead of a $100 mic which is the industry-standard and the most widely-used live vocal microphone. I look at it this way: my songs cost many thousands of dollars, so why would I keep spending money on songs and worry about the cost difference between $30 mics and $100 mics?

It's the economy stupid -- right now the people with the most discretionary dollars to spend are the ones steering the karaoke ship, at least in our area. Those with more discretionary funds are a little fussier, again at least in our area. They have a choice as to the shows they will attend. They are not tolerant of krappyoke and a new show that pops up in a nice place will get visited once but if the host, the equipment, and their ability to run it, plus the song selection are lacking in some way, the show may last 3-4 weeks until the venue figures out that it isn't going to fly.

Hence, why go into that battle only partially armed? Spend a little more on mics because it is the 'voice' of your system. Literally. Consider spending money on better quality music; again, SGB will work, no doubt, and some is actually better than others, but the discretionary spender who has their choice will seek out the best shows...at least in our area, where there are DOZENS of shows on any given night within a 25-mile radius or less. If your collection is lacking, beef it up a little at a time by request.

The successful shows, at least in our area, have good equipment with an *effects option and good mics, a host with more than basic knowledge of sound mixing, a decent selection of songs to choose from, a venue that is respectable, and a schedule that is easy to remember.

* Re: Effects. I've had more than one really, really good singer mention to me after they sing on my system that they sound much better than at such-and-such a place. Believe it or not, it is the careful use of effects that is the difference, and the use of 58s. Such a simple concept.

True to some extent but sometimes not (and now I'm speaking about pro-audio gear in general, not just specific to Karaoke). For instance, the Yamaha SPX90 was introduced in 1983. It's still one of the most popular reverb units (for drums in particular) and you'll find it in many racks and even some riders yet today. We've still got plenty of them in service. The SDE-1000 is another unit that's older than the hills and still very popular, I had two of them in a rack I used this past weekend. The PM4000 is almost 20 years old and still an extremely popular and widely used FOH desk.

Shure 58's are the only mics I will put on my stands...well, with the exception of audix or heil. You get what you pay for.

I found this video comparison of the PG 58, SM 58 and Beta-58 online and thought it was very interesting and you can decide for yourselves how much difference there is in the sound, clarity, durability, handling noise, etc.... Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5VuADSPDk8