Karaoke Forums

Started out last year with a Singing Machine Pedestal Karoke machine. Everyone has to start somewhere! Was running that through my Theil Speaker/ADA Amplifier home audio system. I now know that wasn’t such a great idea.... I found I love karaoke and hosted 20 nights last year. Would like to significantly upgrade my system. I’m a gadget geek and have lots of computer equipment and a great home audio/video system.

Room I usually use is a game room, 25’ * 25’, 10 ft flat ceilings.
Alternate Living Room is 25’ * 30’, adjacent to another large room in an open floor plan, 22’ peak to 10' sloped ceilings.

Would also like to be able to “take it on the road” to friends homes. Probably only in larger rooms. Usually 6 to 15 people. Will never be a professional. Do not want to “undersize” system and want a computer based system. My proposed “system” after a few hours on google is:

MacBook Pro 15” 2009 Model (already have)
KJAMS Pro Macintsoh software
MOTU UltraLite-mk3 FireWire Audio Interface and Standalone Mixer
Shure PG288/PG58 Dual Vocal UHF Wireless Microphone System
Pair of JBL EON 515 Self-powered speakers
Samson TS 550 Speaker Stands
I can handle the video output myself.

Questions:
1) Any other mixer suggestions? Want it to be firewire based. Not sure what I need here.
2) Would smaller speakers (JBL EON 510) be better?
3) Microphone suggestions?
4) Any and all help would be appreciated. I really have no idea what I am doing.

Thanks.

That mixer will serve your needs fine if you are OK with the setting being somewhat static, i.e., pre-set. Changes in the mixing settings on that unit are done through a series of menus, so you really can't do anything "on the fly" with the settings. You'd want an actual mixing board if you want it to be more friendly to "on the fly" setting changes. Mackie makes a whole series of firewire mixing boards, like the Onyx 1220.

As far as speakers, those JBLs are great speakers, but they are going to be bulky and heavy. For home use, you could definitely get away from a good set of 12" that would be far more portable, then always add a small sub later if you want to fill out the sound. In a 12" powered format, I would recommend a set of EV SxA100+ speakers. As long as you are running these near their max SPL, they are going to give you good, punchy bass for home use and smaller parties. If size and weight of the JBLs are no issue, though, go for it!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL