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Computer and Mic....
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Author:  theytonn [ Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Computer and Mic....
OK. I now have a computer setup with karaoke software and all it needs now is a mic.
I started to research things and learned that pro mics need preamps to be hooked up to a pc. So I started looking into preamps. Just that was a mess. There is just so many conflicting opinions in my low end price range. I had no clue what to do. So I came here to do more research. I then came across a post (don't know which one anymore, I closed the browser forgetting that post was in a separate tab) in which a few posters where saying that plugging the mic into a pc was not the way to go, I needed a mixer....
Now this mess of a jungle just turned into a desert. I am at a complete loss.

Bottom line, I am trying to build a jukebox that will also serve as a karaoke machine. I will be building a custom box to hold everything (monitor, pc, the works). I am presently using the onboard sound plugged to my home stereo system via soundcard output (no high-end PCI sound card here). I do not own a mic yet, since I am unsure of what I need. So I can't test things out myself, besides my budget won't allow such things. My budget is as low as I can keep it, but I have a small concern for sound quality, so all this is relative (E=MC$).


So, what should I do? What do I need?

If there is any info missing for a proper response, ask away, I'll deliver as best I can.

Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope there is an oasis somewhere in this desert!

Ttn
Author:  TopherM [ Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
You only need a pre-amp if you intend on using a condensor mic, which is most commonly used for recording. Condensor mics tend to pick up EVERYTHING in the room, so they are a bit of overkill for karaoke.

All you need is a small mixer like this:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... TX802-LIST

And a dynamic mic, like this:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-SHU-PG58XLR-LIST

Your computer acts as your player, and plugs into the RCA inputs on the mixer via either a 1/4" to RCA adapter or an external sound card/interface. The mic goes into one channel of the mixer.

You really shouldn't use your home theater speakers for live sound, as you will probably end up frying them, but if that's what you want to do, then you would then just hook the RCA outs from the mixer to one of the inputs on your home theater receiver and it would receive the overall mix.
Author:  theytonn [ Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
TopherM @ Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:35 pm wrote:
You really shouldn't use your home theater speakers for live sound, as you will probably end up frying them, but if that's what you want to do,


Hmmm, frying my speakers isn't really an option for me....
That means I would need to get a set of speakers and an amp just for the singing part of it all.... that "jacks" up the price of this venture considerably, not to mention the size of the box I will have to make (I wanted the whole thing to be portable).

I guess I will have to think this through :(

Thanks for the reply TopherM.

Ttn
Author:  TopherM [ Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
Here's the thing about home theater speakers vs. PA speakers. Home Theater speakers are HIGH FIDELITY, which is a generic term meaning that they are designed to reproduce a certain range of PROGRAM MATERIAL that has been normalized into set parameters of frequencies. TV signals, DVDs, CDs, etc. are all produced within these same set parameters in order to sound their best on HiFi speaker systems, which these days are synonomous with home theater equipment.

If you look at the frequencies of live music, especially vocals, they spike WAYYYY above the high frequency limit that HiFi speakers are designed for, especially when singers scream or a mic is dropped, creating that "POP" noise.

So, quite simply, if you and yours are singing karaoke, and the frequency of the input surpasses the upper frequency limit of your HiFi speaker drivers, then the driver will be stressed, will heat up, and may melt.

PA speakers are designed to accomodate live music frequencies, including these high-energy scream and pop spikes.

So, in reality, if you are ALWAYS rather tame with your karaoke, and keep it at lower volumes, you probably have nothing to worry about. BUT, if you like your karaoke loud, and people get rowdy and crazy at your karaoke parties, then you will probably end up damaging your home theater speakers.

If you want to go the PA route, then you can get an all-in-one system that has everything you need: powered mixer, mics, and speakers, like this, that will hook up to your computer and sound great for home use:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-PAPACK
Author:  Usuespec [ Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
I don't know if this is Kosher to name a company, but Ace Karaoke has a really small "mixer" that will hook up to a TV or computer and has three regular mic ports. I use it for my little home machine to control echo, bass and treble. It's around $60 bucks. It uses S Video or RCA plugs. It's pretty cool. Before I got the bigger mixer/amp, I used it to "piggy back" to my small amp and it worked pretty good. Good luck to you . PS., also used it in my home surround off my TV.
Author:  theytonn [ Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
Thanks for the info. I am still thinking things over.... Me being in Canada doesn't help much either, kinda brings all the prices up a tad :(
Again thanks for the info.
Author:  jdmeister [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
This is the small system I selected.. Works great..

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-STAG ... 1145442.gc

List price is a bit higher than the above, but I bought it on sale for $399

I get the Shure mics nearby at the wholesale warehouse for $28

Mic stand are $25


Edit to add link
Author:  Michaelangelo1 [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
jdmeister @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:15 am wrote:
I get the Shure mics nearby at the wholesale warehouse for $28




Are those the "Sure" SM58s imported from China?
Author:  jdmeister [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
Michaelangelo1 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:38 am wrote:
jdmeister @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:15 am wrote:
I get the Shure mics nearby at the wholesale warehouse for $28




Are those the "Sure" SM58s imported from China?

No, the real ones.. :mrgreen:
Author:  Bazza [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
jdmeister @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:19 pm wrote:
Michaelangelo1 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:38 am wrote:
jdmeister @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:15 am wrote:
I get the Shure mics nearby at the wholesale warehouse for $28




Are those the "Sure" SM58s imported from China?

No, the real ones.. :mrgreen:


There is no way a new, $28 SM58 is authentic.
Author:  srnitynow [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
You can get Shure pg 48's for about 28.00 each, but I just got a "deal" on 2 new sm58's for 89.00 each. On a budget, I think the pg48's will be ok.

Srnitynow
Author:  Bazza [ Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Computer and Mic....
srnitynow @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 2:03 pm wrote:
You can get Shure pg 48's for about 28.00 each, but I just got a "deal" on 2 new sm58's for 89.00 each. On a budget, I think the pg48's will be ok.

Srnitynow


Ah..Well, that's different. The PG48 & the SM58 are different animals!

I thought he was claiming a new, authentic SM58 for twenty eight bucks!
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