Karaoke Forums

I am a little confused as to how to hook all this up for doing karaoke live and recording. Help would be much appreciated.

Here is what i think I should do

1. Plug Shure Sm 58 mic into mixer using Xlr cable
2. Connect ipod (which has the backing tracks) to mixer's stero input using Ipod to rca cable
3. Connect mixer'smonitor out (left and right) to JBL sub using TRS 1/4 cables
4. Connect JBL subwoofer left out to one JBL monitor input using TRS 1/4 cable
5. Connect JBL subwoofer right out to other JBL monitor input using TRS 1/4 cable
6. Connect Mixer's stereo out to Lex alpha's line in using TRS 1/4 cable
7. Connect Lex alpha to PC using USB

Also I have a naive question. Since the lex alpha has built in reverb and seperate mic and line inputs (to which I can connect the ipod), can I completely do away with the mixer. Is the lex reverb plug in real time for live performance or is it for post production use only.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You have it hooked up all wrong and you should buy a crossover.

I have no idea what kind of speakers you own. I will need to look them up.

Yes your proposed connections list looks good to me. As to your other question, yes you could eliminate the mixer all together by connecting the Microphone to the Mic Input on the Lexi, the Ipod to the 2 Line Inputs (would require additional adapters to convert to 1/4"), and then connect the outputs of the Lexi to the sub-woofer (and the 2-ways to the sub as discussed above). The only potential issue I could see would be any latency that might be introduced by going through the Alpha and recording software. Hopefully that shouldn't be an issue, (I think most recording packages like this have gotten beyond that issue) but you'll only know if you try.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

No he doesn't!!! Please don't give people advice if you don't even understand the equipment they're using. He's got LSR series studio monitors. They're all active monitors. The subwoofer has the cross-over built in, there's absolutely no reason for him to buy one. Sheesh.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate the quick and useful tips you give to the users of this forum, its really wonderful to have your guidance!

I have two further questions

1. If I do away with the mixer, while connecting ipod to lex alpha I would need Ipod to 1/4 cable, to plug into one of the 1/4 inputs of the alpha, right? or do I need to use a cable to connect the ipod to two 1/4 inputs on alpha for stereo inputs? Also where do i find such a cable

2 Is the reverb on alpha, a hardware reverb or is it in the software? I guess if its the latter then will the vocals have reverb in reall time live performance without latency, i guess you said that this is not an issue. Just wanted to confirm.

Thanks much.

1. You'd want to use both of the line in connections so that you get the stereo signal. If you already have the iPod to RCA connection, then all you need are two RCA to 1/4" adapters which you can find just about anywhere. I'm not sure if anyone makes an iPod to 1/4" cable.

2. Honestly I'm not sure. I've never used the Alpha myself, my guess based on other recording software is that it would be a software plug-in. I don't see any controls on the Alpha itself for reverb so that seems logical. Going through the software, as you seem to realize, is where I would worry about latency. I'm not sure how much of an issue it is. I know with Pro-Tools (DigiDesign), they handle most of the routing for monitors and such in the I/O's and Control Surface so that latency is not an issue.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

The Lexi is really intended for a recording interface (but makes a killer sound card as well) so the reverb the comes with it is post production, not for live. You would still want to use the mixer if you wanted effects live.

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

Thanks. That setteles it. I would need a mixer to get live reverb and effects. So now I am trying to decide betweem Yamaha mg82cx and Sound craft efx8. Notwithstanding th price diff, I would go for Soundcraft if I hear from you that the reverb is substantially better than the yamaha. Look forward to your comments.

SM

Soundcraft is a much better board overall than the Yamaha - better effects, better channel eq's, you do lose the onboard compressor, not a big deal as you could add an external later. Although for your intent, either would do an able job.

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

Thanks for the advice. Bought the Yamaha mg82cx. So now I have the yamaha mixer, JBL LSR 8 inch monitors and the 10inch sub and Shure SM58 mic.

I now want to finalize the recording solution. I am considering the lexicon alpha but want your views on portable digital recorders like Zoom H2, Olympus etc. Which do you think would have the better recording quality, ease of recording.

Thanks once again for your help, its been great to be on this forum.

SM

The Alpha is very good for what you propose. Since from your setup it sounds like this is a home studio and/or parties setup you can do one of two options. Parties, use rec outs back to the 1/4" connections on channels 1 & 2 of the Alpha. Make sure the alpha monitor/playback knob is turned all the way to playback. Then with Cubebase LE or Audacity (easier) you can record. If for studio style projects you could run mic cable directly back to alpha. Record vocal while audio is in headphones, tinker with some of the VST plugins, then lay it down over karoke track.

One warning though some older XP machine USB 2.0 cards won't work in the "dual" USB mode which is what's required to playback and record at same time through Alpha. My older XP laptop wouldn't do it no matter what drivers I updated.

Have you tried using this Asio driver

http://www.asio4all.com/

This might help on older machine

Micky, thanks for the tip. Sorry for the delayed response, I've been out for a bit.
I believe I did but this was almost a yr ago and I have since replaced that machine. All my other XP and Vista machines have no troubles