Karaoke Forums

My daughter is a singer & practices at home with Karaoke CDs. She is using a very basic PA with small speakers now & I would like to purchase a better system for her to use at home that will sound better than the system she's using now.  Sometimes her voice over powers the mike & it fades in & out on our system. Should I buy a Karaoke mixer like VocoPro 3900K with new speakers or is it better to just get a higher quality PA system package than the one we own?  What does a karaoke mixer have that a PA system package doesn't for a professional vocolist? I would like to spend $500.00 or less if possible.  The room she sings in is about 20'X30' - not huge so being able to adjust volume is important.  Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Without a doubt, I would buy a better PA system.  I dont do a lot of karaoke, I have a band and do most all of my performances with them.  From a singers point of view, always have a better sound system with a quality mic, just my opinion.

Thanks so much for the advice!  I am a Mom who doesn't sing or understand all the technical details  about this equipment so I really appreciate the help...

I would very definitely upgrade the PA. I am having trouble understanding what you are currently using for a mixer and amp, though. It may be that if you match the speakers to the amp and adjust it properly, it will sound a whole lot better.

For $500, you can't get too much. But you could get something pretty reasonable for $650 -- the Behringer PMH880S, two Peavey PR-12 speakers, and $60 worth of speaker cables. Plug in your current player and go.

Microphones are important -- get a Shure SM-58 for $100, or one that sounds nearly that good -- the Behringer XM8500 -- for $20.

I agree with mcky - Adecent way to go that won't break your bank would be a powered mixer by Behringer which would give you all the power and mixning needs  inlcuding 99 effects settings.   ALso Agree that a GOOD mic is the key.

You "MAY BE" able to get away with 1 15" Peavy PR15 speaker just for practicing at home ?---

Good point -- you can bridge the amp and get a good match of power. Later you can add another speaker and have a pretty serious system that will sound good for a big party.

Musicians friend and some othe sites have some nice packages.  Speakers and stands and Amplifiers with microphones and cables.

If you can spend a bit more than $500, here are a few behringer systems that would work great for your needs and you also would be able to expand them in the future...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/compare? ... pid=631261

The system she is using now is called Telluride & it has no information on it anywhere!  I got it through a friend a few years ago as a package PA system & it's worked fine but it's limited to say the least & the sound is OK but certainly not great!  It came with 2 small speakers (crate - I think) but no labels are on anything except the name Telluride on the mixer/amplifier.  Thanks so much for the advice you all have given me.  I will purchase a PA system rather than the karaoke mixer.  The one's at musicians friend look good but just a little more than I wanted to spend.  I'll just have to wait a little longer to buy it but it might be wiser to have a system that can be expanded (if need be) in the future.

The systems suggested from Musicians friend can be broken down -
for home practice use you CAN use only 1 speaker ....

Perhap this?

  http://www.pulseonline.com/crate20.htm

PA is the way to go.  I suggest you find a good music store and talk with them and listen to different systems.  Also think about how it might be used.  Will it stay home or will it sometimes take wings and travel?  My choice in systems in 2006 considered how well it sounds and how well it would fit in my medium sized car.  My choice was for a Yamaha Stagepas 300. I paid $549 at a local music store it was selling for the same price or more on the internet. I shopped it and listened to different systems for 6 months while I saved up for it (don't like Credit cards). Sometimes I wish I had more wattage but by the time I load everything in the car (PA, player, TV, TVstand, speaker stands, folding table, cdgs, songbooks, microphones, power strip, cowboy hat, and wife) I know I made a good choice. Also it sounds great. Your choice may be different for whatever reasons. My point is take some time and make an educated chioce. By the way I agree with everyone who likes the Shure SM58 mics they are worth the price.

Jim n TN

Actually you can get a really nice small PA for $500, this is a great deal and even the mic is quite nice.  I have used this a bunch of times in a fairly noisy coffee shop and once in a 100'x50' open airplane hangar full of bar-b-que eating rednecks, I did a long set of acoustic guitar and me singing and then a few hours of fun jkaraoke with it and it worked like a champ.  The roller bag is a bit delicate but with a bit of care as to where you drag it it has been perfect.  Leave it at the bottom of the stairs and carry the components up separately or you can break the wheel housing.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=635170

This is actually made by Kustom and OEM'ed for Matrix and I own the Kustom Profile One, it's baby brother, and I have used it for almost two years now with no real problems either.  The Profile System Two is even better with subwoofer output and more effects available but seriously, for less than a big club this is a superb system with really clean sound and wonderfuly usable, if not infinately adjustable, effects...

BSR

Just want to thank everyone who has given me advice about PA systems & what to purchase.  It has been very helpful. I'd heard about the karaoke systems & didn't kow which was the best way to go.  The "crate" speakers I described aren't really crate I guess.  They don't look like the picture you attached but it is a small mixer/amp with 2 small speakers.  She does have a good mic though.  It's a Shure 48 (not sure of the number).  When she performs, the sound system is usually provided for her at the location so we don't need a system that is easy to transport (at least at this point).  She mainly needs someting that sounds smooth & clear vocally so she can just practice at home.  The room is only about 20 X 30 feet so we don't need to rattle the windows with sound.  It's important that the volume can be adjusted for a small space so the neighbors don't hate us!  The B-52 Matrix 2000 looks great & but may be more than we need as far as power goes.  The price is certainly right, though.  I'm going to go to Guitar Center & check it out along with some other systems just as suggested while I save up for the purchase!  Thanks to all again!