Karaoke Forums

First time posting, but I have learned so much reading recommendations from this forum....Your opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Is the Yamaha MG82CX Stereo Mixer and Mackie SRM 450 speaakers a good match?  I've already purchased the Mackie speakers and am now looking for a decent yet affordable mixer.  Here are the reasons why I'm thinking of purchasing theYamaha MG82CX..........  Sound comes from a laptop with rca outs. Want a mixer that will accept rca connection and allow for effects being added to both mic and the music feed from laptop.  It appears that the Yamaha MG82CX is one of very few that has rca imputs for the music AND allows for effects to music if desired before passing on to mix with vocals.  I believe this mixer also has a build in compressor for vocals.  I know that I will need to add an adaptor for the connection to the Mackie speakers (XLR in), since the Yamaha only has 1/4 TRS out.

Will work fine.  
As far as RCA connections, you don't have to be locked into that, you could always get an RCA-1/4" cable.  But other than that, it will be fine with the speakers.
The output from the mixer to the input of the speaker will require a cable like (not necessarily the brand but the exact connections)
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MONMSLCMX

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Actually I doubt that. It probably comes from a 1/8" mini plug, and you just know about the 1/8" to RCA cable. Buy a 1/8" stereo to two 1/4" audio plugs. That allows you to put it into a regular channel -- many RCA inputs are a crippled "CD In" type that have no EQ and no trim. (Though my Behringer PMH3000) has real RCA ins, I have discovered others don't, and now I use that cable.)


I recommend a 1/4" to XLR male short, so that you can attach long XLR-XLR cables for the main run.

All in all it seems a great mixer to me. My next purchase is probably an MG124CX -- I wouldn't want to invest in a mixer with that few inputs.

I was thinking the same just took an assumption maybe she had an external sound device with RCA outs.  The RCA in on this mixer is on an actual channel strip - it gives the option of either RCA or 1/4".



The 1/4" end HAS to be a stereo (TRS) end, this means it's balanced and the length wouldn't be so much an issue anymore for a typical 25-50' run.

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Thanks for the suggestions re: connections. Now that I realize I can come in with anrca to 1/4 stereo or a 1/8 to xlr cable my options are greater for choosing a mixer to purchase. What about the BEHRINGER XENYX 1204FX.  I could get a great deal on this mixer ( $140, including shipping) although it has more imputs (why are so many imputs needed for Karaoke?) there is no build in compressor like the Yamaha MG82CX ($160, including shipping).  Since I don't have a compressor I would think that would make the Yamaha very appealing.  Any other advantages to the BEHRINGER XENYX 1204FX.  Or, perhaps another mixer entirely that you guys might recommend.

Actually the Yamaha isn't a bad mixer, i'd take it over any Behringer anyday of the week.
As far as inputs go, you only need as many as you are going to use.  The Yamaha is an 8 channel board.  2 to 4 channels for mics & a stereo source ie your computer.
If this is for home use primarily, you will probably never need anymore than that.

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Lonman........
I will be using the system for both home ( large sq. footage ) and occasional gigs.
I can't imagine why I would need more than 8 imputs to the mixer (enlighten me).  By the way......you state I need stereo out 1/4 to xlr cables, why?, I'm going from left on mixer to left on speaker 1 and right on mixer to right on speaker 2 for stereo sound.  Would not regular one black ring trs 1/4 to xlr be the correct cable?

Still that mixer will be more than adequate.  Bigger mixer is not necessary for bigger clubs.



Again, depends on your needs.  You will most likely want to run 3 mics, that leaves you 2 stereo channels for the computer & maybe a secondary player of some kind.  In a situation that I am in I require 16 channels
3 wired handheld
1 wireless handheld
1 wireless headset
4 stereo sources (karaoke computer, dj computer, 2 standard karaoke players)
3 for effects returns.
16 channels total.  I just upgraded from a 12 channel mixer to a 16 channel boad at the begining of the year.



You stated that mixer has 1/4" TRS outputs - TRS=Tip/Ring/Sleeve for balanced connections (also known as stereo 1/4" phone plug).  A TRS output is a balanced output, which is the alternative to a balanced XLR output.  So yes you will need 2 of the cables like I showed you above in the link, 1 for the left output to the input on the speaker & 1 for the right output to the input on the other speaker.  Being a balanced line, you can run longer cable runs so even getting up to 50' runs are ok.
The plug with ONE black ring is known as a TS=Tip/Sleeve for UNbalanced connections (also known as mono 1/4" phone plug).  If you used this plug you will possibly subject your system to noise/hum through the lines and possibly not get a very high sound output to boot and typically do not want to run lengths longer than 15-20' max on an unbalanced line.

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I was actually thinking that a 25-50' foot balanced 1/4" to XLR male is a pretty specialized and (more) difficult to get cable.  A 3 foot patch is easy to find, and a 50' or 25' XLR cable is useful for more than that one specialized purpose.

Thanks so much for your help.....I am pleased that you two are the guys who responded.....I've always respected your knowledge and your helpful attitude.  Couldn't get better advise!

UPDATE and Help........
Well, I decided to get the Mackie SRM450's and the Yamaha MG124cx mixer. Great price and I was real excited about my decision.  Then, upon receiving the items my problems begun!  The mixer is great but both Mackie SRM450 died one shortly after the other.  The problem was identical with both, they simply stopped working......flick the gower switch on and no power, no lights, no anything!
Mackie warranty service has been a semi-nightmare!  I finally after a few weeks received a replacement for the first non functional speaker.  I am now told by Mackie (Loud Technologies) that they cannot send me a replacement for the second non functioning speaker because they have move to the new model (V2) and no original SRM450 are available.  THE Tech adviser suggested that I check/test/replace the fuse....I did so and the speaker still will not fire up....I checked and double checked for other possibilities like the power outlet, cord, timer setting on the speaker all to no avail.  I have made several attempts to call back the Tech Adviser to inform him of the unsuccessful efforts to retify the problem since last Friday.  I keep leaving voicemail messages but no one returns my calls.  I sense that customer service at Mackie operates on a meager budget and although the techs try to be helpful, good luck trying to get thru to one, they must be very overworked and in very short supply.   It has now been over a mounth since I received my speakers(no complaint about the internet vendor where purchased) and I have not yet been able to use them as a pair.  It seems that Mackie speakers are a great product, but if you run into a problem, warranty assistance is like climbing Mount Everest.  Any suggerstions regarding my dilemna(s) would be most appreciated.

I don't know who you bought them from, but I would ask them to get involved and talk to Mackie for you. Also, if you know anyone who is real good with electronics or audio, ask them to take a look.

In fact, if you know a karaoke show where there is a good sound guy, try showing up early with your speaker and see if they might help. I know I would if I were near....

this is one reason I prefer to spend a couple extra bucks an buy at my (semi) local GC. my first mackie powered mixer had plastic tabs broken inside and rattling around. called my sales guy an he just ordered me a new one. said use it till the new one got in (1 show) then exchange.  the second mixer has worked great with the exception of one 1//4 input having worn out after about 60 shows. warranty just expired so ill fix it myself if i ever need it.
  good luck, I agree that Mackie makes great products, but have never used anything but there mixers.   Ive never dealt with there tech support.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

This is a great point. I used to buy gear exclusively on the web. I purchased my TCHelicon Voice One on the web, then saw it for $100 cheaper at a local sound store. I then started checking prices, and found on subsequent purchases, the store would match or even do better than the best price I could find on the internet. This is a professional sound company store, and the people are very knowlegable on the products, and more than willing to let me test out and compare different options.

I'm really not a Guitar Center advocate, mainly because they sell like Best Buy does electronics, and most times their prices are higher than you can get elsewhere.

Perhaps you guys have a point.  However, I will add that most of what i buy is thru the WEB and I have had mostly very positive experiences...and in fact the vendor from whom I purchased these SRM450 speakers has been very helpful throughout this ordeal.  Again, I believe it is Mackie (Loud Technology) that is the problem.  Their putting on the market a new model of these speakers (V2) and not planning for adequately accomadating those customers with warranty repair/replacement with the original SRM450 is very disappointing.  Anyway, I got the approval to bring the speaker to a local authorized repair shop for service (Mackie will not repair/replace directly) ........interestingly the tech at the shop said he'll have no difficulty diagnosing the problem but his greater concern is getting the Mackie parts!  Hope all goes smoothly.  I must say, in the future I will think twice about buying another Mackie (Loud Technology) product.