Karaoke Forums

Hi,
First time poster  here ,and dont have all the info yet on my computer ,but I will ask a few questions since Morgan is throwing a few of us off of the newbie site  LOL
As I mentioned in the newbie site I got elected to set up a karaokie system at our local private bar.Most of this stuff is way over my head ,but I am steadily reading the forums.Anyway ,I think I am off to a good start as I bought a new B52 ,Matrix 2000 (1200 watt) from a friend last week for 700.00 ,which he never used.Another friend donated a Yamaha 16 channel mixer to the cause (I dont have the model number with me tonight ,but it is about 12 years old.
From reading these forums ,I would like to go with Compuhost I think ,but the computer is a question mark at this point.I have a friend checking it out for me.It is a Gateway PC ,pentium 4 ,but it only has a 1 gig processor if I remember correctly.It does have a 15 digital monitor,and we added 1 gig of ram.We also had a soundblaster X-FI sound card installed 2 years ago for my sons music stuff.It has 8 various inputs/outputs on the sound card.
Will the processor speed be fast enough for compuhost?Do we need to change the video card for 2 outputs?Will that expensive sound card help me with the karaoke stuff?I dont care about the mobility of a laptop ,and this PC has XP installed ,but would it possibly be more cost effective to put the sound card into something newer?Also ,any input on the B52 pa system?
Thanks a bunch,I will know more about the computer soon I hope.
     

first off stick with xp as os, vista still has too many bugs to warrant an upgrade.
as to the rest there are plenty of others more expert in advising you...and say what is this about me booting you out???

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I thought you told us to get out into the real world now to meet people

well yes I did, but the comment police would have assumed I had been rude to you

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Not at all Morgan ,just tryin to get a little rise out of you  :yes:

sweetheart thats my line...(said the actress to the bishop)

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Was just checking out the good looking kids on (bragging rights) ,everyone should be very proud!

Pssst boatman, we need to stay on topic or the comment police and the tech guys wont take you seriously...so I will shut up now so as someone will answer your questions ok?

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

you would probably be better asking the folks at computhost's forum if the pc in question is adequate enough to run the software. There's enough bells and whistles in it for MY opjnion to say it'w questionable with that low of a processor.

Personally, I'd recommend the low route and go with winamp and it's plugins. I'd go with the LOWER 2.8x winamp version... just because with the lower processor, you want to keep it as simple as possible.

I don't use a fancy soundcard, but instead go with USB out to my USB device which turns the output into an RCA connection. ((Zzounds has a Behrenger device for under $30 that's similar in nature). BUT check it out first... hook it up to the mixer and see what it sounds like!. No since buying a bunch of stuff when you have it there now in place.

What I will input regarding going to computer is this --There are many hosting programs out there for people with many different uses.  Some are FREE and some are costly.   Some need more COMPUTER RESOURCES than others.
They all OFFER free downloads to TEST and TRY foryourself

Find the program that FITS your needs.  Once you decide on which program you want --it should list a minimum computer requirement and a RECOMMENDED one go with the recommended one.  :yes:  :yes:  :yes: . Once you get your SOFTWARE and HARDWARE issues settled - you are all set to rip/download your karaoke music .... That's another topic anc discussion.

Questions to ask yourself for software:

Is rotation management important
Do I need to play regular and or filler music also
Do I need auto play features
Will I DJ also and need to MIX and or Beat Match SONGS?
Do I need SCROLLING Meassages and Fancy graphics ?

If you answer no  to most you can probably get away with a FREE program as long as you also download the KEY CHANGER --which is a must in ANY program you look at.

Good Luck and ask anything you need to

Thanks for your advice.I should go online and find out what winamp and its plugins are ,I heard it mentioned numerous times within the past few weeks.
I have some kind of USB device that the guy threw in with the PA that enables sound to go into a computer,also new in the box.
I need to get exact names/models for some of this hardware that I have so you tech guys will know what I am working with.I will do that soon ,along with computer speed etc.

Thanks jamkaraoke  :) Good advice on the free trial downloads.I do like fancy graphics and some bells and whistles as long as its user friendly ,(has to be in my case).I would have no problem with free or inexpensive software as long as I could upgrade fairly easily down the road if I wanted to ,(not sure if that makes much sense though)

Thanks jamkaraoke  :) Good advice on the free trial downloads.I do like fancy graphics and some bells and whistles as long as its user friendly ,(has to be in my case).I would have no problem with free or inexpensive software as long as I could upgrade fairly easily down the road if I wanted to ,(not sure if that makes much sense though)

I would also suggest getting your system up and running with just a free or inexpensive player rather than an expensive hosting program. My son and I used Karafun (free) to set up and de-bug.

The Siglos player that I'm currently running my show on was $49, and you can upgrade that to a hoster later for an additional $49 (haven't done that yet).

You may need a new graphics card. But they're not that much. The ATI Radeon we ended up using was under $40.

Bells and Whistles and Fancy Graphics  "usually" equates to a costlier program than FREE winamp and the pluggins.

Bells and WHistles "usually" means more CPU speed and more memory etc etc etc.

just sayin!!!!

Thanks Bill ,and you are right ,getting my computer together is my next priority.

Hey Jamkaraoke,
My computer will probably be a couple of weeks in getting checked out to see what I have and what I need.However I just went out to the shop and made a list of everything I now have for this project.A friend brought over a rack with some stuff in it leftover from his band days ,but I dont know if I can utilize anything he brought me.
First of all ,the interface thing that came with my pa system is a EDIROL-USB Audio Capture ,UA-25 ,w cakewalk sonar LE ,USB audio &midi interface ,its still in the box.
2-The mixer is a Mackie-1604-VLZ Pro ,16 channel mike line mixer(I incorrectly said Yamaha before)
3-DOD-SR 231 Graphic equalizer
4-BBE-462 Sonic Maximizer
5-Behringer-multigate Pro model XR 4400
6-DOD SR 823-stereo/mono active crossover
7-Mackie amp-FR seriesM-2600
8-ETA-spike protector
9-B-52 Matrix 2000, 1200 watt PA system
10-several various mikes
Anything I can use ,I will pull out and put in a designated rack for this project.
Thanks everyone ,but I think this lays it all out as far as what I have right now to work with.Again,not sure if I can use any of this stuff.

You can use a whole bunch of it. In fact, I recommend:

  Mackie VLZ --> DOD Equalizer --> BBE-462 --> B52 Matix
            |
           V
   Behringer 4400 (I think this is a compressor)

I don't see that you need the extra amp or the crossover, since the B52 should provide both those functions. The amp could be used for a monitor speaker, but it is really way too much power for that. I would give that back (or sell it) and buy a small active monitor speaker if you need one. (I always like to have one.)

With a nice setup like that, don't cheap out on the software for your computer. Buy CompuHost and a little video distribution setup to do multiple screens, and you will have pretty much everything you need for a top-notch show.

Turns out that this is an expander/gate. I don't think you will need it, but an MDX2600 or some other type of compression would be nice to have.