Karaoke Forums

I am currently using this mixer:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... &U=strat15

Mainly because I started out DJing then moved onto Karaoke. But more and more I'm finding that it has certain "issues" that neglect it from being a decent karaoke mixer.

1) Mic Levels:
The mic inputs on this are stupidly sensitive. On a 1-10, 1.5 is soft, 1.7 is loud. I am using wireless mics and reckon the receiver is already pre-amping them.

2) Echo:
The on-board echo is next to useless.

3) Mic Off:
There is no kill switch for the mics.

4) Channels:
Only 2 mic channels and one of them is DJ.

Now I'm not on the biggest budget ever but am thinking I need a mixer that will better suit my needs:

1) 2+ mic inputs

2) Better mic control

3) 2+ phono inputs (music)

4) Semi-usable echo/reverb

Also...

I am outputting to powered speakers, so assume a powered mixer is not needed/wanted?

I also would like to output to my minidisk recorder sometimes

Can anyone suggest something budget but usable?

Thanks.

DJ mixers suck for karaoke. So do "karaoke mixers" in my opinion. (I just hooked a VocoPro KJ6000 up while I had all my mixers out on assignment, and the noise was hugely perceptible compared to my Yamaha or Behringer mixers.)

Depends what your budget is. Of course what you can get in the UK is a constraint, but I would choose the Yamaha MG82CX based on what you describe. It gives you decent preamps, one-knob compression on two mic channels, record output, effects. It is $150 USD.

The Behringer 1002FX is $110USD, and has everything above but compression. But I am a big fan of compression for karaoke.

Some people would recommend the Alesis, but I have owned all three of these and I actually prefer the Behringer. I find it to have less noise, as good effects, and a better feature set for less money. (Some people like the USB output, but I don't like it that well.)

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Compression is quite a necessiry for karaoke isn't it?

Ah, also, should have said - I would prefer an assignable crossfader too. So I can fade between the karaoke audio source, and one other.

Take a look at a a Soundcraft FX8 mixer. They are supposed to have really good mic preamps which is an important component of good sound. Add a Behringer EP 2500 and you will have a very capable and professional setup. The FX8 has built in high quality vocal effects too. this will be my next system when I'm ready.

I'm using the Yamaha EMX512 powered mixer and it would probably do nearly everything you want. It's about $569 here in the US. Mixer and amp come in one small and lightweight package that you can easily carry with one hand. It will power (2) mains and (2) monitors all at once. Best results are achieved with two small and efficient mains and two small and efficient subs. For example, (2) EV SX80 or ZX1 and (2) EV SB122 subs. This is sufficient for around 250 people depending on the room size. If you have big, power hungry mains you might want to go with a non powered mixer and a good powerful amp of at least 500w per channel at 8ohms.

I don't know why you want phono/RCA instead of 1/4". The cable from a computer or iPOD can be had as 1/8" to 1/4" too. Most mixers won't have more than one RCA input.


Yes, but it might be nice to have some equalization.


The Yamaha can do all that, and if you don't have the 1/4" cable they make easy-to-use adapters.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBI345IC

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Oh sorry, I was just assuming use of RCA/Phono connectors. I guess 1/4" is exactly as good.

Stogie: I don't need another amp do I? I said am using powered speakers

Sorry, what I meant was that I don't want to amplify the signal before sending to the powered speakers.

Like stated that is strictly a dj board, not intended for live vocals at all - except for the dj and maybe a guest mic (like for a wireless for announcements/toasts/co-host/etc). You want a mixer that is capable of more live performances.
Now one with a crossfader built in isn't very common, I do know of a VERY good mixer that incorporated both a 4 channel live board & a dj mixer as well, but it is pretty spendy.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=634017
If it wasn't for the prices tag I would say it is the ultimate karaoke/dj mixer you could find! Enough inputs & routing for your mics & 6 player sources (2 cd's for dj, 2 karaoke players, 2 computer/digital sources?).

There really isn't anything else that combines a good live board with a good dj board.

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You need NO extra amp if you are running powered speakers, so a powered mixer would not be of a real benefit - not that one was mentioned, just in case.

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

Correct!

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

Nope. But one of my setups uses a powered mixer with powered speakers. I use the Mono/Monitor setup on the powered mixer, and run tne monitor from it. Plus we are going to start using the Mono for a fill speaker for the back room.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Sorry, I wasn't paying close attention. Just get the Soundcraft FX8 to go with what you have and you will be in good shape. The Soundcraft mixer is a tad bit more expensive than some others, but I think it's worth the extra money. You most likely can find a previously owned one if you look around. Look into Soundcraft, they have a very good reputation. I would also recommend a Yamaha mixer. Yamaha makes very good stuff and for what you get it's reasonable. Look into the MG124CX, it's only $269 and has built in vocal effects like echo and reverb.

Nope, that's a DJ mixer feature. I know of none for live sound mixers. The best you can do is fade both at the same time.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Well again the Allen & Heath I linked to have both live mixer AND dj functions, but is very spendy.

Jamkaraoke just pointed me in the direction of Mackies new PROFX12 board. Nice little update to the DFX series which is being discontinued.
The new board has added the much needed mid eq on the channel strips.
Updated the 5 band eq to a 7 band eq.
A channel for a direct instrument (guitar/bass) without the need for an external direct box - not that many would need this in karaoke, although I do know some hosts that do play a guitar with some singers that request it.
But probably the best feature - especially for computer users, it also has USB built in & connect your laptop directly to your mixer via USB. NO EXTERNAL SOUND DEVICES. No Behringer USB external device, no external soundcards to convert the audio to connect to your mixer, no using the 1/8" headphone jacks with awkward patchcords or adapters. The mixer IS the audio interface.
http://www.mackie.com/products/profxseries/splash.html

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I do believe it is about time. It looks like a nice mixer. Especially the EQ -- how did they figure out how to do "Precision 7-band EQ"?

If it had compression I might consider it competitive with the Yamaha MG124CX. The USB is nice in some ways, I am sure. But why a 100Hz low-cut? Everyone else has 80 or 75 Hz, which should certainly perform rumble-filtering. Anyone anywhere near being a bass singer would not be well-served by a 100Hz low-cut.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

You seemed pretty happy with the sound at my show when you visited??? The mixer I was running the first time was the CFX12 with 100hz cutoff, there was no lack of bass from the singers mics, in fact I usually dialed down the bass on the mics to around 9 oclock because sometimes it was too much.
My 1642 you sang on last time has a 75hz cut, but I still dial the bass down, but now it's even further to around 8 oclock. There is no lack of bass from the vocals.

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I didn't do my real bass songs, either. There is also a difference between rolling off and a shelving filter.

A low bass hits notes down to E2, which is 82 HZ. I believe that is where the 80Hz figure comes from. (Some basso profundo goes to 64 Hz, but that is almost unheard of in popular music.) The only ones I have seen at E2 are Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Charley Pride, and now Josh Turner. But singers do occasionally go there.

When someone does "Your Man", "Folsom Prison Blues", "The One I Loved Back Then", or "Draggin' the Line", I usually boost the bass on that mic at key points which makes people happy.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Okay doke!

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