Karaoke Forums

Here is what i have.
Yamaha EMX66M 6-Channel Powered Mixer http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-EMX66M-6Channel-Powered-Mixer?sku=630098

2 BR15 Yamaha Speakers http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-BR15-15-2Way-Speaker-Cabinet?sku=601213&src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0
I have them connected 1 speaker to each channel

I have a decent amd powered tower i built with a couple gigs of ram a sound blaster live 5.1 audio card

I just purchased Compuhost and fast Tracks V2 software and everything is burnt in

Couple Shure Sm57 Mics.That's the whole dealio

I don't do shows,though with more confidence and better equipment i would entertain the idea to start out doing some small parties,nothing in the works yet though.I'd think i would need better gear,more knowledge and a broader song base.I have been working on getting better quality music.I have about 1800 songs so far.Alot of Cb and Super Core,MM.I just bought my first Sound Choice Foundation Set #1 for a real good price.

I have been reading and contemplating for a month,so i thought i'd try to get some direct input.Like LondonLive said,the more i read,the more i read and more i need to read!

Been looking to go Powered speaker route

I have been back and forth between mackie ProFx12 and Yamaha MG166CX-USB.I'd like Usb and Yamaha quality has seemed pretty good so far,plus it has compression built in.So Yamaha so far is the winner...
Speakers i've really wracked my brain with,so many good posts about them here.Yet again i seemed to want to lean toward Yamaha with the Yamaha MSR400.(maybe i feel safer with a kind of matched system,i dunno)i Looked at Srm450V2,JBL Eon G2

I've wondered maybe i don't need any of it,maybe add some components,Like a Sub,no smirking but i seemed to lean toward Yamaha again(go figure)Yamaha SW118V Club Series V Subwoofer
Or maybe adding a Dbx Driverack.
Not sure what i could or couldn't expand to,maybe my current mixer wouldn't be a good candidate for additional components.

I have a budget of around $2k,the more below that the better.I bought my current set up a few years ago as a set.It was a step up from my jvc 202 player running through my girlfriends home stereo,i'm still hearing about those dang speakers i blew out!
If my stuff is junk,it's junk,I'm a big boy,i can take it,if what i'm considering is also not feasible,i can handle that too.Just want good honest answers,if anyone can make out a few questions from my ramblings.

Sounds like you are on the right track to me. Your choices seem good to me, but that is because I use the Yamaha mixers, Compuhost, and the Driveracks. If you get the EON 15, honestly you should be good for karaoke. A sub might be nice for a larger venue, but you can do real well without it.

If you go with the SRM450s, then a sub might be in order. I love the DriveRack as the way to operate the top/sub combo. All three of my systems sound great using them, and they work great on two-way systems too.

Good luck.

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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.

If you can swing & find a deal on a pair of powered QSC cabs, you won't be sorry. They do kick butt. The new JBL EON series is also much better than the old G2 series. Check those out as well.

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

Decisions, decisions. Sounds like you really care about your gear and sound, I'm glad to hear it. Seems like so many are trying to cut corners in the wrong places. The foundation of your system, IE, the mixer, the speakers, the amplification is what everything else you ever do rely on. I have two cents to spare so here they are.

You really need to check out this little beast if you want to upgrade your sound, IMO there just is no comparison between the Allen & Heath ZED12FX(with USB) vs the Mackie ProFX12 or the Yamaha MG166CX.
http://www.allen-heath.co.uk/zed/zed-12FX.asp
Review on the ZED class mixers
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document ... _id=102760
Cheapest place I've seen them is here.
http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=22652

They are all very comparable, I did notice that the Yamaha cheated a little bit as their 400 watt figure is not continuous. I believe the continuous on the MSR speaker is actually 300 watts(225 low 75 high). Where the Eon 515 is 450 (350 low 100 high) and the Mackie SRM450V2 is 400 (300 low 100 high). Of course as mentioned, the HPR series speakers from QCS are very nice and would probably be the king of this particular group. I would think any of them would do for what you have in mind.

Yes, yet another option and it might be a good one. Only my Sub of choice for your application would probably be the Yorkville LS720P. A very highly respected powered sub.
http://www.proaudiostar.com/servlet/the ... 20P/Detail

I wouldn't say it's junk, just a little limited on the possibilities for expansion. As mixer heads go you picked a nice reliable one with moderate power, in fact if you decide to get off your EMX66M, I have a use for a mixer head that is bridgeable. The BR15 Yamaha's are a little on the light duty side but certainly useable. Shure SM57's have been a staple mic forever, Your software and puter seem fine. I've certainly seen a lot worse out there. Only you know what your ultimate goal is. Take your time, I've always said that reading is free, mistakes can be expensive. When it gets right down to it, most of the things we buy aren't because we need them, it's because we want them, it's a guy thing. Good luck in your dilemma.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

I think the key is buying within your budget, The Mackie and Yamaha mixers are a fine choice. I don't think you can wrong with the Yamaha Speakers also but there are plenty of choices out there in that same price range.

Plenty of good information on this site ..Good Luck

The reason I even mentioned the Allen Heath option was the OP said he was considering the Yamaha MG166cx which retails at 479.99. If the Yamaha is in his budget then the Allen Heath would be also as I've seen them anywhere from 349.99 (B stock) 429.99(open box) up to 499.99 (new). If you can get an Allen Heath for the same price as the Yamaha I would definitely go with the Allen Heath. I can say that because I have an MG series Yamaha and I also Have an Allen Heath 14-4-2 and when it gets down to sound quality the Allen Heath wins hands down. All the way from it's sweep-able mid Eq's to the great pre amps to the 100mm Alps faders the A&H is a fantastic mixer.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

The street price on the MG166CX is 359.00 I think. Were you speaking of the USB version? Also, the Yamaha has compression as you know, which adds another $300.00 cost if you want four channels of compression for the A&H.

I know the A&H is a great mixer, but the MG166CX is going to be very suitable for karaoke. It also has a sweepable mid, albeit only one. The faders are not as good, to be sure. But they are going to be a big improvment over the knobs on a box-style powered mixer.

One of these days this gear slut will get an A&H mixer. I will have to rationalize it in my mind, because there is no way I can justify it in reality.

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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.

Yes, I was refering to the USB model because he suggested in the orignal post that he would like USB built in. As far as the compression go's, to me the single knob compression is just to limited to be of much use to me. I still use external compression .

Well of course it is, The Yamaha is a great board when compared to most of the other options out there. Remember, I still have and use one also. That being said, If I can get a ZED 12FX for about the same price as the MG166cx,(and it's enough channels to accomplish what I need) I'm going with the Allen & Heath everytime.

I'm sure you will one day, because you always want to improve your rig. It will never change. It is just the way some of us are, always taking it one more step. Remember many months ago when we discussed the Driverack, and you were a little nervous about getting one? I'm sure you don't regret that purchase and I'm pretty sure if you ever got your hands on a A&H you would see what I mean about them also.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

Hardly. I now use three DriveRack PAs (I own two of those).

Though I am really disappointed in the power-off pop they have. It is hard to train people to turn off things in the right sequence and to make sure that power cords can't be kicked out. If I get another one, I may go for the 260 to avoid the power-off problems.

WRT the single-knob compression, it makes a big difference for karaoke and is more than suitable in my opinion. I can really tell the difference between it and no compression, and it is much better than external for non-technical personnel. I was always having trouble with the external compressor getting out of tune when I was not there.

As I said, I will probably rationalize it eventually. I am eventually going to replace my PMH3000 in my bar-gig setup, and I might shuffle the Yamaha in there and move to an A&H for my personal rig.

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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.

Thanks for all the advice.Looks like a step up would be the Allen and Heath ZED12FX 12-Channel Mixer with USB and maybe a pair of QSC HPR122i Powered 2-Way Speakers.I'd probably go with the DBX 266XL for now with this setup.
This puts me a little over my budget but appears to be a nice base system with which i can expand on and grow into.