Karaoke Forums

I've notice on these forums that there seems to be a HUGE amount of KJ's that like to see just how much equipment they can add to their system. And while they all have perfectly rational reasons for every piece of equipment they haul in and out, it still seems like it's more than necessary. Your ears may be tuned to a different level of quality than I believe is actually necessary for this "karaoke" job of yours.

Keep in mind that I'm not attempting to diminish the quality of a karaoke show just because it is karaoke, but realistically, what is needed?

I think that we can all agree that the KJ's "job" includes that of a sound engineer, and that a KJ needs to monitor the sound all the way through the song, not just the start of it. And for two reasons;

#1. Ensure that the singer sounds as good as you can possibly make them. (I also understand that we are KJ's and not magicians.)

#2. Monitor the protection of our systems.

So, my question is;

Since -, how much equipment do you really need to host a show? What's the "minimum" equipment you think you need?


Do you need 40-band equalizers, multiple compressors, feedback destroyers, 2,000 watt amplifiers, four wireless mics, etc...

no EQ what-so-ever. Its a waste of time. There are too many different styles of music, and variety of singer to be able to continually adjust for what you have.

Instead, I use a BBE sonic maximimizer (882i). It rocks, and allows me to adjust for low contour, mids and highs is seconds.

You need a live sound mixer, preferably with a line cut feature, compression, and vocal effects (some people accomplish this with a seperate piece).

Two high qualitiy speakers. I just started using the JBL amplified EONs and they rock, and only weigh 32lbs!

Two or three quality mics... wired or wireless. I am using Shure SM58s.

A power conditioner to plug everything into. Surge protects your equipment, and filters out line noise (so you don't get that irritating buzz in your speakers).

A nice rack to put everything into, and all the cables.

Most importantly, you need a congenial host who knows how to run it!

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karaoke koyote said:

I use them too... and if you look at the back of them, the power rating is (sit down, drumroll please) a whopping 145 watts per speaker.

It may not be a lot of wattage, but it produces a great sound with lots of presence.

I basically have:

Mackie DFX-6 vocal mixer with onboard effects and a 5-band eq. attached to the JBL speakers and 2 AKG wireless mics.

I guess I'm coming in under everybody so far- Mackie 12-channel mixer with built-in effects - DFX 12? I'm not really good at remembering the names of the gear; a PC shuttle, two powered SM350 Mackie speakers and a powered sub. (In bigger venues we use the SM450s and sub). We use 2 wired SM58s but have 2 cordless as well, and a couple of Audix - only ever put out the corded 58s because they're the workhorse. Oh, also have a switching box to allow for karaoke DVDs (I have a collection of heavy metal DVDs from Finland). Pretty simple setup, great sound, always compliments on it from first-timers.

Actually, these are the 315s, and are 280 watts each.

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Then I stand corrected....

However, you must admit that for being LESS than 300 watts each, they still have a great sound and really good presence...

After experiencing the Mackie 1530/1801 as karaoke speakers in another room, I brought out the big guys. My Yorkie Elite EF508s.

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?c ... e=71&id=13

B&C loaded. They're 89 pounds each but they stay in the club. They go along with my three custom-built 18" subs.

My singers are ecstatic. The ones who have sung on both on my stuff and the Mackies say the sound is now better than on the Mackie system, and I agree.

I have the luxury of a wide stage so I can position them slightly behind the singers and "in the box" you get full the force. Wham! It's exciting when it's your turn. Even for me.

So it's not too much. It's just right for my room. The singers rule.

Your preference in brands:

MINIMUM: 2 Quality speakers, Amp, Mixer, CD+G Player, quality mics, plus all cables. In my opinion, also speaker stands.

If you wish to use a PC, add that, but keep the player.

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Bill H said:
That may be fine for a system that doesn't move nightly. And I'll agree that it IS a lot of fun singing through a large sound system, but is it "necessary?"

If you had to move your system 4 times a week, would it be the same components?

(perhaps I should've prefaced this topic to include only mobile systems and not stationary systems}

Yes, JBL makes the best. Don't even think about it, just get 'em!!

And yes, weight was a MAJOR consideration since I KJ 4 times a week and want to add a 5th night. The Yamaha's that I was using weigh 61 lbs a piece, the JBLs 32. I went to lift them on the stands last night... it was like a feather....

The amp to drive them in the rack weighed close to 50 lbs, now my rack is half that!

For the mobile DJ/KJ, these are unbelievable!!

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Necessary, probably not.
If I were to set up a portable system that would be somewhat equivalent to my stationary system I would probably use.

Yamaha MG12CX mixer - not as good as my Mackie board, but has the built in compression eliminating the need for my outboard vocal compressors & effects processors (although still not nearly as good as the outboards, it would suffice)
dbx DriveRack PA - this would eliminate my outboard eq's, main output limiter/compressor & sonic maximizer.
QSC powered mains (15" cabs) x4 & subs (18") x2 - this would eliminate all the external amps. I say x4 on the mains for larger venues & outdoor events. 2 JBL EON (180 watts) would NOT cut it in the room I run now, I am running aprox 2500+ watts in there now with 3 speakers (2 on main section, & 1 on side for fill so we don't have to turn the mains up that much louder) & 2 subs & sometimes THAT isn't enough. Using the 15" cabs I could also run smaller shows without the subs & still have a decent bass response.
I will always use a monitor on the stage of some sort so would need another powered speaker (12" max cab) with a 31 band eq of it's own for feedback purposes.

This would be the MINIMUM i'd want for a mobile system.

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Is an 18 wheeler full of equipment too much?

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Timberlea said:

Only if you can't close the doors...

I think I run one of the smallest setups -
Yamaha EMX512 powered mixer
2- Behringer 15" Speakers

hmmmmm... Besides some mics and stands ..THATS IT !!!!!

Note: Venue is on the small side of medium sized

NOW if I had a Larger venue with a stage area or did more OUTSIDE gigs I would have to UPGRADE !!!! But for now --I would have to say works or me and sounds great !

If you have a van and plan things out it's not any more trouble moving a big rig than a smaller one. All my speakers are on casters. I just wheel them in. I've put a lot of thought into my racks. Either one or two. I've broken them up so none are over 4 spaces or weigh over 30 pounds. The connecting cords are already hooked up into the middle one so I just plug two from the middle into the top and one below into the sub amp. The system's plumbed in 30 seconds.

I agree with Lonman. Eons would not cut it in my room. But I do an Elks job with just a pair of Bose 802s and one sub. Eons would work there.

It's what's appropriate for what room.

I agree, when I was mobile, my mobile set up was actually more than what I use in my current room simploy because I used it for bands as well. It still only consisted of 1 full rack, 1 amp rack, 2 speakers, 2 subs & 2 monitors. Never had a problem placing it in any show I worked - even small ones. The rack acted like a table for my players & mixer, speakers would go wherever they would fit & still sound good, monitors on stage or staging area. WOuld be better now that I run computer but even so, besides the amp rack weighing a ton, the rest really wasn't a big deal to move.
I would probably still go with my minimum system if I go back into mobile shows.

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One thing I'll mention that hasn't been discussed much is a good external (ASIO or otherwise sound card). I use the one on my HC4500 and it sounds so much better than the one on my laptop. It doesn't cost much either. Mine didn't because it came with a USB midi controller.

EQ's are primarily for room tuning & feedback elimination - yes they can be used for tonal shaping for songs as well, but in a live situation, feedback & room adjustment is the main thing. Once set up for the room, it doesn't need to be adjusted anymore, that is what the channel strip eq's on the mixer itself are for.

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Lonman said:

And I'm sure it would sound just fabulous.... BUT....

how long would it take you to set it up and would it be worth it?

We're not talking a live band here with musical instruments... we're talking "karaoke"... pre-recorded music with a microphone...

You have a much more descriminating ear than any of your singers and although I'm sure they appreciate that it "sounds great," my point is wouldn't you think it would be just a little too much?

This is afterall, karaoke in a bar... not your local outdoor concert pavillion at $55 per ticket. If your tracks on your computer are compressed to 192k, 128k, or even 96k, it's gonna sound a lot "worse" than a cd.

So, do you need all the "stuff" if you're running compressed tracks anyway?

IMHO, I think your minimum system is more than overkill.

That really isn't alot of equipment, set up I would probably be able to get it unloaded & set in 15-20 minutes. I can set my main system up right now in about 30 minutes. I said 4 speakers & 2 subs for larger venues & outdoor events, most shows I would most likely bring in 2 mains & 1 sub. If the club was bigger/odd shaped, then I might add another main for the other side of the room to even out the volume.


Absolutely not. I get crowds because of the sound, not going to short change that.


It is a karaoke bar, sure, but the sound does not have to reflect that. We run at levels probably most kj's would cringe at. Our crowds come in because of that. All my music is ripped at 192 but in all honesty, we have done side by side tests blind to the audience & more than 75% could not tell a difference between the rip & the actual disc. Some even thought the computer sound was better. Could be because of the sound card.


I do, yes. No different than a dj running compressed cd's. Our club volume levels rival some dj clubs & in some cases live band.


For your needs. My point is I don't want just another karaoke system that everyone that comes in goes - huh, sounds good. I want people to have an experience. I also run full stage lighting with a decent sized stage, and dance floor lights. Wouldn't necessarily bring the light show if the club wasn't big enough, but the sound system, you bet your boots!

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