Karaoke Forums

We are currently using a HTPC at home and use XBMC for karaoke. We have a small mixer that we are now looking to replace. A few questions:

1. What do most on this board consider to be the best mixer that runs 200 or less? Minimum requirements would be 2 microphone inputs and digital effects. Do any of them have USB as an input/output option?

2. Is anyone aware of a digital mixer that has optical in and out? We currently have to change the audio hardware in the XBMC settings anytime we want to switch from movies to karaoke since the current mixer uses RCA cables as oppose to optical. Would be nice to have a mixer with DTS/5.1 pass through so everything could be simply controlled via our remote.

3. When running sound through the current mixer and via an Alesis Multimix-8 USB we recently tested there is a minor but noticeable buzz when the sounds is cranked up. I added a ground loop isolation cord, which helped quite a bit, but the buzz is still there. Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong within the AV cab?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Cheers.

the Mackie Pro efx8 fits your needs. i think i paid 200 even for mine at Guitar center. it was taged at around 250, but i cought a sale and buy a lot from them. Im quite happy with the unit. it does what its supposed to and does it well.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Agree with the PROFX 8.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MAC-PROFX8-LIST

A little more than $200, but otherwise a great board for that price. You are not going to find a mixer with digital outputs in any cheap price range.

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Have seen some other posts recommending the Yamaha as it has compression. Looks like it runs about 159. Is the Mackie better in some other ways in comparison to the Yamaha? For home purposes, what would be better, compression or USB?

Yamaha do the same mixers with USB I think they're MW8CX and the MW12CX

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Gadget's Karaoke : Boldly singing what no one has dared sing before.

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

Looks like I would need to go with the MW8CX to get FX. Would you recommend that mixer vs. the Mackie?

I would go for the Yamaha for the compression capabilities.

http://www.gigasonic.com/Yamaha-MW8CX.html

Or if you prefer sliders then you have to go to the MW12cx

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMW12CX

Depends on your budget really.

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Gadget's Karaoke : Boldly singing what no one has dared sing before.

I personally like the Yamaha mixers -- I think compression makes a big difference. Others are Mackie fanboys. Either one will work well.

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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.