Karaoke Forums

Hi,

My boss asked me to help him research (read: do the research) on karaoke equipment. His wife and her friends love Karaoke - some are even former professional singers from China - and he would like to buy a better system so (a) he can watch TV while they sing and (b) to satisfy their complaints that his audio system is inadequate.

We don't know much - he said he wants it to do audio/video and work with 5.1 sound. We did some googling and came up with the Acesonic website - these items:

Mixing Amp DKR-510 $649.00
Speakers SP-510 $299.00
Player DGX-400 $539.00
Mics UHF-2832 $199.00

But honestly, we don't know much about this - I don't know if Acesonic is a reliable brand or if these components or features are right for him. The total cost is a little high, too.

Any help will be appreciated and I apologize for a classic n00b post.

I don't really think you are going to get much advice on Aesonic equipment around here. For that matter, anything that has the word "Karaoke" in the title.

This is more of a professional audio type crowd. Prefers higher-end equipment.

If you found similar items by pro audio brands like JBL, Mackie, Crown, QSC, Peavey, and the like, you would probably get much more feedback and suggestions.

We started down that road, actually - and I think he'd prefer to use "real" equipment too. I just don't know how to construct those items for use w/ karaoke.

Would you be able to suggest some configurations using the appropriate professional grade equipment that would be used for Karaoke?

THANK YOU!!! Appreciate the feedback!

Start off, what is their budget - what you had listed ran about $1700, a MUCH better pro-audio style system can be built for that much & run circles around the 'karaoke' gear. For home only with maybe some parties? No clubbing? Do they already have music?

I would start with a basic mixer like a Yamaha MG124CX
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG124CX

Maybe a couple powered speakers like the Behringer B212A
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB212A

Wireless mics - although good quality wireless don't come cheap you'd really be better getting a couple of corded mics. But for wireless these are actually pretty good.
https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/ ... ct=UX16-MC
for wired a couple SHure SM58's.

Player - use your laptop or computer & a good software, plenty to choose from that work well piced from FREE to a couple hundred bucks. Not many actual disc players out there i'd recommend these days.

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

Budget is probably in the $1000 range, but it depends on the components he needs. His son has some DJ equipment, and he may be able to reuse the speakers from that.

This is for home use - they already have a player (not sure which, I'll try to find out) but the complaint from his wife's friends (they're the former singers from China) is that his "audio system stinks". So I think the amp/mixer is in play, along with potentially speakers and mics. I know he has mics but not sure their quality.

The main user of this system will be his wife (mid 50s in age) and her former pro singer friends...

Do you think he needs a sub? He mentioned it, but I'm not sure why.

Then the mixer & powered speakers I outlined above would be all he would need. The mixer has decent effects & vocal compressor built in, the speakers have the amps built into them. Plug their existing mics into the mixer, plugs the player into the mixer & the mixer plugs into the powered speakers - walla, kickin karaoke for all ages & singer levels, amatuer & pro alike!

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

I hesitate to recommend a sub for home karaoke use. If he has a big house with a TV room in the basement where he is unlikely to disturb neighbors, or the neighbors' houses are far enough away they won't notice, then a sub would be nice but is not necessary for 90% of karaoke backing tracks IMO.

I would try Lonman's suggestion and use those powered 12" speakers on stands, fed from a mixer with an FX processor for reverb/delay/etc. You might consider new mics, as most "home karaoke systems" come with craptastic mics that Radio Shack would look down on. Shure SM58s are popular pro mics; I am having great luck so far with the VocoPro 5805 wireless set I recently bought, four rechargeable cordless mics for under $400. These are what I'd term medium-quality, value-priced wireless mics.

Also, as Lonman said, your boss will probably be happier using a PC than a karaoke player. Not only because you do not have to change discs, but also there are many web sites that sell karaoke tracks for around $1 or $2 each with instant downloading, so you can just pay a buck to get a song for your guest right away instead of buy a $20 CDG and wait two weeks for it to come in the mail. If the nearby TV does not have a DVI or VGA input, you can probably use a DVI to HDMI adapter; or you can buy a VGA to coax/RCA composite video adapter at Radio Shack for around $50. I use this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815117102 which I would not use for watching sports or something, but for karaoke it's just fine.

Finally, since the audio quality is apparently a real concern for this home system, you might suggest he add an equalizer to his system if he still doesn't care for the sound once it's initially setup. This will allow you to tune the signal to the room and speakers. I like the Behringer DEQ1024 for your application because of the novice-friendly feedback destroyer function, stereo linked controls, and output limiter; but don't bother buying one until you decide if it's needed.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

If it were me, I would skip the subs entirely. I use them for straight DJ work, but I don't even use them in clubs for karaoke. I find that they can do more damage than good to the mix in regard to the vocals.

Also, the people that you mentioned are of an age that appreciate bass a whole lot less than those in their 30s and younger.

I also think, for simplicity's sake, a player is a better choice. I always hate to disagree with Lon, but these days a player merely has to send a signal, and the rest is handled by the other equipment. Also, there are some very good single tray players out there hidden under "no-name" labels. For example Sound Choice associates with a mfr. to produce a Performers' Choice brand player. A PCX model. I've had one of these, and it's a solidly made workhorse for around $170.

If you go with a player, you will need one with digital keychange if you go with Lon's choice of the Yamaha, which does not include it.

I recommend a player over PC for home use for simplicity. Does your boss really want to get involved with taking the time to buy and learn software, downloading track by track, and / ripping discs for home parties? That's not even including the cost of a dedicated PC.

Also, you mention that they are audiophiles. MP3s still don't measure up to CDs, and in a small room, with dedicated audiophiles, the difference will probably be noticed- and NOT appreciated.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Those are good points, but the instant gratification that comes from getting a song you just thought of, without having to purchase a disc, is pretty appealing. Also, most people know how to use iTunes' similar functions, buy a track or rip a disc, to put songs on their iPod.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

OK, because of all the great information here I went back to him and I got this information:

"I was thinking maybe a home theater with a 50+ inch TV, a blue ray, and a theater system with 5.1 or 6.1. Then I add my existing Karaoke player (not mixer to it). I have a 10 years old Pioneer LP Karaoke and a Latest model Taiwan Karaoke player (with 500 GB hard drive and over 20000 songs). Budget maybe $2000-3000 max."

So he has players that he's happy with. He has a 2-3k budget that has to include a TV (assume 1400, and 300 for BR player) leaving 300-1300 for:

- Amplifier
- Mixer for the Mics

I do not know yet if he has speakers he likes - his son was a DJ but now graduated college and told him he could have his speakers but he has not yet looked to see what they are. Let's assume the 300-1300 is for the above items.

Do I have the right items identified? If so, what would the recommendations be, knowing the new information?

Thank you to all for helping -- even though this isn't really my job, you know, when the boss asks...........