Karaoke Forums

First, a big thank you to all who regularly post on these forums. I've been a lurker for a few weeks and couldn't begin to list everything I've learned.

I'm looking to add karaoke to my home theatre setup for myself and a few friends, and I have a PC setup that will work.

I do need help picking out a mixer. My budget is about $300, but I'd be willing to go higher if that won't get me anything of decent quality.

First question: I have a home theatre receiver (Yamaha RX-V665) that puts out 90 watts per channel. (I'll be adding some PA speakers for the karaoke.) This will just be a few people in my basement. Will that be sufficient, or do I need to be looking at a powered mixer?

Second question: I've seen a lot of the VocoPro mixers at different websites. Any opinions on that manufacturer? I've looked at the VP-DA-5800RX, and that seems like it has the features to help make the vocals sound better and has multiple mic inputs. I'd like to know what others think is a good mixer in the same or a higher price range.

Thanks in advance for your help!

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG124CX
For the mixer, you won't be sorry - however running through the home stereo will be more disappointing. You would yield better sound getting a dedicated karaoke PA - don't have to be expensive, but would sound alot better.
The powered mixer and decent PA speakers would be another option as well. But stay with something like the Yamaha, Mackie, Peavey brands for this - hell even Behringer would be better IMO than any VP unit.

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

I use a pair of MTX TP112 speakers connected to a 120w/channel Pioneer receiver, and it works pretty well. You can't really use normal PA speakers because 90w isn't enough power. But it drives that type of DJ speaker pretty well -- they are rated at about 150w program.

Agree with Lonnie about VocoPro -- go with Yamaha instead. If the MG124CX is overkill, you can pick up the Yamaha MG82CX mixer for $160. It has decent effects, compression, and pretty good mic preamps. The VocoPro stuff is overpriced and underfunctioned. I bought one and regretted it. It sits on a shelf to this day.

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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.

By "dedicated karaoke PA" I assume you just mean an source(PC)-amp-mixer-speaker setup that is totally independent of the home theatre? Yamaha has a pretty inexpensive powered mixer: http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMEMX212SC.



What is the difference between what you would consider a normal PA speaker and a DJ speaker? The amount of power required to get sound of of them? I have to admit I thought that PA speakers were just anything with the horn-style tweeter.

Thank you guys so much for your help.

That would be a great option, better than trying to use your receiver. That and a pair of Yamaha BR12 or BR15 would make a great home system, one that would even work for gigging out to small parties and such. There are working karaoke hosts who have worse.


Essentially, though there is no formal distinction. I think of a DJ speaker as being the kind that a really amateur DJ uses to avoid blowing their Home Theater speakers when they turn up the bass.

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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.

I use the Yamaha PAS300 system.. Works great..

In case any of you were curious, I ended up going with two Tapco 6925's, a QSC GX3 amp, the Yamaha MG82CX mixer, and two Shure PG58 mics. The sound is pretty good for a first time home setup.

Thanks for the help!

Definitely a nice home setup! And you can still upgrade later with some processors to enhance the sound.

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

Second that. Another upgrade you might think about over time is a bit better main singer mic.

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