Karaoke Forums

Hi,

I am new to the forum. I am trying to improve the quality of my karaoke shows. I currently use a Mackie 1402 mixer. I have read that a good addition to my setup would be an effects processor. I asked a KJ friend and he recommended the Yamaha SPX90. He said you could get one off of ebay for a little over $100. I looked on CraigsList and found a Yahama SPX900 that I think I can get for about $150. My 2 questions are:

Do you agree with this choice of processors?

and

Is there enough difference in these units to pay the extra dollars?

Thanks in advance.

Bill in Woodstock, Georgia, USA

Wow an SPX90? The last time I used one of those was at a studio where I was a tape-op, back in the good old days when people recorded onto tape! That model is about 20 years old, unless they brought out a new model recently?
I'm not saying that means it's no good, I still use an alesis quadraverb from 1990 for live & it does a perfectly good job, it might be a little hard to find tho.

I used to have a Yamaha Rev500 reverb unit & I didn't really like it, it sounded a bit too synthetic. Personally I'd prefer a quadraverb to an SPX90. Its reliable as hell & very easy to use. Better still, you can pick up a used Lexicon MPX 200 for around the same price.

SPX90 was a great unit in it's day, but it's sampling rates are pretty behind the times for today. It would still make a great processor for a a little less than $150 (too high IMO) - I have seen them go for $100. I also use an older Alesis Microverb that I can't seem to part with - but only for certain effects that I already have customized, also use a Lexicon MPX100 - both of these in my rig are more than enough for my effects needs. I would agree that if you can find a used Lexi MPX200 for around the same price, you will be better off.

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I just used an SPX90 last weekend and I would rather have had my MX400XL.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

They are both 16 bit processors. The main differences between them are the 90 samples @31.25 khz the 900 samples @44.1 khz. The 90 has a range of only 20 to 12K while the 900 goes 20 to 20K. The 90 has space for 90 patches (30 preset 60 user) while the 900 has space for 100 (50/50). Yamaha has a reputation for building quality products but as you can see by the specs these particular units are a bit dated by today standards.

Today's processors generally operate @ 20 to 24 bit with a sample rate between 44.1 and 48 kHz., there are a few exceptions. With entry level gear coming in at around 200 new it would be hard to justify buying an SPX90. The SPX900 although respectable even today would be a bit over priced @ $150.00 when compared to today's entry level processors.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye