Karaoke Forums

How many mics do you normally put out for a gig? I have been putting out 2, which is fine until I get the large groups up to sing their favorite songs. Then everybody wants one.

Also, I set up the singing area like a stage, just like I set up for my bands. Mics on stands, dual monitors on the floor in front of the mic stands, 45 deg off axis (I use hypercardiods). But everyone seems to want to take the mic off the stand and move all over the place. Makes me wonder why I bother to hook the monitors up. It really does help the timid folks though when they can hear themsleves, at least the ones that can actually sing a little bit.

Maybe I should change my setup and just put the monitors to the side and fire them across the singing area. I normally run a 5 wedge, 2,400 watt monitor system for my bands, and that's usually run right up against gain before feedback (really loud if the band is not playing). If I put the monitors to the side of the mics in this situation, I would get a most painful shriek in the monitors. But for karaoke, there isn't any backline or drums blaring at 112db up on stage and I can keep the volume down. Whadyall do?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Tom

Tom,

I have two cordless, and one wired mic I use for announcements... I could put out another wireless, but why bother?

The whole point I feel about karaoke is for soloists and duets. If there's a group, then they need to form a semi-circle around ONE mic... or two.

I set up two wired and one wireless on stage and use another wireless myself wich i'll give to a group in that situation.

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Gotta' Sing , Gotta' Sing !!!

I feel that 3 Mics is more than enough. I only use wired Mics. I have a total of 3 Mics that I use at my shows... 2 are always set up by the TV Monitor (for the Singe to grab), and one is by me (to announce everyone). When I have a whole group of people approach to sing, I surrender my Mic for their use, and then reclaim it at the end of their song. The groups don't seem to have any problem gathering around between the 2 or 3 Mics.

Sounds like 3 is the magic number.

What do you guys set up for monitors?

Tom

We use four wired and one wireless.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I do three also. It seems when you get those big 'group sings' no one really wants to sing alone or be heard anyway...they just shout out the song. As long as they hold a mic in their hands, or are leaning towards one, they think are 'performing' !!

Two PG-58s and one SM-58 wireless.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

We usually only put up one wired mic on a stand, but have another for more than one singer. It keeps the stage uncluttered. We also try (depends onthe Venue) to put the singers on the floor. The reason for this is a drunk falling off stage wouldn't be a pretty sight. Neither would one falling on the floor, but ladies in High heels are most susceptable to this. Especially in a state of Inibriation. We use a wireless mic, and sometimes sing from out in the croud, looking for a subject that wouldn't normally sing on stage, and try to get them to help me with the song. Soon they are up and singing as well. We also supply a tambourine, maraccas, and an inflatable guitar for the singers. Hey....... if it gets them singing......!!!!!!

We use one Powered monitor.



Michael & Sharon

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IN-TYME KARAOKE Charlotte, NC
Just Sing Or Shut Up

I set up in my shows: 6 Mics in my Mixer.
2 Cordless, 2 Wired for the singers & They are First rate microphones not garbage.. Wireless mics are AT-4160 Series. The Wired Mics are Audix OM-5's. And for myself a Wireless Headset which is a Crown Headset on a AT-4000 series Wireless Transmitter & Reciever Custom Wired. and MY Personal Vocal Microphone is an Audix OM-5, OM-7 or an A-10 Depending on which preamp I run, and if it's a Private/Corperate Party.

With MY show it's completely possible to get a full vocal sound like in the song "Love Shack" and other oversung songs.

My Audio Monitors are all EAW LA 400's Run Biamped. There is only 2 in this system and are used as Sidefills. Because of thier volume capability. They Scream, I could easily use them up front on tripods and do a small club with them.

All My Yahama gear has been sold except the 2 I have in the Rehersal Room sitting in the corner..


Overkill at it's finest...

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I have 4 wireless (one broke-leaving 3) and 2 wired. Am I going to put them all out at the same time - no. I use 2 wireless, with a third ready to go on a moments notice. The corded are for backup. I don't care how big a group is, they can get by sharing 3 mics.

Ron
I'm bringing the choir to your show...

Ya don't need the mics.. Just turn it up! I need more Track.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I run 3 wired SM58's on stage, one wireless (doesn't get much use) and an SM57 for myself. 3 or 4 monitors on stage (1 in front of each mic and one off to the side) Had a band playing the other night using my system and couldn't figure out why the over all sound wasn't right. 1/2 way through the set I found they had cut off the mains when setting the monitors and forgot to turn them back on.

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"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about."
Benjamin Franklin

We have two wired mics on stage for the singers. I agree that groups get by with those two. I have one wired Shure for my use. We don't use wireless. The investement is too great. I never leave the stage unless I'm headed to the bathroom, so I have no need for a wireless. If a drunk is going to drop a mic, I'd rather replaced a corded than a cordless.

I knew of one host who had two wired and two wireless. The wireless mics were reserved for him, his wife, and a few select friends. Singers he didn't know had to uise the wired mics. I found that to be offsetting to those singers. I heard complaints of favoritism.

So everybody gets a wired mic at our show, and two for the singers and one for me seems to do the trick.

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Paid2Party
"I love karaoke. Where else can you get paid to come out and party with your friends?"

Thanks for all the inputs. I used 2 wired Shure Beta58's at the last show and that worked fine. It was a DJ/kraoke gig and all the folks were my age (a young middle-age) so it worked out fine. If it were all my friends, I would have put out the cheap Samson mics 'cause they don't know how to behave. I kept the wireless back with me.

Tom