Karaoke Forums

My hubby recently sold my Behringer Europower powered mixer that I was using. I actually rather liked it and it really didn't sound too bad. It was pretty close to an older version of the vPMP1280S (I think - at least it looks pretty close to it). I am extremely unhappy with the EUROPOWER PMP518M he gave to me as a replacement. It simply does not have enough power for what I need it to do and with only being able to mix lows and highs, it's just insufficient for what I require. I haven't had any complaints yet, but MY ears can hear the difference and it frustrates me. I also need a compressor with I've been bugging hubby about for quite some time now. He recently acquired the Yamaha line because the other store that used to carry it went out of business.
I am looking at having him bring in the Yamaha EMX512SC for my exclusive use.
Has any used it before? What are your opinions on it? It would save me from having to lug around a weighty power amp like I'm doing now in order to make up the shortfall with the Behringer. Portability is essential for me because of my bad knee and broken feet. Even though I have my daughter to help me, she's not exactly a weightlifter, if you know what I mean.
Thanks in advance.

It's very light and a decent sounding amp that works pretty well in small clubs, especially if you make sure to run 4 ohm loads. The one knob compression works ok - but remember that it adds makeup gain as you increase compression setting, which can lead to feedback if you try to run it too high.

Couple of notes:

The 500 watts is Peak power at 4 ohms load with 0.5% THD (that's dirty!). Manual sez "Optimal" is 125 watts and doesn't give a THD figure at that output. If you need to fill anything but a small space, this amp isn't gonna do it. I use it for chain eatery gigs like Applebee's where I know I'm not going to have room for a monitor, and I'll need to keep the volume low all night.

I put a rubber mat under it. It's so light that it'll slide around easily on glossy finished tables or counters.

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Dave's not here.

The EMX512SC is so much better than the PHM518M (the M standing for mono) that it isn't funny. It is very similar to the 1280S you had, but sounds better and has quite a bit more power. It pushes 325 real watts per channel, enough to drive most standard PA speakers.

That in combination with a pair of lightweight speakers (Peavey PR-15s sound pretty fair) is a great combination for ease of setup and decent sound. If I were a mobile karaoke host playing in small bars, I would choose that combo. Lightweight, a snap to set up, and sounds pretty darn good. Certainly a sight better than 95% of the karaoke setups I see these days.

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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.

Mickey, where did you find that figure? Yamaha's specs from the manual disagree with you.

Yamaha states that the Maximum output before clip for that model is 500 watts with a 4 ohm load, and 350 watts with an 8 ohm load. This is with a Total harmonic Distortion level of 0.5% (0.1% THD is audible, and that's 5 times the audible amount). Furthermore, it states the Nominal output level is 125 watts with a 4 ohm load.

Here's a link to the manual for you:
http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/ ... _om_d0.pdf

(and yes, I'm a bit obsessive about knowing the specs)

It's not a bad little unit for small rooms, but I opt for my Carvin RX1200 in most cases.

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Dave's not here.

Hmm. I had seen it quoted as 350 RMS before. (I had not picked up on the 0.5%.) I wonder if the specs have actually changed. I was pretty sure they used RMS like everyone else. The "maximum" and "typical" is not something I have seen before, and in fact haven't seen it from anyone else who tend to use "peak" and "RMS"

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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'm currently using that set up - Yamaha EMX512 AND 2 Peavey Pr15's.

The unit itself is very very light and packed full of features. Compression on vocal channels , effects on both amps. What I like about it is the MAIN/MON capability.
I can run 2 15" speaker off of 1 side in mono and run a monitor off the other side having complete control over volume/eq/effects etc.

I would rate it an A+ for medium sized venues.

Thanks so much for your valuable input. It's much appreciated and if it sounds so much better than what I was running, I'm excited!
I will let hubby know what you all have said. I'm pretty sure that this is what we will go with.

I got these in my back room for karaoke and dj

The sound for house and urban music sounds great. I cannot get it sound great for karaoke though

Anyone got some hints for the effects setup, compressor, equalizer and any other settings for karaoke using this amp?
Sorry I am not a big audiophile, got sold this setup (EMX512SC, Yamaha C115V , beta58 & sm58) by a local music shop as they say its a decent setup for what I was after.

Your problem most likely in the way you EQ your mic channels. Start by turning the low to 9-10 o'clock, the mid to 1- 3 o'clock, and the high to 12-1 o'clock. Don't make the mistake of boosting the lows (more than 12 o'clock) on those mics, it will muddy the sound. I have some singers that I turn the lows as far to the left as I can get (7 o'clock) in order to get clarity in their voice. If it is difficult to understand the spoken word then you need to back off on the low EQ and boost the mids.

I have one. I initially got it as a secondary system to use for smaller gigs like living rooms and small bars, but soon realized that little box puts out some serious power. I now use it extensively as the PA for my band. The fact that you can put it into a main/monitor mode as well as stereo is a big plus. Not to mention it has built-in compression on the mic channels and decent EFX. Easy to carry/setup and sounds great. Win/Win.

Found it used on eBay in great condition for a decent price.

I have one too. It's what I started out with. I've used it inside, outside, even got caught in the rain... with no problems. It's a true workhorse with good sound and features. Of course, anything Yamaha is usually awesome.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

They are probably the best all around powered mixers on the market and will get the job done; That being said the yamaha emx512sc is still underpowered to properly push the yamaha c-115 speakers which require a true 500 watts into 8 ohms which is program power. The mixer only provides 350 true watts into 8 ohms. In my opinion it is best to use this mixer with yamaha c-112 speakers which are 12 inch speakers and require the true 350 watts into 8 ohms which the mixer does really provide; The 12 inch speakers provide nice crisp vocals for karaoke and really sound great if you use 15 inch powered subwoofers underneath them such as the Yorkville nx-720.