Karaoke Forums

Hey Guys,

I've used a cheap all in one karaoke machine for a few years now and plan to work my way up to a better system. I'm in the midst of transferring disks to my laptop and next step will be a mixer. Been cruising ebay and trying to narrow down my options. Two features seem the most attractive to me:

1. digital effects. My current setup has an echo echo feature that just plain sucks. It would be nice to have decent effects to warm up my vocals. How useful are the normal fx settings for vocals? Or are they more set for instruments?

2. USB connectivity. It makes sense to me to run the sound out of the USB rather than the computer's mic jack. Is there a definate advantage? Also, is it possible to simultaneously send the audio back to the computer to record the mix?

I guess what I'm trying to decide is if it comes down to one or the other, which feature should I be willing to forego.

Probably not the best option, but I am intrigued with Acesonics little mixer:
http://www.acesonic.com/mixersitem.php?id=1
Anybody have any experience with that?

Bear in mind that this will be a home system... and definately on the cheap. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

Download Reaper

www.reaper.fm

Try that for digital effects. I also use it for a mixer. See the thread below.
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18436

OK, first of all, anything that calls an effect "Echo" is not something you'll likely be happy with based on your statements here. Echo is not typically an effect included on any professional equipment and is usually so marked as a way of "dumbing down" the device to a consumer level.

When looking at vocal effects you're looking for at minimum a few selections of Reverb. On most actual effects processors there are multiple reverb choices that mimic everything from a small room to a large hall to a full cathedral (and they're named as such). They also usually have adjustable depth and delay so you can customize them further.

A nice to have would be a delay. Delay is sometimes referred to as echo because it mimics the longer (>100ms) repeats, kinda like the yelling from the top of the mountain and hearing HELLO.....Hello......hello repeated back. Delays should have speed and feedback/# of repeats adjustments on them. When used properly, delay can really be a cool tool.

The "Echo" setting on most devices like the one you posted are usually some combination of reverb and delay and as you've seen don't sound good at all and have no adjustment other than volume.

Honestly, if you can swing an additional $30-40, you could do much better than that
acesonic you're looking at. I don't typically recommend Behringer, but then I'm usually talking about pro rigs with higher budgets. In your case, the Behringer Xenyx 1002FX would be a great fit. It has 2 mic channels, 2 stereo channels (to use for connecting to your computer), a built in 24-bit effects processor with 100 options and it's no bigger than that acesonic you're looking at but would perform a heck of a lot better. Check it out, if you can swing the money for it, do it.

Toger's suggestion of using a computer based mixer should work for you too if you're comfortable with that. However, depending on what microphones you have today, they may not work plugged into the computer directly and you may have to buy a separate pre-amp for each microphone or some type of audio interface (there are options). Considering the $60 license cost for Reaper plus the interface situation, it may not be the most cost effective option for you.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Hey, Letitrip. Thanks for your reply. Honestly, I've always been confused with the difference between echo & reverb. Thanks for clearing that up.

Now there's a coincidence! I placed a bid on ebay this morning for a behringer 1202fx and ended up winning it. Your suggestion makes me feel like I'm going in the right direction.

I know there's controversy there, but I'll be connecting the unit up to my home stereo. I've ran the old karaoke box into the stereo before and the speakers have survived so far. I'd love to add a small PA system to the mix... maybe down the road. I think my next step will be a external hard drive.

Toqer, thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into reaper. Looks like a fun toy, too!

If you're going to connect it to your home stereo, use the 2TR (2 Track) output on the console (These will be one of the two pairs of RCA jacks on the console). These outputs have a -10db nominal operating level which is what most consumer products like a Stereo are designed for. Pro audio gear operates at a +4db level so that's what would be coming out of the regular main outs on the board. This will ensure proper signal levels going to your stereo.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Thanks again Letitrip, for the useful info. That's definatley good to know.

Hey Ronnie, how's it going?

If I were you, I would keep looking every day on ebay and craigslist for a decent priced pair of used PAs. 12" should suffice but if you get a good price on 15", go for that. Anything with continuous wattage of 200 per PA or more will be more than enough and then when you have a small party or two, it will be the bomb. Just do a review on them to make sure they aren't a piece of crap, wattage isn't everything.

I have a birthday gig at the boat club in Rock Island on the 9th of Jan. If you aren't busy, stop on by. It's a private party but they like me and you could just hang with me if you have nothing going on.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

To put it in extremely simplified laymans terms:

Echo is the repeating sound you would get yelling into a canyon.

Reverb is the sound you would get yelling in a cave.

Hey Ripman,

A PA is definately on my wish list, but probably not in the too near future.
Sounds cool... I just might show up at the Boat Club, if you're sure I won't be crashing the party. What time does it start?