Karaoke Forums

Hi everyone, I wish I found this forum earlier. I did a lot of research but I couldn't find any reviews/comparisons for Karaoke equipments. I ended up buying a Vocopro kj6000. Here's my set up....

Source: DVD iso played by VLC player using a Dell ZinoHD (computer). Sound is output to an usb wireless soundcard then to the mixer (RCA).

Mixer: output to a Sony STR-DA4300ES (RCAs). Speakers are 2 Polk Monitor 70 (biamp) with a 15" Sub.

I spent about 2 hours playing around with the sound and I'm pretty disappointed. When I first turned everything on, it sounds pretty good. I tested out the Mic alone (SM58) and it sounded pretty good. The problem is when I start mixing I cannot get the sound/voice level that would sound good. Either the vocal is too loud or there's not enough of it.

I first suspected the source (computer/sound card/VLC player) but then everything sounded great when I output via HDMI.

I bought the kj6000 because of its ability to eliminate the vocal. But the eliminated vocal is still there and it sounds really crappy - rendering that feature useless.

Is the kj6000 really that bad? Or is it because I don't know how to mix sound? I'm not the one singing - my wife is. When I think the sound is decent, she says that it sounds crappy.

I'm thinking about returning the kj6000 and get a Yamaha MG82CX ( which seems to be the recommendation for cheap gear). Any suggestions? Thanks.

"Vocal eliminators" are all pretty much useless anyway. They work by flipping one channel out of phase so anything that is exactly the same in both channels is eliminated. This will only work on a song where the vocal is dead center. Now, even if you stumble upon a song where it works, you will still hear the effects (reverb, etc) of the original vocal as they almost never are centered. Also as you have learned, the music will often sound very off/tinny to the ear due to being out of phase.



In my opinion? Yes it's really that bad.



If you can do this, it would go a long way to making things right!

You have all consumer level gear. It is not exactly meant to reproduce live music frequencies, especially vocals. While the VocoPro mixer isn't that great of a piece of equipment, it certainly isn't what is ruining your overall sound, and purchasing a Yamaha mixer isn't going to help you much.

If you want your system to sound like a live music system, then you are going to need to upgrade to an actual PA system, which is designed to reproduce live music.

If you can, take back the VocoPro mixer and just get your money back, then invest in something along these lines:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SAMXP308I

Or, keep the mixer (or trade it for the Yamaha), and get some powered PA speakers, like these:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB208D

Those would plug directly into your mixer.

Either of these options would be a HUGE improvement over what you have. Again, although no one on this site would recommend you buy that mixer, it is not the weak link in your system. The weak link is the hi-fi receiver amp and hi-fi speakers that you are using to reproduce the harsh peaks of live vocals.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

OH NO VOCOPRO!!!!

Upon further review, the VocoPro mixer is also a DJ Mixer, not a live music mixer!!! What that means is that the mic pre-amps are probably HORRIBLE, and you have no control over the mic gains or even frequencies!!

Definitely take it back and get the Yamaha. It will give you much better mic pre-amps and tons of more control options on the vocal channel.

Everything I said about the hi-fi system still stands, but the Yamaha mixer WILL certainly improve your vocal sound right out of the box.

For home use, you can even use something like this Behingher mixer. It has everything you need, is 1/2 the price of the VocoPro, and will sound much better than the VocoPro:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... 002FX-LIST

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Smart move!

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

The mixer is not your problem ( although not a choice among profesional DJ's )
It seems it would be your AMP and your SPEAKERS. - They seem to be stereo components and not to produce live music ( vocals etc)

If you can return the mixer for a refund...DO SO
If you can't you'lll need to get a power amp and a set of 8- 12" speakers to match the amp.

For home use I would suggest a POWERED MIXER/AMP combo and speakers.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=501607

Wow! thank you so much for all the prompt advices. I was looking at PA gears but I couldn't find much advices on them. The main reason I didn't get PA gears is because I thought that they're made for bigger venues rather than a basement. I upgraded the front speakers (6.5" woofers) and they can play at ears bleeding level. But I guess they're not the correct tools for the job. The Receiver is also the higher end unit.

I wish I found this forum earlier because it would save me so much time. The kj6000 is going back for the Yamaha.

Is it okay to buy used PA speakers? I'm afraid to buy them because I don't know how to inspect/test them.

My wife said she used to win money in karaoke contests. Hopefully I can put a system together which would encourage her to find her voice again.

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Placed an order for the Yamaha!!

What is your overall budget for this system ?

Yes anything used is GOOD if its in good condition. - Many of the local music shops have used speakers that you can listem to.

As far as being made for bigger venues, depends on what you get. There are small scale PA systems that will work fine in a home basement, to PA systems that can run an arena.
If you can try bypassing using the home stereo altogether - they really are not designed for live vocals. Look into a couple powered speakers like the Behringer B212D. The mixer then connects directly to the speakers, giving you a nice starter 'pro' PA system that isn't overly huge & can be used for small halls & small scale outdoor parties as well (there may be a time you want to throw karaoke parties here and there).

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

My budget was about $800. I spent $550 on the current speakers and mixer. I still need to buy a pair of microphones and maybe a cheap DVD player. I originally thought that I could add amp to my receiver later on but it looks like these speakers are a different technology. I originally thought that the smaller PA systems are made to sound loud at the expense of being accurate.

Just to confirm. I need XLR male to XLR female cable to connect the Microphone to the yamaha mixer? I think I currently have the 1/4 cable.

XLR-XLR would be the best connection.

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

So there are other options? I read the specs from the manual and that's all I could see. If it can indeed take the 1/4(?) input then I don't need to rush order a cable right now.

Thank you

Yes, you can use xlr at mic to 1/4 at mixer but then just budget for a better cable (xlr to xlr) in the near future. If you have a Guitar Center near you there are several cables that will have a lifetime replacement guarantee on them. Cables can run into many dollars when you add them all up, but trust us, they are every bit as important as any other part of your system.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

I just purchased this, not great... but the price is right.

Musiciansfriend is running a TAXMAN promo this weekend that brings the price down an extra ten percent

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=631033

I saw a guy just the other day running a trivia show in a bar with that exact setup. I was actually impressed on how good it sounded, but he was playing at a pretty low volume level.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Speakers are kinda underpowered as 15 inchers go, but I figure they are more than enough for my needs... And if I felt I needed more power adding a powered sub would free up their amps enough to really rock.

I heard the speakers at a local karaoke show, not great but he was running them with a Gemini DJ mixer/cheap wireless mics and most of the audience seemed ok with the sound.

$386 delivered for two 15inch powered speakers, 2 stands, 2 mics, cables and a $100 mixer... I know it is not a pro setup, but more than a great buy for me.

Alright, you guys got me convinced for $386. I wasn't looking at it because I thought $426 was the price and I already got the Yamaha mixer on the way.


I called in and got the extra 10% off on the Yamaha. I just need to figure out how to pawn off the $90 mixer bundled with this. Hopefully this will work out. I will come back and let you guys know how it goes after I get everything set up. Maybe to even pick on your brains on how to use these. Thank you.

Good Luck with your setup.

Did you order the package already?

I just found a code that gives you 15percent instead of 10...

both codes expire tonight

Was it a one time use code? I posted after I placed the order and retired the computer for the night. Their policy allow price adjustments for 45 days so if something significant comes up I'm planning to adjust.

I just thought of something but I'm not sure it will work because I don't understand much about a/v receivers:

Sony Model number: STR-DA4300ES.... click on the link => specifications tab to get to the Owner's Manual
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... ifications


Basically, I would use the HDMI to output audio and video to the receiver.

One option I can think of is to use the HDMI => Receiver RCA pre-outs => Mixer => PA speakers.

The other one would require feeding the signal back to the receiver to output through the receiver's speakers. The reason I think this has a chance (about .001%) of working is because the receiver has in/out for recording.

Anyway, if option 1 works, then I at least wouldn't have to upgrade the sound from my computer.