Karaoke Forums

If you are using the Yamaha Mixer and the Harbinger powered speakers, then you would not use the Sony Receiver AT ALL. It would not be included in the system. The Yamaha Mixer, Harbinger Speakers, and your karaoke player/computer ARE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. NO SONY RECEIVER!!!

Your karaoke player/computer would hook straight up to the Yamaha mixer's RCA ins on one of the stereo channels. The powered speakers would hook straight up to the main outs of the mixer. Your mics would each go on one of the mic channels of the mixer. That's the complete PA setup.

Leave the home theater components OUT of the equation altogether!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I am using my HTPC as the source (instead of the usual CDG/VDV player) - we are using DVD karaoke. I guess I could hook the video to the TV directly but I already have it hooked up through the Receiver for other functions.

The main reason I'm considering going through the Receiver for audio is to use the Receiver's DAC. The onboard sound quality (of the HTPC) is not as good as through HDMI.

If I bypass the Receiver, then I might have to upgrade the sound card from my computer. I'm using a Zino HD right now, so I would have to get an external sound card or use a bigger computer to fit a pci-e card in.

I haven't used/owned a decent DVD player for a couple year now so I guess the other option is to get a DVD player. Am I going about this the wrong way?

It is just pointless to buy the PA equiptment if you are still going to run the audio through your home theater receiver. If you are running DVD karaoke, then go to Wal-Mart, buy a DVD player for $20-25 (or at Goodwill/thrift store for $5.00), and use that as your karaoke player. There is NO good reason to run your PA system through your home theater equipment.

DVD player audio -> Mixer
DVD video -> TV
Mics -> Mixer
Mixer -> PA Speakers

That is ALL you need for a good home karaoke PA system.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Agree, if you are going to use your receiver anyway, then you just wasted a bunch of money on a PA that is going to give you no benefit.
Like said go to WalMart & pick up a cheap DVD player for the PA, and leave the home theater to do just that.

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

I don't understand why it's pointless. Even DJs uses laptops/computers to store their medias now. They would usually get an external USB sound card/processor.

I don't need this stuff to be mobile much, so using a Receiver's DAC can't be any worse than a cheap DVD's DAC?

If the mixer can take digital input signals then it's different, but some where between the media and the mixer, a DAC is involved and I don't see how a Receiver's DAC is going to be outclassed by a cheap DVD player. I'm also trying to keep all my media on a central server because it's so much easier to organize.

I've been trying to get a decent bluray player without all the bells and whistles but they don't really make them. I just don't want to have so many players around if it's not necessary.

You have an EXTERNAL USB SOUND CARD... Why would it not feed straight into your mixer from there???

Ok so what it looks like is you want to keep the DVD player hooked up to the receiver and just run a set of outputs to the PA only? Not using the speakers connected to the receiver at all? Kind of a PITA but is feasable, just turn the A/B speakers off on the receiver & just use the PA for karaoke.
The cheap alternative would be just as effective without having to run a bunch of extra wires from one unit through another to get it to the final stage - the mixer - adding more chance of signal interference. The DAC would be more than enough for karaoke on a cheap player. I have a $30 DVD player I bought at MalWart that sounds just fine for music through the PA. Going digital is not going to better the sound as much as you think, unless your PA system is of studio grade quality. But once you run the line from the receiver to the mixer, you are no longer digital anyway, just more added between the signal path.

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This may be a better link to use as it saves a bit of searching to find the receiver information :

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model- ... 00ES&LOC=3

Is the HDMI output from the computer or from the wireless USB soundcard? If from the PC, why not have the PC connected to the Receiver via HDMI and the USB card connected to the mixer and PA. Selecting the sound output device from the PC would then determine if sound is going to the HT receiver or PA.

After a quick look at the manual pdf, it appears it would be possible to connect the ZONE 2 audio (RCA) outputs to your mixer which in turn is connected to your PA amp/speakers. Then by selecting the appropriate HDMI input and ZONE 2 as output, you should get audio out to your mixer. I am not sure if selecting ZONE 2 automatically disables the receiver's speaker output, or even if you can do this manually, but it is desirable to not have the HT speakers active while using the PA.

The PRE OUT and Speaker connections output the same signals. Yes, you could connect the mixer to the L & R PRE OUTs and select 2CH Stereo in the sound field when using karaoke, but you would still be getting sound output to the HT speakers. Alternatively, you could disconnect your HT front L&R speakers and use the PA speakers for the front L&R (connected via the front L&R PRE-OUT and mixer). Selecting 2CH Stereo mode when running karaoke will only output on the front L&R and all the other speakers will be off. Downside of this would be having to have the mixer and PA on for front speakers when using the HT, and you'd probably have to adjust the PA volume independently of the receiver (don't know if the PRE-OUTs levels are controlled by the master volume of the receiver at the same time as the speaker outputs)

Dang it, I didn't see the 2nd page until I googled. I thought everyone was mad at me...


Manobeer... I have an external USB sound card, but it's a small wireless unit and I'm not sure of its output quality.

Lonman..... I don't have a DVD player (haven't used one for a couple years now). I've been using a HTPC. If I can run RCA pre outs(from my Receiver) directly to the mixer, then it would actually save a lot of wirings because my computer is already connected to the receiver via HDMI.

If I run RCA straight from HTPC to mixer, then I may have to upgrade my soundcard.

Murray... The HDMI is output directly from the motherboard. I can use the USB sound => mixer but I may have to upgrade sound card. I can disable the receiver's speakers and I plan to do so. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the preouts signal to my mixer.

Will post updates later... Thank you.

Okay, I have no idea how to use the mixer (Yamaha). The manual doesn't teach much. I spent the last 2 hours testing and I can verify that the PA speakers work by plugging the mic directly into the "mic 1" input of the speaker. I can also get the preouts signal from the receiver(directly to the PA spks) but I have not been able to disable the Stereo speakers yet.

I need basic instructions from someone who owns the same mixer please....

Right now, I have the microphone plugged into the "MIC 1" of mixer and set the gain at half way

RCA output from computer to the "2TF" CD input of the mixer

I have the L/R stereo out of the mixer to the "Mic 1" of each PA speaker


The master and the "Mic1" level of each PA speaker is turned on "half way"

The "TO STEREO" button is at the UP position

I then turn up the Stereo Master control up midway and try to test the mic but I can't get any sound other than slight white noise from my speakers. No computer sound neither. Please help.

It would be really helpful if you said more than "the Yamaha" and "the speakers". You may know what you bought, but not everyone does. (Yes, I waded through the previous posts and it wasn't clear.)

Summarizing and giving model numbers helps. I own a Yamaha MG82CX and an MG166CX, as well working on a MG124CX.

What jumps out at me is "mic 1" input on the speaker. Are you sure you don't have a "Line In"? You aren't sending it mic levels, you are sending it line levels.

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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 understand from your previous posts that you have the Yamaha MG82cx mixer?

My suggestion would be to use the MIC 1 XLR input for your microphone. The Pre-out FRONT left and FRONT right RCA on the HT receiver would connect to the left and right 1/4" line jacks on the MIC 3/4 channel. Your PA amp or powered speakers would connect to the STEREO OUT 1/4" jacks.


On your first post, you said that your soundcard output went to your mixer and then to the Sony receiver, which seems to me to be a bit arse-about-face.

Far better to use the HDMI output of your HTPC to an HDMI input of the Sony receiver and connect the mixer as I have suggested above. This will mean that when you play a movie DVD, you have the sound field of the receiver set to your preference and have the mixer and PA system off (unless you wanted some extra kick-butt front sound!). When using the system for karaoke, you have the receiver's speakers disabled and the sound field set to 2CH STEREO.

It is important that the receiver's speakers are off when using it for karaoke as those speakers are not designed to handle live sound.

I don't have access to any of the equipment you have, so I am only basing my suggestions on the info I can glean from the manuals.

mckyj57....Yes, I do have the MG82cx mixer. I also bought this speakers package.... http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=631033

The speakers did have "Line In" but it was either XLR or RCA. If I use "Stereo Out" then I have to use the 1/4" cables they provided for now unless I can plug the 1/4" plugs into the RCA jacks of the speakers.

Murray... Do I just plug the RCA cable into the 1/4" line jacks? I didn't think they are compatible, but I will try that tonight.

You are right about the HTPC HDMI connection - which is the whole reason I wrote the last post of page 1. I just didn't know if it would work because I had no way of testing it prior to getting my PA speakers today. I am biamping my Stereo speakers so both A/B will send signal to them. This means that I can't choose A for Movie and B for Karaoke. I'm not sure how to disable the Stereo speakers without having to unplug cables.

I have the equipment but the manual doesn't say anything about pre outs.

You have the Yamaha mixer, then bought the speaker package with another mixer included?
To go from RCA to 1/4" you will need that cable. Like:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=339031
Maybe not those exact cables, but those ends.
As far as turning the speakers off on the stereo, there should be a speaker switch somewhere on it or via the remote. I haven't seen a stereo yet that your weren't able to turn the speakers off for when you are listening through headphones or something.

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I had the VocoPro KJ6000 which I returned and ordered the Yamaha. After a couple days I was convinced that I need PA speakers (partly because the Yamaha didn't have the RCA output for me to connect to my receiver) so I went with these which included an unwanted mixer. This sucks that I will need those patch cables and have to wait.

Are you Bi-Amping using the SUR-BACK speaker connections as shown in the manual on page 110?

Yes.... but some how when I select B, I still hear sound coming out.


I was up late last night and I got it to work with the existing cables.

HTPC 1/8" => Mixer CD input
Microphone => Mixer XLR 1
Mixer Stereo Out L/R => Mic 1 of PA speakers

I'm going to have to purchase the appropriate cables to hook it up properly. There are some questions....

1) This mixer doesn't have key-control, how do I get around this?

2) Where do I get a crash course on mixing for Karaoke? It seems like I have to turn the sound loud to get my singer happy. I had to turn the mic gain all the way up. There's also effect like Karoke/Vocal echo which I have no clue how to set for singing.

3) How do I sync the video with the music? My receiver has this function but I'm bypassing the receiver and going straight to the mixer.

4) Basic speakers placement advices: I don't have room appropriated for these monsters. They do look hideous. I have them about 12 ft apart and I'm sitting about 10ft from each, kind of overwhelming. I had them angled up at a 45 degree - didn't put them on stands yet. Can I face them to the side or that will destroy the sound field?

5) When I turn on the Stereo Master Volume about half way, I can hear significant white noise. Is this normal?

Thank you for everyone's help! I'm glad I didn't purchase those prepackaged system for over $1000. As it is right now, I'm under $500 if I sell the packaged mixer. I think I could be happy with this set up once I learn how to mix. The only thing is that there are so many steps to turn the Karaoke on I'm not sure my wife won't blow out her ears one day trying to turn this on by herself. I have kids in the house and I could tell the dials on the mixer board was tweaked. Every time I turn on/off the system I have to make sure all the volume dials on the mixer and speakers are down.

You say you get sound when you select B.

I am assuming you have nothing connected to the FRONT B connectors. Is it possible that the sound is coming from the SUR BACK connectors or any of the other speakers other than the FRONT A? If so, do you still get the sound when FRONT B is selected and the sound field is set to 2 CH STEREO?

Now that I think about it, it might've been the sound coming out of my PA speakers since they sat by each other. I will look into it later.

Okay, I don't know what to make of this. It doesn't matter if I choose A or B or A&B, I get sound from both set of speakers. I have no idea why they would do this.

...... I contacted Sony Support

Apparently when I choose A or B, the only difference is the output to the front speakers - it still send signals to the surrounds. This is why when I choose B, I still get sound because I'm biamping the speakers.

I will have to disable the biamping and choose B speakers when I karaoke.