Karaoke Forums

I'm sorry if this question has been asked 100 times.

First I'll fill you in on some background info. My uncle owns a small bar, holds about 60 people. We have Karaoke 2 nights a week. We have had some great Kj's in the past, but we are without one now. I decided that I will put together a system for him. I have taken part in or seen tons of diffrent karaoke shows in the past, but I have never hosted one.

I have researched enough to know I want to go with a full digital system. That seems to be where karaoke is headed, so I might as well. I have a brand new Dell Studio 14 laptop, that will be completely dedicated to the buisness. I have also downloaded the free trial for CompuHost, and I like the features that are included. So that would be my software, unless someone can point me to a comparable cheaper alternative.

The bar already has a flat screen on the wall that the others have used as a monitor, so I will use that. But that brings up my first question.

What cords/adapters do I need for that, and do I just run it from the laptop to the TV?

Next, I would need a PA. Like I said the place holds about 60 people balls to the walls. I want something loud, cause we have pretty rocking, rowdy customer base, but not trying to overkill it. I would also like the sound to be as clear and crisp as my budget will allow. I dont plan on doing any other shows besides this perticular gig, but I would like a mixer that I could upgrade to bigger and better speakers should the need arise. If thats even what a mixer does. Im not sure how much sense im making.



Should I buy one of the pre-arranged PA systems like Musicans Friend sells? Or should I opt to buy indivdual componets?

Any opinions on brands and wattage?

Powerd speakers? Powerd mixer? Or individual amp?

What style of mixer would I need?

Will all mixers work with my laptop?


I also know I want atleast 3 mics. 2 wireless for the singers, and one I can mount at my station. I know most of the packaged deals come with wired mics, thats fine I can always have them as back up. I dont want high end mics. I just cant afford them, and not sure if I want this crowd using top dollar mics anyway.

What is a decent set of mics in the $200-$300 range?

Any opinions on rechargeable mics?

Do I need any extra hardware, wires ect. to hook the reciver to the mixer?

And lastly, what are some options on how to make songbooks? Any free programs? If not, any opinions on a good software program?

I have a budget of about $1200 for the rig alone. I didnt figure cost of the music in that, and I already have the laptop. I know thats not alot of money, and I wont be getting the best stuff, but is it enough to get the party started with some decent equpiment?

Sorry for the long post, and if my questions sound stupid I apolgize. I figured I would just ask some experts for their input. Any help with any question would be greatly appreciated.

First off you are going to get a lot of others that will contradict what I am about to say. You just have to find what works for you.
The PA depends on how big the room is. For a small club you might get away with one of the packs that Musician's Friend sells. As to wireless mikes, I would look at the AKG WMS40 dual set that is within your range. I would use one of the wired mikes for yourself that way you don't have to go out and spend out of the $300 you allotted for the mikes on that mike.

A good cheap songlist program is the one that tricerasoft sells. Basic and will read off of your song files. A much better option is Fast Tracks because you are going to need to rip your files. If you can wait til mid July you can get a full set of Sound Choice's new product line that is called the GEM series. It will already be ripped for you. All you have to do with it is transfer it to your hard drive. It will be compatible with Compuhost and the other MP3+G format players. I would assume you could format shift it into Hoster's format.

As to software, Compuhost is a great program, I use to use it. The reason I don't use it anymore is that it has passed by my computer's specs. I know I could just stick with the version that is compatible but I have found a gem of a program called JustKAraoke While it was meant to be a basic player, I personally believe that it is worth more than they are selling it for ($34.95). It is the only standalone that has a kiosk function. A kiosk takes the place of books and slips. I last used compuhost to help me create a book so that when I do get audited, I will have the book for them to look through. But I use a second computer to allow my singers to send their requests to my hosting program.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Thank you for the response, I appreciate it. That mic you mentioned is definately in my price range. Do you have any experiance with them? Are they something that will get the job done with decent quality, or is it pretty much "you get what you pay for"?

It would depends on TV and computer.
If your laptop has S-Video out that is pretty cheap and simple
If it lacks S-Vid, it may have VGA out... So it would depend on the TV having VGA in.
Newer laptops have HDMI out, so again check the TV

If laptop and tv dont match up exactly you can find adapters.



60 persons is on the small side, but it still has endless possibilities.

I wanted some bass, so my budget system needed to include a powered subwoofer... That budget subwoofer was $700(and that is cheap as subs go), add $300 on the mixer and its case, you are at $1000 right there b4 buying tops and mics.

You can get a B52 matrix 1000 which includes a decent sub and two tops for about $700. Add a mixer and case plus mics, you will be just over $1200.



You need a sound mixer(aka sound board), not a DJ mixer.

Yes all mixers will work, but some will connect better. Cheapest(obviously not best way) method is just a little y connector from laptop earphone jack to a mixer input.

Some have external usb sound interfaces with decent outputs to the mixer, and some Mixers have the usb sound interface built in(my preference).

I would say look at the Mackie ProFX8 or Behringer XENYX X1222USB, the mackie has a better rep but the Behringer has built in compression(works ok).

My hook up for audio is...
USB cable from laptop to mixer
2 XLR cables from mixer to Subwoofer
2 Xlr cables from Subwoofer to tops.

I will recommend you have a look at my blog posts on karaoke systems. You are asking the right questions... some of them are answered in my blogs. The blogs will fill in basic understanding.

My blogs start here: http://john-the-revelator-does-karaoke. ... art-1.html

I welcome any constructive or at least not terribly destructive comments on my blog posts.

Revelator

I pretty much agree with what Manobeer has said, if you can afford it get a powered sub, as most have what is called a crossover built in to them. What this does is split the music into different frequencies. The lower ones get sent to the sub and the rest get sent to your your speakers.

The reason this is important is that the human voice falls mostly in the mid range, and since karaoke is all about the singing it definately helps to be able to single that out.

You may get people telling you that behringer is total crap but i personally have never had a problem and have found them to be an excellent value for the price, especially now that they make mixers with compression built in.

To the best of my understanding, a compressor is best used for those people who like to scream into the mics.

For a place that only holds 60 people I personally wouldn't worry about the extra expense of wireless mics, but if you want to go that route there are several good two or three mic systems that can be bought for reasonable money

just my two cents, for what it's worth

best wishes

-James

For a bar that size, you don't need to spend 700 on a sub.

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... 801NA/10/1

I picked mine up over a year ago for $550 including shipping new. 700 watts, 73 lbs. 18" sub. It's a babe. A DJ saw and heard mine and went out and got his own. For the money, it can't be beat. And it is powered,,,, or not if preferred, just take the A off the end of the model #.

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

Manobeer--- Thank you for your response. I appreciate the good info, and your help.

JohnTheRevelator--- This forum, and your blog is why I decided I could problaly do this with a little effort. It was an entertaining read, and very helpful thank you.

jclaydon-- Thank you for your response, especially the Behringer part, cause thats the speakers we went with.


ripman8--- thank you for your opinion, and link. Our past DJ's have had sub woofers, and I am pretty sure we will get one soon.


In case anyone cares we got most of our system.

2 Behringer 15's powered 550 watts. With stands

A 12 channel Behringer mixer

1 Shure SM58 wired mic, with stand for the host

and all the required wires, for less then $1100.

I still need atleast 2 more mic's though.

Thanks again for everyones help!

Please give us some feedback(reviews) and tell us exactly which Behringer 15s you got.
I have been considering getting these.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 ... 0W_15.html

Since you have lots of Behringer, let me put in a good word for their XM8500
mic. It is by far the best low-cost mic I have seen, far better than the Nady
or Samson equivalents.

A pro-quality mic that is often available for $50 on Ebay is the Audix OM2. It
has the advantage of rarely being sold in counterfeit, which is always a risk
when purchasing an "SM58" on EBay.

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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.

Second the recommendation for Audix. Good mics.

I second the Behringer recommendation. They're all I use and have never had a complaint. Tough as nails too. They put up with a lot of abuse, which is what you tend to get with karaoke.

They are durable, good sounding for th price. I actually have not had the chance to use them so I am going on reports from other owners of the mikes.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Thanks all for your input and advice. I'll check those Behringer mics out.

We gave our rig a test drive tonight. The speakers sound great. Now I just need to learn that damn mixer, and how to make the vocals sound good. Dont even want to try to get into the effects yet....

With the speakers you purchased good luck making things sound "Good"

Not very constructive after the fact. Sometimes it's good to either be supportive or keep quiet.

Birdofsong

for real

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[glow=red]Yo sucka, we need this hea CHOPTER, and we need it now![/glow]

Thanks for your input. Im not worried about having crystal clear "Bose" sound like you probably have. I just wanted something I could play loud to a rowdy bunch of drunks.

Good looking out though

at the Bose comment - old saying in the pro sound (and even audiophile world) no highs/no lows - must be Bose!
Although I honestly think you could have done better for your goal, you should be fine with what you purchased.

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

Yeah maybe I could of, but this needed to get done soon. Normally I would research for weeks and got the best deal possible, but im happy with what I got. The speakers sound pretty decent for my untrained ear. They look and feel pretty durable as well, which is a big bonus for me.