Karaoke Forums

Hi all. I'm trying to set up a system in the basement, about 15x20. It's for occasional family/friend gathering, so doesn't need to be very fancy. (i.e. don't need too many knobs to turn.)

I've read some of the threads on this site, which were very useful. I understand "go pro" is almost the standard answer, but want to double check. I have about $1000 to work with, to cover mixer, amplifier, speakers, and a couple of (hopefully) wireless mics.

There seem to be different choices
1 "Karaoke" brand powered mixer (e.g. BMB) + speakers
2 "Karaoke" brand unpowered mixer (e.g. AKJ) + "pro" amplifier + speakers (or powered speakers)
3 "pro" mixer/amplifier + speakers

The reason I mention the first 2 options is I'd really love a system with pitch/key control, which #3 seems to lack.

Any suggestions? Does #3 mean a small "P.A. system", e.g. a Yamaha Stagepas 300?

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-STAGEPAS-300 ... b01b6#shId

Appreciate your help!

The Yamaha Stagepass, Fender Passport and similar systems I are all items I usually point people away from. With your budget, I'm again finding myself recommending this package from Carvin: http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/s ... 02&cid=101

This would get you a good powered mixer, a good solid pair speakers, a couple respectable mics and you'd still have money to spare. Enough money in fact that you could get the AKG WMS dual set I believe.

The big advantage of this system is that it's all components that can be replaced with other components in the future if you decide you want to upgrade/change your rig. The mixer also gives you an effects unit for adding reverb or delay or chorus. The graphic EQ will be nice to have as well. It will sound far better day 1 than either the stagepass or the passport systems and will give you plenty of flexibility in the future.

Just my thoughts.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

That Carvin is a nice setup and will serve you well.
As far as a key changer being needed, you didn't mention a karaoke player, but many players have the key changer built in or better yet, you can just use your computer and there are several programs (some even free that you can add key & pitch control) that will be more than adequate for home use.

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

I agree with Tony on that line of thinking as well. Carvin has outstanding customer service and does indeed make quality products. They also have other package deals for less money too. If your budget is about a thousand bucks, then also don't forget things like, cords, stands, players, etc. in your budget.

Thanks guys for your quick response. I will take a look at the Carvin system. I was actually thinking of getting the AKG WMS dual set, inspired by the other thread. Now $799 for the system + >$250 for the mics + stand/cable etc. will render the budget a little tight. (Especially if I have to get a key changer. See below.) Would the XP800L-PM10 system be adequate, for a basement room w/ about 10-15 people? Is PM10 still considered better than the Stagepas etc.?

Now about the key changer. I do plan to drive the system using my computer. Unfortunately the karaoke program I'm using doesn't do key change, and I have to use it for my Chinese songs (not CDGs). I have been looking for a program that can post-process the output from the karaoke. No luck yet. Hence the thought of an external key changer. If it's external, for convenience, I'd like a remote controle, hence the karaoke mixer idea. I'd love to hear other suggestions.

You can just use WinAmp and all the key change/tempo change plugins for free. No extra money & turns your computer into a fully functional player. There is even a free karaoke hosting program that will go in front of it.

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

The PM10 System would still be better than the StagePass. However, I didn't recommend it because when doing Karaoke you generally want to get as full range reproduction as possible. 15" woofers in a birch cabinet will generally go much lower in the frequency range than a 10" in a composite cabinet. The result, with the PM10 you may find yourself wishing you had a sub-woofer a lot sooner than you would with the 15" system I recommended. You'd do alright with the PM10 if that fits your budget better, but if you can make your budget work for the 1502 system, I think you'd be happier with that in the long run.

As far as using the computer, as Lon said, all you need is WinAmp with the AutOKDJ and Pacemaker plugins. This is exactly what I use for my shows and both WinAmp and the plugins are free (well to use Pacemaker commercially I had to pay a small license cost, but I believe for home use it's free). I'd highly recommend checking it out.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I will also add in here looking at Tricerasofts JustKaraoke. It's inexpensive, about 25 bucks, and has many of the features a full hosting program has. Plus it's a stand alone program, meaning it doesn't require any other programs for it to operate fully. That is what I use and I really am happy as can be with it. Plus it's easy to learn and operate. The winamp programs that have been suggested are also a good choice, but not quite as easy to learn or operate.

Still struggling... Just noticed that shipping a Carvin to Canada costs $336.

If this ends up being not affordable, do you have any other suggestions? Would one of the Behringer set be "acceptable", e.g.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=631030

And I'm considering the AKG WMS 40 dual set. It doesn't seem to include any cable to connect to the PA system. What kind of cable do I need? 1/4 balanced/unbalanced? 1/4 to XLR adapter? Would the cable be different for different PA systems?

Thanks again for your help (and patience).

Just a TRS to XLR male, ala:

http://www.speakerrepair.com/mm5/mercha ... xlrm-patch


No, not normally.

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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.

Um, it would depend on which mixer they got wouldn't it? If it's a smaller mixer with only 1/4" inputs then you would need a 1/4" to 1/4" mono cable, much the same thing as a guitar cord. Like this one: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Monster-Cab ... 1172756.gc It doesn't have to be that exact one of course, but something in that line of thinking. You would need a double or 2 singles for those mics.

Now as far as Behringer goes, many of them would do just fine for home use. Here is one to look at that might fit your budget. Just look at all your options tho. Do you have a Guitar Center near you? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer-P ... 1432892.gc

Also, I just looked at the link you posted as one you are looking at from MusiciansFriend. I honestly would not recommend those speakers, they are grossly underpowered. They would work for a monitor fairly well, but not as mains. I looked at them at Guitar Center, and they had no "oomph". Sound was ok, just not loud enough to do anything decent. If you ever wanted to take your system, let's say, outside in the back yard or something, they won't do the job at all. In a basement, they would probably due tho. The rest of the package is ok, I own an older model of the same mixer and it is now 6+ years old and still works just fine. However, I don't use it anymore except as a backup. The mics that come with that package are actually really good mics. I own 6 of them, and have NEVER had one single problem with any of them. 6+ years and going still. But again, I chose to go with the AKG set you are considering, just because I got a great deal on them. You would be happy with them too.

Thanks guys for the help. I think I have the "cable" part figured out now. And will hopefully be getting the WMS40 dual set soon.

About the mixer/speakers, I'm looking at the Behringer systems. e.g. between

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=485755

and Scott's suggestion

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=501607

Any thoughts in terms of the passive vs. active choice? Active looks easier for newbies like me.

It also seems that PMP2000 and the unpowered "FX" mixers (e.g. Xenyx 1202FX) have "pitch shifter" function. Can that be used as the key changer?

Any other suggestions in that price range (around 600-700)?