Karaoke Forums

I'm glad I found this site, good objective info seems hard to come by.

I'm putting together a basic system to start doing karaoke at some local bars.  I've got some of my system tentatively picked out--

Yamaha PA System, EMX 512 and BR 15 Speakers
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630199

Any feedback on that equipment?

Also, I'm not sure where to start with player/ music.  I'm interested in the scdg format for the cost effectiveness and ease of portability/ playability.  However, I've read some posts on here that indicate that the music quality is poor, the songs take a long time to cue, etc...

Can someone give me an idea of a good starting package of player/ music?  I'm trying to stay around the $1500-1800 range for music/ player.

Any ideas?

get the player from musicians friend as well. They have one that is rackmountable.

music?

Get the SC foundation 1 for a decent core. Look into what it would take to budget Foundation 2...

I would also check into the multiple packs out there. All Hits, Dangerous... etc. You'll find some SWEET deals on Ebay, but be careful and check the seller's feedback! Many of the retailers here have some serious sales from time to time. (just checked with karaoke.com, and they have a half-price pak sale, and all sorts of sweet little deals!

I've seen the SC Foundation set.  There are similar sets from Chartbuster, is the SC set a better quality?

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I don't ask stupid questions, I'm an inquisitive idiot.

I've seen the SC Foundation set.  There are similar sets from Chartbuster, is the SC set a better quality?

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I don't ask stupid questions, I'm an inquisitive idiot.

Sound Choice is better quality for most genres, Chartbuster makes good country, but the rest of their music from pop/rock/etc....not that great.

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

Chartbuster also is facing it's own legal battles right now... I have no idea what their future is going to be in a few momths...

Like Lonnie, I believe strongly in SC as a core... CB is limited on what they offer as far as quality, where ya almost can't go wrong on SC!

Guess I should have gone into severe detail... seems folks are pretty good at seeing the other stuff, especially in the links we post! !

AVOID Sweet GEORGIA BROWN!! ! OMG!

Thank you for your response(s)

I looked at that half price sale at karaoke.com, there is a pack from DKKaraoke Millenium on sale, any opinion on their quality?

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I don't ask stupid questions, I'm an inquisitive idiot.

DK mellinium took over where the original set left off while mixing in some of the more popular songs out of the original DK set. DK was one of the first CD+G manufacturers that started what now is the standard for karaoke.

Some people LOVE DK, some people say they are the worst.  They were one of the original cdg manufacturers around, while the majority of their stuff I felt was done really well, there were many songs that they changed the keys for some reason - not a real big deal with a key changer & their music has an underlying flute guide vocal melody, not noticeable if someone is singing correctly, but if they are off, you can make out the guide - not heavily, but it's there.  
DK had 99 original discs, the Millenium is comprised of everything off of those discs minus what wasn't licenseable anymore, mainly it contains the discs from their Applause, Premier & Encore sets put into 1.

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Thanks for the info.  I've been looking through some of the older threads on here, and it sounds like plunking down a little more $$ for the SC sets is worthwhile in the long run.

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I don't ask stupid questions, I'm an inquisitive idiot.

Oh yeah, for anybody looking for the sc foundation/ bricks, go to

http://www.doowop.com/category/karaoke_startermdp.htm

They offer volume discounts, 20% off anything over 1500.  If you buy both foundation sets and all 5 bricks together, you save $330, the whole package costs $1320

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I don't ask stupid questions, I'm an inquisitive idiot.

i am also kicking around the idea of starting my own business.i have one firm commitment for two nights a month and two more in the works.i have been looking on ebay for systems.i have found a couple with the player,amps,mics,speakers,speaker stands,lights,and about 3700 songs with song book.for around 1500.00.most of the players are cavs players.
i found one that offers 4 speakers,2 rsq players,4 mics/w cables.lights.monitor stand,speaker stands,amp,and 5600 songs.the speakers are 200 watt.the amp is 1600 watt max power amp.this one is 1900.00 w free shipping.i guess im asking would eiither of these be a good buy?
thanks

brickstaker

Can you provide a little more detail on the system you are looking at
mfg and or model numbers.  This way some one with some experiance with that equipment can give you some feeback.

Like Jam said, please provide makes & models - especially in the amp & speakers, these 2 items alone are KEY in the final sound, mixers?  Kind of mics?  1600 watt max amp isn't much if it only produces 100 watts "clean" power.  On the songs, what manufacturers?  Are they are comprised of Sound Choice & the top brands or are they comprised of Sweet Georgia Brown & the rest of the garbage brands.  3700 & 5600 songs of crap quality may not be worth the cash either.
You don't want to fall into the same boat that many beginners fall into - just getting a system & going out to run some shows.  Make it quality from the start, put on a quality show & charge accordingly - don't undersell yourself!!!  That not only hyrts yourself but the entire kj side of things.

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the amp on the 1900.oo systems is,an american way audio 800 watt/200watts per channel/4 channel amp.1600 watt max power.the speakers are 200 watt/800 max power 15 inch sound tech.the mics  are rsq m-835.the company doesnt list the brand of scdg.
http://search.ebay.com/karaoke-system_W ... QQsbrsrtZd
this is the link for that system.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-KARAOKE-System- ... dZViewItem
this is another system i am looking at.
thanks

200 watts/channel is not going to give you much clean power. When I think 200 watts, I think like and acoustic musician in a coffee bar in front of 25 people. For any decent sized bar room, you'll want to be closer to the 400-500 watt/channel range (about a 2700 watt amp).

Something like this:

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... -6_77.html

All you would need to add to this system would be mics, a player, and the CDGs.

Here are a ton of other package deals if you want to find something closer to your budget. Most of those karaoke systems on e-bay are made up of off-brand components that are pretty hit or miss. Buy a PA from a real music dealer and you'll get quality matched equipment!

http://www.americanmusical.com/sort.asp ... ems&m=6_77

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C Mc
KJ, FL

what kind of player would a person get for a system like the ams pa system?
and how many songs would a person start with?

Honestly I would pass at both of them.  They are both made up of all the cheapest of the name brands (Soundtech, RSQ, CAVS) or no name or off brand components that will more than likely die within a year or sooner.  The music selection is more than likely the low end quality sets such as Sweet Georgia Brown & NuTech which will end up costing you more money in the long run replacing all of the music to get decent renditions.
You would be better to save up and get a nice quality system you can build on as you grow & a good "core" set of music from like Sound Choice Foundations & Bricks for everything up to about 2000 then supplement with the Pop Hits Monthly Millenium sets for music 2000 to current.  It would definitely cost you more at first but would save you in the long run!

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Like I said, a good quality "core" selection like the Sound Choice Foundations & Bricks & the Pop Hits Monthly Millenium sets are perfect to start anyone out.

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