Karaoke Forums

We have a troupe who visits twice a year to enternain patients at our VA hospital.

These guys put on a fantasic show wth great sound and lighting.

They use this system:

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VI ... tended.jsp

I like it cause it all fits in a small rack with their mixer. They fill a 50X 80 foot auditorium that is at least 20 foot high with really decent sound.

Thank you for your suggestion, Keith.  Unfortunately, I'm looking for something with more punch and clarity in the sound.  The SRM450, DB 412, PM15A, or NX55P plus a subwoofer would be the ideal system for my needs.  If it's a bigger venue, I can also bring my 1584s, powered by DCM2000.

Which ever you go with, I'm a firm believer in trying to stay with a "matched system."  In some case a matched cheaper system could sound better than a miss matched more expensive one.  Mainly because there are many who haven't had enough experience yet in working with sound.

I'm partial to Mackie.  450's, 1501 and the CFX12.  It's not the most expensive; nor is it far from cheap.  But it works good together and I have used it enough to do well with it.  I'm always learning but beacuse the system all works together it has helped me through many years of the learning curve.  I will never "master" it; but I will continue to improve.

Kelly

Cool, I wish we had a Carvin store here!  But yes the lack of a sub can make or break the sound.  I won't run a show without at least 1 anymore.  Even in smaller rooms, there is always somewhere to put it!

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

I strongly agree with the 'matched system' concept....Many makers offer components made to work as a system....don't ingnore those solutions by playing system designer yourself....It is best to get around the salesfloor types and speak directly with folks involved with the design of your system....Makers like Peavey offer web forums where you can speak directly to the people who actually design the equipment....Make sure to exhaust those options.

I am not trying to promote Peavey here, but I was very fortunate to discover their support forums before I purchased my equipment. Those guys there assisted me greatly...They had good reason to. They wanted my purchase to be completely satisfactory and be able to do things I had yet to even know I needed it to do. They fixed me up with amps that would take inexpensive xover modules that would complement my tops and subs...And an EQ that was also made to work with my amps and cabs....They had a 'system' that I could build on and get full advantage of with every dollar I spent.

I tend to shy away from manufacturer forums as a rule when it pertains to stuff like that.  Peavey, Mackie, Carvin, etc....forum users tend to believe in those products & often will not recommend other brands since they tend to be more brand loyal.  I find more of basic pro audio forums & forums like these to more useful as you are talking with people who have hands on experience & in different scenerios.
If I am asking questions about a specific brand/make/model I will go into the manu forums.

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

Lonman,

I gotta disagree with you here.

Yes, all forums can be loaded with guys who are brand-loyal and all that....I found Pro Sound Web to be the absolutlely worse place for that...Peavey has them too, and so does any manufacturer's support forums...You gotta be smart enuff to sort thru their hype and get down to the nitty gritty.

The key is to get in contact with the actual factory guys who often frequent those forums and pick their brains....They can reveal features about their gear that will help you make better choices....Peavey is one of the few where the actual designers frequent the forums and answer questions honestly...,.They may not have the best gear, but they fersure have honest folks working there....That goes a long way with me.

Maybe about two-three years ago, I Met Mike Bush on the Peavey forums. We chatted email. Mike designed their Low Rider subwoofer drivers.....I don't know if he still works there or not..But he was very forthcoming about the Low Riders and what I could expect if I bought them...He was honest and straightforward with me about what to expect and revealed their strengths and limitations....After we were thru chatting, he suggested I go with 18" Kappas in properly sized generic boxes at 400 watts  with 600 watts of amp crossed at 150 Hz and to forget his Low Riders.....The guy was right...I'm very happy and I didn't buy his speakers....Yeah, that kinda support goes a long way with me.

I also discovered he too had worked on submarine silencing and cutting edge top secret sound silencing stuff back in the Cold War.....He had helped design the 'shaker' systems we tested aboard a specially converted submarine I spent years on....I bet I met him back then during one of the many secret missions where we loaded up with the tech geeks and their gear and went silent and deep to test it...and here he was now working for Peavey trying to make them a buck and sharing what he knew with guys like me.....Yeah, that goes a long way with me.