Karaoke Forums

Hi
I can't seem to locate a search function for the forum, so apologies if this question has been covered before.

I have assembled a basic home karaoke system (mixer A&H PA12, QSC amp and Yamaha Club speaker)  Everything sounds great and now I am ready to add more equipment as I keep getting requests by singer friends to change keys, add echo, reverbs, etc.
Can experts here recommend :

1.  A key changer?
2.  Any equipment to enhance the sounds, add reverbs, adjust echo and stuff.  I know the A&H has some preset internal effects, but no features to adjust echo, reverbs individually.  I get these requests from singer friends who are used to traditional karaoke machines with these functions built in their equipment.

Thank you in advance
John

What are you using for a player, most karaoke players have a key changer built in - you may consider just buying a karaoke player - it will be cheaper than getting an external key changer.  If you are computerized, most of those programs have a key changer of some sort available.

You have a nice little set-up there, the A & H board should be fine for effects it's just a matter of finding one that works & just adding enough to notice it.  One of the room or plate reverbs should be fine for most songs, a simple delay would work for others, but you can add an external unit for more options & adjustability.  The 'built in' echo effects on most karaoke machines are usually pretty cheesy sounding IMO.  
Something like the Lexicon MX200 would give you adjustable reverb, delay & other effects & being it's a dual processor you should be able to mix a couple different effects as well.

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Hi Lonman
I have a Sony 400 disk changer but I don't think it has a key changer function.  But recently, I got a (beta version) media player from a friend to test.  It is being developed by a little company in San Jose.  It is hard disk based so I loaded all of my DVDs into this 300G drive.  The unit allows me to select songs and queue them up to play. (You can think of it as a specialized little computer designed specifically for karaoke - I guess if I could do the same thing using a lap top).  It does not have a key changer function so I am looking for a hardware key changer.

I will check out the Lexicon.  Do you think I need a compressor gate like a dbx 166xl?  Don't u have that in your impressive list of equipment?
Thanks

I actually have the original 166 - not the XL model.  I don't think it will be needed for modest home party use - at least to start, may be an add on consideration later in your investments.  If you stay with the disc changer, then you may want to consider an external changer - still overpriced IMO but may work for your needs with the changer better than buying a single disc player - however if you are going computerized, then you may have other options.

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I'm selling my RSQ505 dvd player... it's on ebay now.

It has a key changer built in, and with the libraries of the pioneer dvd, you'll have a ball at home parties!

Thanks Knight, but I am heading into the direction of computerizing.  It's too much trouble swapping DVDs in and out of the player.  Plus I keep misplacing discs so many times I can't find the disc people request.

Lonman,
Isn't there a cheap (but works well) key changer out there for $150 or so that can tie me over until I completely computerize (2 years probably).  I found a Vocopro (forgot the model) but I am staying away from this brand.  I owned a Vocopro mixer before and suffice to say don't want to buy that brand again.

thanks

i haven't heard a good external yet which is why they are overpriced for what you actually get.  Here is the cheapest I found
http://www.acekaraoke.com/ha2kkmo706.html
Again, personally don't care for this brand either, but others have had luck with them.  It should connect between the player & mixer.

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for good home use, and pro use as well, I recommend highly the akj7000 or the 7050 mixers!

Key change built into the mixer.

http://www.savinglots.com/lotprod.asp?item=AKJ7000

He's already got a great board, amp & speaker, just no key change ability in his players.

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yeah, the problem is... either buy a player with the keychange, or add a key changer... both of which is gonna be a couple hundred bucks!

The AKJ key changer should work firne.  I have one mounted in my rack and it's your best bang for the buck.  A friend of mine has the Vocopro unit and it seems to running fine after many years of use (can't say the same for his Vocopro dual tray player).  I personally hate key changing, but it's a necessary evil.

Cheers