Karaoke Forums

I've been looking at mixers lately because I'm now doing a gig that has house powered speakers (Peavey Eon series) and I'm needing something with a little more versatility.

I have access to a store locally with decent prices on most mixers from a few dealers (Mackie, some Soundcraft, can't remember the others).

When I first started looking I asked here and was told to consider the Mackie DFX-12.

I've been looking at some of my other options and have been looking at the Soundcraft Compact 10 ($240) and Soundcraft Spirit ES (waiting on a price from the dealer).

The main difference is the number of stereo inputs is much higher on the Soundcraft products. The Spirit allows for more flexibility in the EQ side (you can select the mid freq on each channel). For hooking up monitors, house speakers, etc. I just see more flexibility on the Soundcraft products.

However, (isn't there always a however?) the Mackie offers effects while the Soundcraft models don't.

Does anyone have any experience with the Soundcraft products I've mentioned? The number of stereo inputs is a concern because I'm just starting out and use 2 laptops (one for mp3+g playback, another for music only between songs), a DVD player for the VCD/DVD discs (because they take so long to que), and a seperate CD+G player (I have a triple tray on order, but using a Ritech 3900 for now). With those 4 inputs I'm using a switchbox right now (the same I use for video) to switch the second input on my existing inputs and using the first one for the music.

Even if I scaled back completely to a show totally on laptop I'll still need a second input for a CD+G player for when customers bring in their own discs (which I usually allow) and for the DVD/VCD discs (which I technically 'could' play on the laptop but I don't know of a hosting program that plays DVD's from the que). I don't plan to go to a rack mount computer or shuttle case anytime so playing them from the laptop isn't a possibility unless I start using lots of external drives (already have one with 100GB of LEGAL music) which I'd like to avoid.

Any recommendations on product pro's and cons I'd appreciate at this point. If you have and recommend a product other than what I'm considering let me know. Remember, I'm pursuing flexibility at this point and budget is a concern - I need to come at $400-450 or so with less being better as long as I'm getting bang for the buck.


Please none of the 'I told you so' posts on my Fender PD-250 not working - it's fine for the standing year-round Gig I have in a small bar, it's for the 'new' gig (out of town) I have that I need to upgrade, and I've planned for it. Powered speakers are next and I'll post questions when that time comes to compare products in about 4-6 weeks (Mackie SRM-450/JBL Eon/maybe others).

Why not a Behringer Mixer? You would spend alote less & get more!!

The UB Pro Series is excellent and for what you are interested to pay you would get a better console. I have the UB 1622FX-Pro.

Now, I'm not saying Mackie & Soundcraft are not good but what you wish to use it for I believe Behringer would be a better choice!!

Regards

All the control surface details are basically the same for the major brands but the basic considerations for choice are. Compare the specs over all gain ex -90 db give a general indication of headroom compare the input levels (sensitivity etc) And of course the output levels.
The mixer should have balanced and single ended outputs and should have inserts on the mic channels. It should have 2 aux sends one for the stage speaker monitor and one for parellel effects etc. with a return and fader control.
As far as mid eq I tend to use the mids for reference and adjust lows and highs to the mids After using parametric eq's I wish I had one in my mixer.
I would rec the Mackie main reason effects but some folks drive fords other chevvys...... I recently added a Bbe 362 to my system and I had to modify a dfx12 and put 1/4 plugs next to the 9/10 11/12 inputs and inserted between the eq out and the output busses That way I can still use bal outs.

What is your opinion of the new Mackie Onyx 1620? No effects, but it has 8 mix inputs, 4 stereo inputs, and all the connections I'd likely ever need. Also has a firewire option which I'm still reading up on for connection to a PC. Appears to be rackable (important since I'm about to rack pretty much all my gear soon for easier transport). Price is a little higher than I had planned (street prices) but possibly doable.

The real question, how important are effects in a live environment? I use a little reverb for my singers (it's what I have) but nothing else (yet). Does it really make that much difference to the overall sound? Doi singers expect EFX to make them sound that much better? I want to make them sound as good as possible, but budgeting for purchases are important (I still have to get some powered speakers and pay for a wedding/honeymoon before the end of the year!).

Ok, I understand that these might be basic questions and I'm still looking for a good reference on mixing sound without going to a $15,000 school to do it! I'm learning as fast as I can on my own... ANY help at this paoint is greatly appreciated. BTW, if you know of any online reading or books that aren't out of print that cover mixing 101 and more I'd appreciate it.

Wasn't familiar with the Mackie Onyx 1620 but I just read about it. It would be worth it if you plan to do some serious digital recording with software like Cakewalk or Cool edit etc and using multi-channels. Firewire was a vast improvement to many things like Nikon scanners and I'm real interested in the 16 channel inputs back to the computer.It would be a slight over kill for mobile karaoke although it certainly would work. I would look for used mixers on ebay another source I like is Musicians Friend
I am doing karaoke fill music and I can play a cdg if a customer brings in a personal cdg with a click of the mouse I cant do dvd's but we dont watch slides or movies while we're singin out here... I'm actually running the left channel into 9/10 no pan and right channel into 11/12 no pan efx off on left channel on right channel. So I dont need that many channels...
A little live reverb is usually enough for most karaoke venues I tend to get carried away with effects esp after I am familiar with the acoustics in the club where I am playing. When I am rockin and everybody is enerjized if I turn off effects the mood dies quickly. It just depends on the crowd time of night and type of music. It can be overdone at times.

Another good source is Jbl's tech library..One of the biggest improvements I have made lately is a Bbe 362 sonic optimizer..... It is awesome...

For some added effects I'm considering the Peavey Delta FEX if I go with a mixer w/o them built in. I'll do some reading from the site you listed and start trying to get 'sound smart'....

All this time I thought the computer field was getting more and more compliated and then I start learning about audio... whew... it gets deep quick at this end of the pool! (IOW, I feel like I'm over my head!)

Soundcraft makes a great mixer. Being a British designed board it does have a very sweet sounding eq. I used to use a couple (Spirit Folio 4 Rac Pac) for my shows until they died one a few years back & the other earlier this year. They were in service for over 10 years working mostly 7 nights per week. I replaced my main one with the Mackie CFX12 3 years ago & probably wouldn't turn back to anything else anymore. I replaced my mobile unit with a Behringer UB2442FXPRO this year per some high marks on this and others forums - and despite my previous experience with Behringer (and my better judgement) I went ahead & gave them another shot & they haven't changed. 3 channels have died within the 1st 6 months - with another showing signs, the effects are noisy & now it is now developing fader static. I have replaced it with another Mackie & now couldn't be happier. Behringer IS great for the money, but if you put it through any kind of major use, you'll be sorry.

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

Just thought I would let you know what I picked up.

I purchased the Soundcraft Compact 10 mixer. I would have preferred to move to the Mackie Onyx 1620/1640 but it's out of my price range right now. Given the high number of stereo inputs and my moving to a computer based system in the near future the Compact 10 made the most sense. Total cost = $240.

4 mics inputs, 6 stereo inputs. 3 band eq on all channels. So far I've been VERY pleased with the quality and usability of the mixer. I'll do my first show with it on Tuesday of next week and hopefully my effects will be in by then (Peavey Twin DelteaFEX = Cost $56+shipping woohoo!).