Karaoke Forums

If it works for you why fix it. Unless you can hear using top of the line quality analog vs digital mixer equipment you'll never know how much difference there is between the two. If you are happy with the sound you are using and don't want to spend time learning the digital mixer, there's a huge learning curve to it. Probably take a few months to get accustomed to it and learn about all of its features.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Answer - NO! They will not attract anyone new because you run a digital mixer (mixer is just 1 piece of the signal anyway). It's the kj, selection, overall sound (which can be achieved just fine with analog - and has for years/decades),etc - overall experience to the customer and a mixer is not going to make or break that. Just like kj's that have switched strictly to HD video files and no longer use their mp3g because the sound is 'that much' (which equates to a tad if that) better. Yes the graphics are much cleaner and sharper, but the singer just wants to sing their song, the high majority could give a rip if the graphics are much clearer with special backgrounds that make swirlies under the words - this will not bring in new singers either.

Yes digital mixers are loaded to the hilt with features that analog doesn't have, doesn't mean it's any better, and for those with multiple kj's can be a more pain in the arse to train. I have seen shows where kj's often barely adjust their analog at their fingertip adjustments. I can see it happen even less with a digital mixer.

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

Running a digital mixer for a concert is a little difference scenario. A live band is a little different, you set up the mics ahead of time, and everything except minor adjustments and effect changes throughout, the general settings to all other channels remain pretty much the same.
We are talking karaoke where each singer (and often song since not all tracks are created equal) and effects gets adjusted each song, doesn't need tons of routing options (most shows i've seen hardly even use a floor/stage monitor).

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

I mean, facts. This echoes all that stuff I said previously, but now I have it in experience--finally got my friends to go to the place with the great sound (but not a great bar in and of itself) and the verdict was "yeah, I guess it sounds better. The other place is more fun, though.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

Yeah, I had a group of people that used to come out to my Thursday night show, each and every week without fail. Then they became Eagle members and started going there for karaoke instead. They acknowledge that my show is better, my sound is better and that the bar was nicer, but they all liked paying only $1 for a beer instead of $4.

However, I will never compromise on my sound. There are many people who do appreciate the difference and do want to sound good. I have a reputation for having the best sound in my area, and to some people, it's important.

But the whole point of this conversation was if digital equipment is going to make a difference and bring in more customers. And it is definitely not. At least in the typical bar settings.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

Added bonus--while they were closed for remodel, the host did update the sound system. Things were a lot better last night. So, win-win.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

These are karaoke only concerts, but like you said, for karaoke singers, you're constantly making adjustments. Not just for each individual singer, but the music level changes from song to song too. I don't have to tell you about filler songs and videos between singers. The analog sliders on KJs' mixers fail far more often than those for bands, because they're actually used 100 times more often. That's just another reason to opt for the reliability of a digital mixer. It will pay off in the long run. The economic math says it will, as long as you can afford the upfront cost. Not because you'll make more money per gig, but because it will last longer and you won't need a new mixer for a long time.

Are you assuming that the analog boards will always fail? And that you would "never" have to replace a digital board? I think you might be assuming too much. A good quality analog board should last a person a very long time, maybe even up to 10 years. But by then, you might be looking at upgrades anyway. With most digital boards being as expensive as they are, I would think you wouldn't want to replace them very often at all. And I doubt they will last any longer than 10 years, unless you are doing the same thing with upgrading anyway. Then you add the amount of time it takes to adjust for each singer/song using a digital board, (using menu's, dropdowns, etc), I am in the thought they are not as efficient to use as the analog counterparts. Maybe someday, they will make digital boards that the adjustments can be made on the fly, quickly and easily,,,, I am just hoping for that one.

Maybe for some people and some scenarios, digital boards are the way to go, but for the average KJ who only does it part time, or only for venues that really aren't "professional stages", then analog works. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."... My thoughts exactly, and it's precisely why I've been using Winamp and analog boards for 15 years. I've never had a failure, and I don't need a lot of bells & whistles other than key and tempo change. ... and before you say it, I know I'm not a "real KJ" Alan. You don't have to tell me.

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

Earl, I think you're a great guy. You've been doing this for quite a while and surely know what you're doing, and I certainly have respect for you.

As far as digital mixers are concerned... the only benefit I see in using one would be to eliminate the heavy load of your equipment. It's less bulky and you wouldn't really need a rack mount case for all your stuff. But... with that said, I hate menus. If someone is singing, you need to be able to adjust the Gain, EQ, and Volume settings, on the fly. There's no time to be playing with menus. Give me physical knobs and sliders any day.

But the bottom line is... and I'm sure that the sound quality from a digital mixer is going to be much cleaner than analog with virtually no noise whatsoever. But... are you really going to notice the difference in a noisy bar environment? No your not. I'm sure they're great for studio recording but not for a KJ/DJ.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.