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Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
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Author:  easyeasy [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
Hi All,
I'm a karaoke singer, but when it comes to technical specs/terms on equipment, I'm totally lost.
I'm thinking of purchasing some karaoke equipment, but need your input, before I do. I've been reading the threads here, and this is what seems to be recommended - and which I'm thinking of getting (I'll be using it in a small bar, about 100 people):
1) Shure SM 58 mic
2) Mackie SR1530Z speakers
3) Mackie CFX 12.mkII mixer
4) Pioneer DVD-V555 karaoke player
5) BBE MaxCom 2 Channel Compressor Limiter Gate

Questions:
1) Mic - is Shure a good choice, or Sennheiser ?
2) Are the above speakers any good (I know they are active :( ) or should I go  with the SRM 450 and if I do would I need a sub)?
3) Would I be needing an EQ or Effects since the CFX 12.mkII has a 9 band EQ and Effects already built in?
4) Or do you think the Mackie DFX 12 is a better mixer? And does the voice cancel feature any good?
5) The pioneer DVD-V555 has a voice cancel feature, is this any good? And does the mic has to be plugged into the player for it to work, or it will still work if the mic is plugged into the mixer?
6) Lastly,(honest  :D ) do I need the BBE MaxCom, or do I need a BBE Sonic Maximizer, or none at all?

Thank you all in advance for your inputs and have a wonderful day.
Happy Karaokeing!
EasyEasy
Author:  twansenne [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
I'll take #1 Shure SM58

Yes they are a GREAT MICROPHONE and provide a great sound.  But I have found, from experince, that a lot of the avarage karaoke singes prefewr my Samson R21 mics to the Shure SM58 that I have.  I belive that you need to be a bit more of a power singer to get a good sound from the SM58s.  Ther was a thread about this a bit in the past, but I couldn't find it.

IF I where you, go to your local audio shop and try ot several different ones.  Barring that, oreder a buch, make sure you can return em, and try them out for yourself.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
easy,

#1 :You can't go wrong with the Shure mic which should run you $99 ea
#2: The speakers you have listed are $1000 ea.  IMHO a little expensive for
a small bar doing karaoke .  If you want active speakers look at the other Mackies which a lot of people say are great SRM450 ($700ea)
#3) CFX12- Great Mixere again from what I've read , pricey at $500 for a mixer
maybe worth every penny..... the DFX12 at $250 is more cost effective.

What are your future plans?  What is your budget?- Is this a business purchase or more of a hobbyist/audiophile ? -  

For me as a KJ I need to balance quality and cost considerations when purchasing
equipment.  Sure a $500mixer and $1000 speakers are GREAT , but are they neccesary ? Can 90% of your customers tell you're using a DFX12 vs a CFX12 ?
Many pro's will tell you if you spend more it has to be better ..sometimes they are right ... You can load all your equipment in the back of a $15,000 Hyundai SUV or a $50,00 Lexus.... OF COURSE the LEXUS is a BETTER VEHICLE, and if monery was no object a no brainer ..but from a business standpoint ??????
Author:  lyquiddye [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
Everything you have listed is top notch equipment. I like using a sub but if you find yourself hungry for more bass you can always add a Mackie SWA1801 or 2 to the system.

You may find 3 way speakers are a bit heavy a little big and hard to get on stands. They will sound great though. Make sure you by high quality speaker stands the cheap $50 ones won't support those mackies very long.

A compresser is not needed but som people like them. I would rather have a Sonic Maximizer or Driverack on the output.

Make sure to protect your investment buy a nice mixer case like a SKB Mini Gig Rig.

Don't cheap out on wires high conductive wires will make a differance. I use Monster cables they, are expensive but make a world of a differance.
Author:  Guest [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
You won't be using the mikes in the machines, they will plug into the mixer with everthing else.     Depending on your budget, a little bit bigger system can always be turned down, in a smaller bar.   Think big.    Go to a music store and listen to some of the PA equipment.   Because that is what you will be buying.   A PA system just like bands use, only not the size of KISS.     You are right in choosing professional equipment, instead of livingroom stuff.    You will also need knowledge of running a successful business, because you will become a businessman.   Run your business like a major corporation.    Take it seriously.    Give yourself all the advantage you can for being successful.    Most business' fail within 5 years, mostly from lack of knowledge and not having enough capital to back you up in lean times.   The gas price issue has us all heading towards lean times.    Don't halfa** your system.     Find out what it takes to deal with the bar owners and the drunken public.   It's more than being just another a pretty face.
Author:  Lonman [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
easyeasy @ Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:11 am wrote:
Hi All,
I'm a karaoke singer, but when it comes to technical specs/terms on equipment, I'm totally lost.
I'm thinking of purchasing some karaoke equipment, but need your input, before I do. I've been reading the threads here, and this is what seems to be recommended - and which I'm thinking of getting (I'll be using it in a small bar, about 100 people):
1) Shure SM 58 mic


Great mic, you can't go wrong here.  I've been using the same ones since '94, they take the punishment.

Quote:
2) Mackie SR1530Z speakers


Nice speakers, however like stated, may be a little large.  The Mackie SRM450 might be a better choice then if needed you can add a sub later.

Quote:
3) Mackie CFX 12.mkII mixer


Great mixer for karaoke, the DFX12 is ok, but doesn't incorporate some of the eq'ing features that the CFX has mainly the vocal channels eq.  A sweepable midrange control is quite desireable.  The effects are basically the same, but you can patch them better in the CFX as well.  Well worth the money.

Quote:
4) Pioneer DVD-V555 karaoke player


Wow, I didn't think they even made these anymore.  Can't help you here, never used this particular model.

Quote:
5) BBE MaxCom 2 Channel Compressor Limiter Gate


Use on the vocal channels.

Quote:
3) Would I be needing an EQ or Effects since the CFX 12.mkII has a 9 band EQ and Effects already built in?


You may need an external eq still, but you won't really know until you get it all hooked up.  Whatever you do, don't get sucked into the classic "smile" setting for the eq, this takes all the midrange out (where vocals are).  You want an eq as flat as possible, it's main purpose these days is to pull out unwanted frequencies & help ring out feedback.  

Quote:
4) Or do you think the Mackie DFX 12 is a better mixer? And does the voice cancel feature any good?


The CFX is a much better choice.  The voice canceller is not any better than those found in most karaoke machines.

Quote:
5) The pioneer DVD-V555 has a voice cancel feature, is this any good? And does the mic has to be plugged into the player for it to work, or it will still work if the mic is plugged into the mixer?


Like ANY voice canceller, it works as well as the original source was recorded/mixed.  Some music will work excellent, while others will sound very washed out & thin - not being very useable.

Quote:
6) Lastly,(honest  :D ) do I need the BBE MaxCom, or do I need a BBE Sonic Maximizer, or none at all?


I would never run vocals without a compressor patched into the vocal channels.  As far as the Sonic Maximizer, this will help much to brighten & add some punch to the sound overall.
Author:  Jian [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
Since you will be needing more than one mic, why not buy both sm58 and the Sennheiser. They are both good mic. Some people like one over the other.
Author:  easyeasy [ Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie needs opinions, suggestions or help - Please.
Thank you all very much for your advice/help, it is greatly appreciated.
I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks again.
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