Karaoke Forums

interested in finding out what type of outboard equipment do you use to enhance the vocals. What does it do and how much does it help.

Depends on what you mean by 'enhance'?  Do you need more clarity, do you need effects such as reverb, echo, delay, etc....?  Do you need a stronger signal?  
What do you have now equipment wise, what don't you like soundwise & what would you like to hear in the final result?

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Start with a decent mic properly matched to a decent mixer or preamp....Decent does not mean expensive.

Then patch in a compressor on the mic channel insert.

The compressor will allow you to increase mic gain before feedback and then automatically attenuate mic gain if things get too loud....The compressor allows you to crank the mic gain up without it being too sensitive.

You also need to make certain you understand proper gain structure thru your mixer before you add other stuff to the chain.

You should be able to achieve pretty good mic definition without a compressor, so work on your gain structure before you add one.....If you are certain you have a decent mic and mixer preamp and you have it tweeked properly, then add the compressor to get vocals that really stand out.

Ok, if you are there already and your vocals already stand out clearly and if you are seeking to 'enhance' the vocals, then look at outboard FX such as reverb and echo....and compression.....I use the Lexicon MX200 for FX and the ART Pro Channel tube unit for compression and EQ.

The ART Pro channel is a little difficult to get right as far as gain structure, but it is worth it when recording....I would not attempt to use it live as it is just too hard to tweek in a 'fly by the pants' live environ.

The Lexicon unit is super easy to use and does not present a challenge to your efforts to maintain proper gain structure....It's a no-brainer.

BTW,

The Lexicon MX200 does NOT have an on/off switch!....I hate that!...If I crank up my stack, it fires up too.........Everything else in my rack can be switched off, but not the Lex unit.

I am a leg biter, so I dug up the guy at Lexicon who designed it.....He admitted he wanted to add the on/off switch, but that there simply was no room on the front panel for it....I pulled it apart and found room......Then he went into how if they added a switch it would have to meet UL an CE standards and that is where they lost my support.

It's a really great sounding unit.......But if you need a on/off switch, then forget it.

I guess enhanced may not be a good description. Im looking to replace my mixer with the Yamaha mg 16/6fx mixer. Not sure if I should get it without the effects and buy the effects seperate. Although I like the ease and simplicity of having it all in one. I am looking for a good quality assortment of vocal effects like reverb echo.... Also have heard about compressors and maximisers(not sure what this does).I am using shure 58 wire and wireless mics and have yorkville self powered speakers and subs.I like the deep richness and clarity of these mikes. the other thing I would like to add is some kind of outboard unit that changes the voice and can adjust the pitch increasing it in octaves. the more gimmicks the better

Well........

For karaoke, the needs are kinda limited...all you really need is decent reverb on vocals...
The Yamaha mixer does a good job with it's built in reverb....If you want ease and simplicity, then buy the Yammerhammer mixer with builtin FX....It is also much cheaper that way.

If you want to complicate your life and have a few extra knobs to twist, then spend your money on a decent outboard 2 channel compressor and latest model BBE....Just make certain to select a BBE that is fully balanced and will support stereo.

Place the BBE on your mains by using inserts on the player input to mixer....Place compressor only on mic inserts.....If you add sub woofers, then the BBE will amaze you....It will also work well without subs on just mids and highs...do not BBE or compress total mix...use inserts!

The MG16/6fx is a good mixer and have a quite pre amp. The efx preset are limited, but are good. I use this board. If you have an outboard efx unit then you can have 2-3 efx per channel.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Get the one with the effects.   Then buy a seperate one.   Use them both to get all the effects you need at once.     With some units, it's only one effect at a time.    So with two, you could use both in many different combinations.      :yes:

I have the Yamaha 16/6FX mixer and the FX are great for a live karaoke application. I get just the right amount of vocal reverb (there are three vocal reverb settings on the player. I use the one that is combo of reverb, delay, and echo) and even play around to create some echo effects if I need them.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Keith, What "inserts" are you refering to? Sorry if I sound stupid. I currently have my BBE connected: Computer/mics into mixer, mixer main out to BBE to Sub to Speakers is this correct?  :shock:  Thanks

What mixer are you running?  Some of the smaller boards don't have channel inserts.

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DFX12 Mackie, I just purchased CFX12II

CFX is a great board.  

Each mic channel has an insert point on it.  At the top where the mics plug in, it's the 1/4" jack under the 1/4" jack under the XLR jack.  In order to hook the compressor up correctly, you'll need an insert cable.  It looks like the pic under.  The TRS (stereo) end goes in the insert.  The 'tip' plug goes to the input on the compressor, the 'ring' plug goes to the output on the compressor.

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Does this go for the BBE as well? I currently have the Main out on mixer XLR going into the BBE then XLR out to  sub.

Actually the main output has an insert point as well, I would stick the BBE in at this point IF it weren't a balanced unit.  Since yours is, the way you are running it is fine.

Out to sub?  You are running it to your mains as well - right?

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From mixer main xlr to BBE xlr out to sub, sub to speakers.

From mixer main xlr to BBE xlr out to sub, sub to speakers.

Oh I take it your sub has a built in crossover for the mains?  I understand!

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Yes Lonman, I use 2 JBL G2 Eons and JBL 18 powered Sub

Nice combo, then yes the way you are doing it now is fine.

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