Karaoke Forums

Hello everyone! I am a newbie here and have been reviewing most of this sites forums prior to joining. I am a bar owner and want to purchase my own Karaoke equipment to set up a killer sound and entertainment system, along with lights etc. to help increase my clientele by offering karaoke/DJ music more than the current twice/week schedule.
I have looked at the equipment at Acekaraoke.com and contacted a local Karaoke dealer about him offering a competitive system at what price. For a club system top pick at Ace it is $1599 (CAVS Super CDG & BMB 600 watts), at the local store he laughed at that system and said he only deals with PeaVey systems because of ease of use and the superior quality... for approx. $3000.  I'm using some hard earned $ here to purchase this system and there's quite a difference between the 2 figures. I'm not afraid top pay more for quality, but I've read the Ace websites guarantees and they seem to have good reviews to back up their sales. What is everybodys opinion here on this? My daughter will be helping on the operation of this system, CDG's and the library will slowly increase over the acquired music after getting customer input. My goal is to have Karaoke 2-3 times per week, with a DJ night thrown in and want to also throw a HIP HOP day in ocassionally (daughters insistance). I can do a much better job setting this up because of the "stationary system" ...speakers mounted to wall, lights permanently mounted, etc. Currently the speakers are sitting out on the floor along with the lights, its not a big bar...not small either, but the permanent mount system will free up some very valuable space! Please give me your thoughts on this, I know it can work and my customers will be very happy with the upgrades to their local hangout.

Thanks again,

                                                                                         bigjim56

Hi Jim,    The first step in getting a sound system bid is providing dimensional plans of your layout. Then describe which areas you want to project sound into. Then a permanent system can be designed with ceiling mounted speakers at the proper points and aimed for maximum effect. I need to know your initial requirements so the basic system can be installed with options for expansion as business and finances warrant it.

 Initially I would recommend computer as a head end for a player I have seen many clubs cd's disappear At least with the cd's backed up on hard drives this can be solved.  Also I would recommend powered speakers on the ceiling with a bass bin on the end of the dance floor..

The place of purhase could be established later after the initial buying requirements are established.

I am retired now but occasionally help with sound installations and design.. Beyond this it would have to be on a more personal or business type relationship If you want you can pm me and I will provde a phone number and we can hash out a few things...Or at least I can get you steered in the right direction What is your location?

Regards,
   Ollie
   Cabaret Karaoke

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If it was me and it was a permanent house system, it would be over $5000 and closer to $10,000.     You do want to attract and keep customers, right?     So why not have the reputation of having the best sound in town.   It will never hurt your business.     A crappy sounding system can.      I know a bunch of crappy sounding unemployed KJs.

Two things ruin a wedding,  Bad food and bad DJ.

My portable karaoke system is over $10,000   Add in my karaoke music, now you're over $50,000 total.

If you do it right, you will get your money out of a quality system for many years.

My thoughts on Hip hop night.    :no:    

The type of music you play will determine the type of crowd you get.  
This is going to determine the bars overall reputation.    The reputation gets people to come or not.    Is it a family type atmosphere?     Biker bar?     Gay bar?    Younger crowd, old crowd.      What do you want to end up with?     The music you play will determine what you get.  

For where to purchase equipment:

I suggest  Musiciansfriend

They will match any price you find. You can order online or purchase equipment through their stores. The stores will also match any price found even if it is an internet website print out.
Guitar center

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My first tip would be forget a package deal, they tend to throw in crappy stuff with maybe one or two good pieces. If you do a search, or read through these boards, you can fairly quickly figure out which brands of equipment most of us prefer based on the use.
I don't believe where you get the equipment is as important as the brand you get, althought I've had dealing with the same company Babs spoke of, and they are a choice many of us use. (we have to be cautious recommending any site to buy from due to advertiser restrictions, sorry)
You'll really get great information on this site regarding what piece of equipment will help you with different applications, just takes some patience and time...

And like previously stated, you can get more detailed information from us, with a little more information from you.

Some favorite brands around here (subject to individual opinion) are: Mackie, JVC (for cdg players, if you can find them anymore) Yamaha speakers (love mine)

I'm sure there will be more recommendations coming from others on here, but one brand that is moslty shunned on here is VocoPro (my post may be removed for that comment  :D )

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karyoker....I am from St. Louis (go Cardinals!). I sent you a personal message earlier. The bar is "U" shaped w/the bar seperating the 2 sides. It's not real small, but not big either. It has a basement that I would love to add into, but due to codes and available $$, it seems unlikely. I will have dimensions tomorrow (10/9). I have a Dell Inspiron notebook that could be the brains of the system if possible.

Bigdog...due to budget constraints, a $10K system is out of the question. We went into this bar business just running the bar (monthly rent/utlities etc.) I have some Bose cube/ceiling mounted speakers that I could put on the farthest side of the bar to keep the value/sound level compatible w/the more costly systems...provided they match up. They kick butt as far as good sound! Besides, I wanted to use some of the $$ for a light system that can be seen  through the front window by drive byes...further queing peoples interest. Not real sure about the Hip Hop either, but daughter and some others have mentioned it does bring in the crowd.

Babs...thanks for the link, will browse as time allows. Noticed that the lips move...cute. The wife loves cats too.  (got 3 of 'em)

gahmc...I was thinking package deal so as to get everything in one move, I'm not at all familiar with karaoke systems, but I do love music and have noticed since acquiring this bar that people REALLY love their Karaoke. I'm of the mind that you give people good music/good drink and they'll be happy and keep coming back, I will have filler clips and filler music that will keep the crowd interested and happy.
The light system will be better that the current setup, and easily viewed by passers bye to help promote our party atmosphere. To give you a better idea of the setup...it is a "U" shaped 2 room bar with the bar seperating the 2 rooms...speakers will be in both rooms...looks like my Bose cube/ceiling speakers will be at the far side with the main speakers mounted either on the wall or ceiling in the main  room. This along with the light system mounted overhead will free up a lot of room that is currently being used up by the current portable system...more room for more customers. I am open to suggestions on the seperate components that are needed. My room dimensions will be given shortly.  karyoker reccomends a computer based system...I'm hoping my Dell can be incorporated into this, otherwise the $$ will be short, or will just have to go w/CDG. This idea is in the early planning stages and I'm glad I found this site to help me with my decisions by talking to people in the know.  

Thanks everyone for your inputs...am looking forward to figuring out the wants and needs and getting my own system up and running and giving my bar crowd a better music and light show than we currently have.

Thanks everyone!

Jim as per my pm give me a call tomorrow I can work with any buget and if it seems that I am competing for  bid this is years of competition For right now it is all free I do have several references as to engineering aspects but realize that this is a an operation  that requires a budget . I could come there and design a system and Chuck out in texas could come up too I dont want to turn this into the typical Oh you need ths and you  need this For 2 or 4 k I can  put you in a system and can advise for nothing but at a cetrtain  point I require a fee since I do have a few degrees in enginering

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Yeah, I tend to agree with the piece by piece deal.  Sure you can get a system all-in-one kind of thing, but.....beware..you get what you pay for!  May cost a little more the other way, but do your research and get a good piece of each equipment and you'll be WAY better off in the long run....just my .02....MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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Whatever you get make sure there are authorized dealers/repair shops in your area.  This will save time of shipping etc if you have problems and in fact they may provide service calls to your bar.  They could also assist you in the installation and the placement of your system.  

Also check the warranties of your system parts.  The best speaker warranty out there I can find is Yorkville but that doesn't mean other brands are better or worse.  The speakers I may like you may not.  That will be your choice.

But remember cheaper price does not necessarily mean a better deal.  I personally prefer to deal with a reputable local music store that offers service.  What I mean is if you spend a good chunk of change at your local store and at some time in the future a speaker or whatever has to go back to the manufacturer for repairs, then the chances are, if you have a good reporte (sp) with the store, they would probably supply you with a loaner for nothing (this works best if the store also rents equipment).

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I would never buy karaoke equipment from a karaoke store!! They all seem to slap the "karaoke" tag on stuff and then charge about 20% more than musician's stores do!!

Anyway, I buy 90% of my equipment from American Musical Supply (americanmusical.com). They are always the same price as the other great retailers (guitar center, sam ash, musician's friend, sweetwater) BUT they allow you to pay for most purchases in 3-5 monthly installments without applying for a credit card or anything like that like the others do.

Speaking of Sweetwater, they definately have the most knowledable staff. I hate to say it, but whenever I am researching a buy, I always call them first for their expertise before I inevitably go buy the product from AMS (though I have bought some things from sweetwater as well, so I don't feel SO guilty!!)

I also buy a few items off eBay when I can find a bargin from a reputable dealer.

Finally, I buy all of my music from karaoke.com. They always have really good deals and free shipping over $88. You can find most older disks in their monthly bargin bin for $1-9. Also, because I am a regular customer, they also send me a coupon once a month that is usually good for 10-25% off my next order.

Oh, and no I am not a representative for any of these peeps, as you all should know. I have just been doing this a while and these are the retailers who take the best care of me!!

Oh, and last but not least, I never buy from a retailer that is based in my state!! Remember that you don't have to pay sales tax UNLESS you are in the same state as that retailer

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I never said a karaoke store, I said a music store and to add to that ones that deal in professional sound systems.

Savings on taxes is nice, however, what sort of support do you get from the out of state stores or online and can they give you loaners so you don't lose out.  As for discs, wherever you can get them cheapest from a reputable dealer.

And remember any purchases you make for professional use can be written off so the savings on taxes doesn't really matter as you will write them off as a business expense.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

timberlea,

I wasn't speaking directly to you, I was answering the original post.

Anyway, as for service, most of the brand names can be serviced at local speaker repair stores under warranty for free and after the warranty for a fee. I wouldn't worry too much about the service as long as you are buying a brand name that you have heard of unless you live in a rural area. Most well known brand names would never have been successful if they didn't have good customer service!!

I live in St. Petersburg, FL, a subburb of Tampa, FL, and the last time I blew one of my Samson powered subs, I found out that there were about 20 repair shops within 15 miles of me that could repair the speaker for free under warranty. If you have a Sam Ash, guitar center, or the like, they often have contracts with the local repair shop to get you a lower labor rate on speaker repairs if you need them after the warranty expires, so you should check with them first.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I know it wasn't directed at me personally, just giving some general information for others.  As in anything, it's a personal choice of how you go.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

If you know what you want already, I find the ebay is the best place to buy Karaoke items. I bought 90% of my equipment from ebay. I do buy discs from other places, like Karaoke.com or acekaraoke.com. I wait for their sales and buy a bunch of discs I need. works well for me.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Anything that is made for karaoke that has it in the title ie 'karaoke' speakers, 'karaoke' amp, etc...is generally overpriced, underpowered & not very good.

What is your budget you have to work with?  You can get a pretty nice little system for the $1500, pro quality albeit on the smaller scale!  But those little package systems won't provide a whole lot of volume or good sound either in a large crowded bar.

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Karaoke systems are just fancy PA systems.  A good PA system with a karaoke player is now a karaoke system - nothing more & generally cheaper with better quality.



If you use you computer for nothing more than karaoke, then your Dell should be just fine.  But remember with the computer, you still need to buy the music which primarily is on cdg, then you need to take the time to rip the discs to the format that the program you get will use.  Many if not most of the download sites that do exist are illegal & you don't want to start your bar with something that could eventually get it shut down in the future.  Computer users are still technically breaking the law, but that is another debate entirely.  To date no one has really been busted for using computers.
As far as lights, are you going to be using a stage at all?

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I bought my first system as a package deal.   I went to a qualified music store that is run by musicians.    The owner has his own $150,000 PA system.   He knows what he's talking about.     I told him I wanted to do it right the first time.   He told me what to get, after I told him what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it.    He started pointing,.... he said you want this, this, this, this, this, this,..........The rest is history.    

I took out a loan for $20,000.   That bought everything I needed including the music that was available at the time.   I had to buy a full size van to get it home.  


Ain't nothing sounds worse that a crappy house system.    Singers talk and the word spreads like wildfire.    If you are trying to build business, the last thing you want, is to chase them away with your brand new system.      

You're only going to get one shot at it.    JMO.   The singers can go anywhere to sound bad.    They want to go to places and sound good.    I know you have a small budget, but don't get crap, just to say you have something.

Thanks everyone for the continuing replies. I'm back after a couple days off. I work full time rotating shiftwork and help out with the management of the bar on off days.
I measured the karaoke side of the bar and its 23' X 23 '. Like I said, by mounting the speakers on the wall along with the lights, that will free up a lot of room that is currently taken with the mobile unit in there now. Now will touch base on the replies...

There is no stage, just a corner of the room area, the lights are to jazz up the room.
Current light setup is a 5 row setup that appears to be sensitive to the music tempo. A good set, but the stand takes up floor space, and after checking Musiciansfreind website, I know there's better ceiling/wall mounted units out there that don't cost an arm and a leg.

E-bay...good point. I've bought a lot of stuff from e-bay and have'nt been ripped yet. I have searched e-bay for karaoke, and there's a lot of music on there!

My budget is $1500 - $3000. I want to have excess beyond this to beef up the lighting system. A major thoroughfare passes by outside, and a good light system will pay for itself by pulling in the curious. Is 23' X 23' considered small? Speakers will be put on the opposite side...37' X 21'...hope the Bose will suffice.

There, now some more questions...

What does everyone here think of PeaVey?

What sofware is used for laptop Karaoke control?

Is there anywhere that sells just downloads...like buying songs for 69 cents from Walmart.com, is there a place to download individual songs for Karaoke? Want to ask/poll patrons of their most desired songs and get them right away.

Thanks again everyone for your responses!

                                                                                bigjim56

I can't recomend downloads at all for karaoke. Many of those downloads are not licensed which means they are illegal. They also don't have a good quality compression. They compress them too small and you will not like the sound of them.

Jim,
If you get in touch with "Big Mama'a Karaoke cafe" They are a Chartbuster Karaoke dealer and you can order from them a external hard drive that has the songs you want on them or it ....or so i was told by the guy behind the counter

In your search bar type: Big Mama's karaoke cafe ....and you will find there web site, I would post the link here but im not really sure if its ok... as i dont come here very often.  :)


As far as Peavey....I love there speakers!!!! Maybe they are not cheap "the ones i like"... but they are hard to beat sound wise....I think yamaha's are good but i love peavey when it comes to PA speakers...They seem to have more punch and clarity than other speakers ive listened to. JBL is good too Just depends on how much you have to spend or are willing to spend!

Dont get the one's in the plastic cab...Get the one's in the wood cab's and go with 15's not 12's or 10's.... and use four of them with the right amp

Just my  :2cents:  But then i dont know anything  :D