Karaoke Forums

This may be an obvious one, but I'll throw it out in hopes of gaining some much valued insight.

I have an EP2500 (Behringer) amp.  PHX1000 (Behringer) mixer, and two PSX-153 mains (350w program).  I just recent replaced two cheap Nady mics with 2 SM58s.   I did so at about the same time I upgraded my EP2500 from an EP1500.  

I'm having to max out my vocals on a lot of singers just to hear them.  Even more since upgrading my mics.

How can I improve the power of my vocals?  Should I employ the services of my EP1500 just for vocals?  Would a comp/limiter help?  Also, ever since upgrading my amp, I seem to be getting a lot more treble which I'm finding hard to EQ (especially on the singers).  I'm not using my 31-band EQ, just the 7-band on my mixer and 10-band on my PC app.

Please advise!!

Can you not lower the gain for the music backing, or just just push the fader down so that the vol match that of the vocal?

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

Yes ... I could certainly lower the music volume to match the vocals, but I'd like to maintain the level on the music and add to my vocals to match.

I Could'nt Locate That Model Mixer Behringer PHX-1000?

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Man Must Know His Limitations -Clint Eastwood

I've never been able to either.  It's comparable to Europower PHM1000 except it's a 600w instead of a 400w.  I don't believe I'm using the mixer's power, but sending everything through my amp.

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Then that is the reason you have this problem. it is not hardware related.

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

I'm looking to add power to my vocals, not reduce the overall performance of my system.  Thanks Jian.

We use the same power amp, the EP2500 and have no problem with it.

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

That's awesome Jian.  Can you detail how you've got your system set up.

Lower your music to match mix the volume level then compensate with the master fader on the mixer.  It may be as simple as your gains on your music channels are set too high as well or the gains on your mic channels aren't set high enough.

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Try to get the most from the vocal channel by incresing the gain but not clipping it. Just make sure the vocal channel fader is near to unity. I still think you may need to lower the vol of the music.
If the vox have more treble, then you can reduce it from the vocal channel eq.: cut the hi. I normaly bypass the 9band eq on the mixer; I don't find it of much use in karaoke

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

On some of the singers, I've got the gain almost maxed, and the slider at or above unity.  I've got the master faders at unity.  That's too much I know.  I don't think I'm blasting my system.  And what's the deal with the SM58s putting out less than the cheap Nadys???

In my personal use of SM58s and other lower end mics, I have found that the cheaper mics seem are a bit "hotter" and able to [ic up less experinced singers better.   Unless you are a power singer, the SM58s are not for you.  Just my opinion, fro using several different brand osf mics.

You know, I don't seem to have a problem with the power singers (such as myself) and I've been told it sounds much better.  I may just put the Nady's back out for the general populous.

I have the same problem with the SM58.  I have to turn down the channel fader on the music and bring up the master fader to match the volume from the mic.  My other mics are hotter and cuts through the music easily.  It might be time to upgrade to a condenser mic such as the Beta 87A.

Jian knows what he is talking about...you lower the gain on music, adjust the gain on mic so the mix is better and then up the master till the music level is back where you want it

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I've also experienced the difference a mic cord can make.  I have two mics that perform quite similarly except for the cord.  When I use the 1/4" jack neither mic does real well.  When I use the XLR w/phantom power on the difference is incredible and I'm able to have my music and vocal on just about the same settings.  (I only mention this because I didn't see mention of how your mics were corded/powered.)

SM 58 should have no problem of impedence miss-match with that mixing board pre amp. You may want to check the cable; try other cables to see if it make a diffrent.

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

NEVER EVER use the phantom power UNLESS you have a mic connected to your mixer that requires it.  Condensor mics are mostly what needs phantom power, if you do not have one, you could actually harm your mixer's power supply AND possibly the mics as they are being sent a powered signal they don't need.
A condensor mic using a standard 1/4" tip/sleeve cord is not going to work at all with or w/o phantom power nor will it work with an XLR cable w/o phantom power.

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FYI....phantom power ON should only be used to power condensor mics, some DI boxes and a few other things.  If you are not usinging thoes thing, leave the phantom power off.