Karaoke Forums

All,

Thanks for posting a wealth of information on this board.  Problem with choices is you have to know how to accruately pick the one most suitable correct?  

I am trying to start a "home" karaoke system.. (so keep that in mind)

I have a home theatre amp which pushes out respectable power right now... (I know it's a home amp with home theatre speakers) But I did not want to jump into the ocean and drop all these money if I don't have to (I just need acceptable sound for karaoke)  It's the Onkyo HTS770, I"m pretty sure it's at least 100 watts per channel, plus the 220watt sub.  

So with my recent purchase of laptop and a few karaoke dvds I own, i decided to experiment.  I ordered one of those karaoke mixer for like 50 bucks (it hasn't arrived yet)  my PLAN is to plug my computer to the mixer and mixer to the amp.  (laptop to the HTS is already working... had to buy a ground isolator to reduce humming)  

So my next step is ... obviously to test the sound.  (I need confirm that the "setup" in my mind will at least get the mic sound and music sound through the speakers)

I suppose the next step is to buy more appropiate speakers (I read on here the MTX  TP112 might be most suitable for my  usage plus "bargain" budget)  

Next thing i need is a dedicated amp I assume?  Should i just get a karaoke mixing amp?  I know most of you state that it's  underpower.. but really the room is not that big.  

So I guess I need confirmation that my setup will at least "work" and next suggestions on a "bargain" amp and speakers so I won't blow my HTS.

Thanks for reading this long post!

I worked for over a year on two of these:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/MTX-PA-D ... tDetail.do

(The price is high now -- they were on sale last week for $79 -- I paid $99. So wait for the sale.)

Those speakers drive well with a 100 w/channel RMS amp.

I also bought this amp so I would have a dedicated one for karaoke:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/MTX-PA-D ... tDetail.do

The important part is the speakers; you can probably use your current amp if you want.

If you think you may be transporting the system a lot, it may make sense to spend more and get live sound gear.  But I bought a gig bag that fits the amp, and I can throw that and some gear with the speakers in the car to have traveling karaoke.

thanks! I got my speakers idea from you actually.  You seem to be one of the few who can give sensible advice to home users compare to amateur pro.  Is that$160 for one speaker?  cause that is pretty expensive.  

Also if I do not want to use my current home theatre amp, but want to have a dedicated "vocal" amp... which one would you recommend?  Should I just ignore all the karaoke mixer amps out there?

If it truly is going to be a HOME only system, and you NEVER plan to expand, I would recomend one of the VOCOPRO home packages.....
http://www.vocopro.com/frm_product.html

Now if you EVER plan on expanding, I would NEVER buy a amp/speaker/mixer/whatever that says "FOR KARAOKE".  Like it's been said, they are usually too expensive for what you get.

And one more time, you have a GREAT possibility of frying your home theater/stero equipment if you run live vocals on it.

Ditto!

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Thanks all, after reading this board for the past few days i'm WELL aware that i should not run karaoke through my home system.  i got my "cheap" karaoke mixer today... i think my vocals run out fine... but there's some "hissing" sound, whenever i turn on the mic.

So as the so far "ignorant" one that I am right now what is the cause?
1) the mic? when i turn off the mic the hissing goes away.  (it's a very cheap dynamic mic... once again i want to test things)
2) The amp? Doesn't like the sound coming through the wires from the mic?
3) The speakers?  Cause it turns the signal it gets from the amp into the hissing sound cause it cannot handle it?

Lastly i will NOT ever upgrade or move this sytem.. it shall stay in this hermit room of mine forever.  (i make people come to me!) heh.  On that note I would like to have a dedicated amp... mckyj57 mentioned this one that i can pick up for fairly cheap (under $100) but if i'm willing to spend about 200-300 range.. what would be a good "karaoke" dedicated amp to get (without the word karaoke in it.. i see many on different websites... all the karaoke mixing amp.. i mean it seems like i SHOULD get those for home use.. but then again you guys will kill me here)?  SEriously the room is about 12*15 give or take a foot each way.... My HTS is running 100+watts per channel and it's plenty loud... So i doubt i'll need more power from my karaoke amp

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-NAD-PA3.html#

Is that something I should get for karaoke?  Amp, with 2 speakers? and just plug my laptop into it?  (I see the RCA ins if I'm not mistaken)

Next step... picking out decent mics... wireless or wired about 50-75 bucks each?

Thanks for all your help!

As I said in my post, you have to wait for them to go on sale, which they do often. I saw them last week for $79 each, which is a great deal. I don't know where you could find better speakers for that price.

I posted that, too -- it is that Sherwood stereo amp for $79.99.

Any opinions on the squire or nady PA package, or the Behringer powered mixer?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... =102085909

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... =100895127

Since i guess these are the reversal of what a home theatre amp does.. and runs LIVE sound well.... just wnated to know how the music would sound (coming from laptop) through a system like that?

Thanks!

I have the Behringer PMH3000 powered mixer and matching B1520 speakers, and it sounds great connected from my PC. A bit much for home use, though....

Thanks for replying so soon

Although maybe overkill for home use... i guess i can just not turn it all the way up ??  I also see your amp has 2*400watts of power?  The units I'm looking at are mostly 2*200 (I think)  so should be ok for home ?  (I am really auido-power knowledge deprived)

How about this mixer amp

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... sku=631250

250 bucks is in my price range...  

Get a pair of 12 " speakers?  

Also remember how I mention I am getting "hissing" sound when i turn on my mic in my current k-mixer to home amp to home speaker set up... is that normal?

Thanks!

I have the PMH2000, and been using at one of my bar gigs for 2 years now.  It has preformed flawlessly, and is more than enough for home use.

Thanks !

I'll probably go to my local guitar center (only place I can think of off the top of my head that deals with all these amps and speakers) and ask around too... I guess A) i don't think i like the vocopro units B) I suppose I souldn't get a "karaoke" amp since theya re overpriced (and checking the stats... it seems i get much more if I get a 250-300 non "karaoke" mixer amp)  

I guess I just won't crank the volume up??

Any ideas on the "hissing" sound?  crappy mic plus inappropiate speakers perhaps?

Hissing is probably crappy mics, or a grounding issue.


BTW, if you get the PMH200, or any other POWERED mixer DO NOT DO NOT hook it to your home stero/surround sound, you WILL fry it!!!!!

oh yea I definitely won't.  I'll be buying some 12" speakers.... I really have to listen to these things just to make sure it won't be overkill... any suggestions on a lower power amp?  

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... sku=631250

I really like the price and feature on that amp... and from what i've read from you guys, everyone likes their Behringer products... but again.. overkill for a basement living room?  Or should i just adjust accordingly?

Thanks!

It MIGHT be over kill in some peoples' opinions, but I feel it is always better to have a bit more, just in case you want to haul it to the family outdoor reunion.

Twans... besides the MTX speakers... any others you'd recommend for about 100bucks? From the websites it seems the squires are decent (the 10s and 12s) what size do you think i'll "need"?

I wouldn't go less than 12's on a PA, even for "home use".

I have a set of 8" that are fantastic... I never regretted buying them!

Hope I don't get "rip" on this but I am getting a pair of Peavey PR 10.... Althought different websites have the speaker rated differently.... some say 200watts, some say 400 watts, everything else int eh description plus price is the same??

So I end up getting an amp that's 2*200... would that be able to handle those speakers?  (I doubt i'll ever need to crank it more thanhalfway... after all I live in a townhouse)  

Also quick explanations on the diff between dual mono and stereo??

The PR 10 is rated at 400 watts program, which is the number that you want to match your amp to. If you hook a 200 watt x2 amp up to them, you are going to be underpowering them by 50%, which could lead to problems.

Volume isn't exactly the factor that drives this most, so whether you crank the volume or not isn't particularly going to save the speaker components from the consequences of underpowering them.

Think of it this way:

You just purchased a Ford Expedition (speakers) and now need to put an engine into it (amp). The manufacturers intended this SUV to have a 400 HP engine, but you are going to put a Honda Civic engine in it instead. What do you think will be the consequences of underpowering your SUV? The parts of the engine and the car itself are going to wear faster, and if the car is particularly pushed to perform, like say going up a steep hill, everything might just overheat and practically explode and shutdown. (likewise, what do you think would happen if you put a tractor trailer engine into your Honda Civic? You can't overpower a speaker either without similar consequences.)

Just like SPEED is not exactly equivalent to how much horsepower you have, volume isn't exactly proportionate to how much wattage you have. You may be able to obtain the same SPEEDS with the Honda Civic engine in your SUV, especially when on level or downhill grades, but it is going to be FAR less efficient and stable than if you had an engine with the proper horsepower. Likewise, no matter what volume you are at, the 400 watt amp that is properly matched to the speakers are going to be more efficient and produce a cleaner, more stable sound than they would if they are underpowered, plus you don't have to risk breaking any of the components for those "uphill" power spikes, like those that are COMMONLY associated with vocals (voice pops when pronouncing certain consonents, dropping the mic, higher notes that inherently carry shorter wavelengths and thus more energy, getting excited and screaming, etc.).

Hope that helps you understand. If possible, you need to return the amp you bought and get a 400x2 amp (needs to be this power at 8ohms!!). If you can not return the amp you bought, chances are the 200 watt x2 amp is bridgeable to 400 watts mono into 8 ohms, in which case you could use that amp for ONE of the speakers and buy another, identicle amp to power the other speaker.

If you have any questions on which amp to get, post and there are plenty of peeps who know their stuff that can help you!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL