Karaoke Forums

I'm now wanting to buy a mixer, speakers  and whatever else I need for my desktop computer karaoke music maybe in a package set-up.  Im using Karafun as my karaoke cdg player.  I want to eventually learn how to convert cdg to mp3+g with audio grabber, but for now help or links to sites with great prices and equipment..

Many Thanks to you all  :worship:

This is usually the first question you get when you ask that kind of question: What is your budget?

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Seize the day and SING!!!

eben:  probably around 500.00.  How do you hook up the mic and mixer to the computer

Thanks
Gayle

you take a cord from the line out of your sound card to a stereo channel on the mixer probably you are best to pay someone to show you how the first time bcause you will want them to show you how to then take a line out of your mixer to the line in of your soundcard so as you can record, this can be tricky
while the person is showing you how to set up colour code your cords so as you know what goes where in case you ever need to unplug and take it anywhere or do a pack down and set up
Come to think of it I should do that and then suggest my husband set up and sound check sometime instead of just rolling in on the night and getting the praise

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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."

Hi Morgan:  Do you have any suggestions for the speakers and mixers?  There are soooooooooooooo many to pick from!!

Thanks bunches and thanks for the audiograbber and encoder.  Im going to get to that part of my learning classes soon,, haha... But first I need a mixer to plug in my mic into and the correct speakers too.

I assume you are talking about for home use?

It is going to be tough to get two good speakers and a good mixer for $500. Most good speakers start at around $300 each and a decent mixer is going to run you at least $150. I also suspect that you will need an amp for the speakers, so at the minimum, a good mixing amp will run about $350. Add in cords and the such, and I think you are looking at closer to about $1000 for what I would consider the minimum of "good" equipment.

Now if you just want something small that you can hook up at home and use at lower volumes, it can be done much cheaper. Look into something like the Fender Passport system ($489):

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... 5-003.html

This is a 75 watt/side mixing amp with two small speakers. Not much power or bass response, but if you just want to hang around the living room with a few friends and sing karaoke, it is enough to get the job done. And it is very portable!!

I think that is the best you are going to get on a $500 budget. If you "find" more money to spend, let us know and we'll make some more suggestions, but I think that system is just about what most people on the board are going to recommend for under $500.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I will be in a room about 12X12. yes this is at home.  Will I beable to adjust reverb, eco and such?

thanks
gayle

First off, just FYI, reverb and echo are the same thing. Reverb is just a special type of echo.

Second, this system does not offer reverb/echo on the unit itself. Again, for under $500 you can't expect to get everything!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

ewwwwwwwww no reverb? I couldnt ever not have reverb I am the reverb queen...there are some mixers with lots of efx built in...but make sure you try before you buy (bit like men really) cos all mixers are not created equal as I discovered with the small crate system I bought. I would offer to sell it to ya but it would cost too much to ship

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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."

The real issue is that she wants to spend UNDER $500.00 ($673.00 NZD) for a mixer, speakers, and all cords. For that much $$$, she just isn't going to be able to afford many bells and whistles!!

Pink Bee,

There are some units under $500 WITH reverb as well, but none of them are going to sound as good as the Fender unit. If you want to check them out, though, here is a link:

http://www.americanmusical.com/sort--PA ... _1001.html

The Squier is a decent little unit with a reverb, but again, it isn't going to sound nearly as good as the fender unit.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

For under $500, you can't expect a whole lot.  I personally don't care for that Fender Passport system.  They don't have a very good tone (Maybe the Bose designed speakers would sound a little better but not worth the extra cost).  I just heard one the other day at a mobile radio demo & there was no high's or lows - even though the eq was adjusted for more highs & lows, the sound was just - blah.
For $300, you could get
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... CK620.html
We already have 1 or 2 users that are completely happy with it for home only use.  They bought better cords & mics for it however - even which would fit your budget.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Hi everyone and thanks for your inputs!!  I probably could come up with $700 and get something better.  Sounds like Im going to have too.  Is fender the brand thats most suggested on here?  For $200 - $300 more I want it to sound good and I have to have the reverb!!  I am like Morgan  a huge reverb fan.  It anything else the reverb on the mixer would be my first pick as most wanted.

Thanks everyone

For $400, you could get this.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=636503
A little more powerful amp, better effects - reverb included  :yes: with all the cords & mics.  Try it out with what it comes with first then if needed, you could always upgrade to a couple of better mics & better cords for about $150-200 more & you are good to go.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Gayle,

   An assumption we are making of course is that you live in the continental US.  Is this correct ?   This matters in terms of shipping from certain companies, and can restrict your options assuming you do/don't live in certain locations (if not in terms of availability, how impractical S&H might end up to certain locations).  I looked at your previous posts, and don't recall seeing you listing your location.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Steven:  Hi, I have my city posted now so maybe you can offer your suggestions.

Lonman & TopherM:  Thanks for your suggestions!!!!

Thank you
Gayle  :yes:

Heh yea that would be moi... your room is about the same size as mine... since I live in a townhouse area.. it's actually NOT a good idea for me to be blasting my speakers anyways.. but at about half way up on each channel for mics and music... it's just right.  

But as Lonman suggested.. even if your budget IS around 700 bucks... you have to think about the mics/cords.  honestly I have not seen one PA package with a respectable mic in the price range i've bothered to look at ($300-600)  Most likely before you purchase your pA for 600 or 700 bucks... make sure you research items such as speaker wires/mic wires/ mics and if you go digital.. computer software etc.

[highlight=darkblue]Phil: [/highlight]  I have a mic.  If you can, look on my profile and see a picture I put on there of the way it looks.  It plugs into  a amp or what ever.  I dont know what size it is. Can you tell by the picture?  I really like the mic.  I have use it before. I am still learning whats what with all this equipment.  I bought the mic years back at a second had store.

With your experience of equipment and you say you sing in a small room, what do you like?  I will be using my desktop computer and I have Karafun software downloaded on my computer  to play the cdg I have.  

Thanks bunches
Gayle[shadow=midnightblue][/shadow]

That is a mic with a 1/4" cord ending.

In a proper PA setup, it would plug into the mixer portion of the system. HOWEVER, most good mics plug via XLR connections, and so some PA equipment only allows you to plug mics via XLR connections. Not to rag on your mic, but a 1/4" connector is usually a sign of a low quality mic.

Once you settle on which PA system you are going to buy, let us know and we can tell you if you will be able to hook that mic up via the 1/4" or if you'll need to get an XLR adapter.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Do you have the specific model of your mic?  Anyways you will most likely NEED more than 1 mic.  Like I said I use the Phonic powerpod... and as Lonman suggested there is the powerpod 720 which generates more power etc... I mean yes it's def good to have MORE power if you have the means to get it... all expenses should be justify by the way you use it.  For me I'll NEVER be using the PA outside... or traveling with it so it suits me just fine.  

Sure my powerpod 620 was only 300 bucks... but after purchasing a pair of speaker cables, mics, mic cables, mini to 1/4 cable, heck i even bought speaker stands.. those items ran me about 250 bucks.  

I just think at your room size (if you never intend to use it at a bigger venue) you should concentrate on QUALITY of the sound... IE soundcard, cables, etc, rather then how LOUD you can get it... (unless you have lots of space around you and your neighbors)

BTW if you're karaoking with your friends most of the time.. unless you want to be actually KJ ing while they sing... it's probably a good idea to get mics with an on and off switch.  Just when you pass it around/ or when you're eating with your freinds, you dont' ahve to keep going back to the amp to mute the mics etc.  I was not so thoughtful on that part.. and it always feels weird that whent he mics aren't being used and they're sitting ont he table/floor they're always ON unless I get my lazy self over to the amp and mute it.