Karaoke Forums

Ok, so im starting to do my research on individual components to build out my Karaoke setup.

Starting with a mixer Lonman has suggested a Mackie CFX12, does anyone else have any input on mixers?

Thanks,

~Lazer

Yep,

Stay totally away from all powered mixers.

....Oh, and Behringers....I've had 3 Behringers fail in 3 years just out of warranty.

I love my mackie-cfx-12,(purchased by recommendation of lonman). I upgraded from a mackie-dfx-6, which is also a good board, to the cfx because it has midrange eq adjustments on the vocal strips. I use 2 separate monitor mixes from the aux sends,I use 4 speakers on stands next to 4 main mix speakers for 1 monitor mix,90%vocals 10%music,and 2 mackie-srm450s on the floor for another monitor mix the same way. The vocals cut through the mix nicely. This board also has good effects built in. In my opinion it is the perfect all around mixer for karaoke.

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Man Must Know His Limitations -Clint Eastwood

I use a Fender Power Mixer that I purchased in 2001 and I have never had any problems with it. It also sounds great.

I currently use a Behringer 1222FX - great price and great features. It's about 1/3rd the cost of the Mackie and for me a great unit without any problems so far.
I think you really need to define a budget for your complete set up and go from there.    You can spend $600 on a mixer and if you hook it up to a $100 amp and $200 speakers you may not get the benefit of the mixer.

I have also used various POWERED mixers in the past and found them to be great for certain venues so I would not discount them.

What is your budget and other component choices?

Hey Keith welcome back , Just wondering why dont you like powered mixers ?

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

The Mackie CFX.mII is an ok board for karaoke. I was rather disappointed in the EMAC effect bit, hype in my opinion. I also didn't like all the routing that has to be done with this board. the CFX doesn't send the signal to the channels main outs like other mixers do. There is no L-R assign buttons. Everything has to go through the subs, then you have to pan them..yuk. Just a long about way of achieving the same end result. I never got a good reverb mix to my outbound monitors, even with a Mackie Tech's assistance over the phone. Can't stand the rude light, and i found myself mixing more then i should have needed to. Didn't take my CFXmII long to find it's way back to Musicians Friend in a hurry. Other then that............

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

I'm looking at around 5k for equipment. You have any speaker preferences?

Do you have another mixer suggestion?

I have the CFX12 as well (going on 4 years now) upgraded from the DFX12, don't know what he's talking about, it's a great board & the effects are far better than anything than most mixers with built in effects.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

What did you think of spending on just the mixer? that would help in any suggestions i might make....kinda scared to make a suggestion.....



Read the owners manual....different strokes for different folks. I didn't like the effects, that simple, what part of that is hard to understand? He asked about this board, i gave my opinion, just as you did yours. Thank You

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Read the manual?  How is that going to help, I think the effects sound great, not as good as my TC Helicon processor, but much better than anything else in it's class of built in's.  Would recommend this mixer to anyone for karaoke, blows any Behringer out of the water!  I know I bought mine upon recommendations from here & never regretted the decision.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Lazar....pop on this thread, go about half way down it till you come to my post with the picture of my mixer on it. This is the Peavey  FX-16 Mixer i am currently using. This is a great mixer, if you have been working sound awhile. The FX-16 can be a little intimidating at first. And like a lot of pro sound gear, the manual could be better. But there are other peavey mixers with a more simpler layout that may work for you as well. I have own many Peavey guitar, and pedal steel amps made by peavey over the years. They are there when you need them, and they answer questions and work with you. A great company.

http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10535

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Heres a spare mixer i have. This mixer is excellent. I use it once in a while, just for the fun of it.

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Thanks Sweetcheeks,

I don't like powered mixers cause none offer it all....They always end up short on either features, power or flexibility.....If a KJ could find one that truely could support him as he expanded over the years it would cost 2K or better and be big as a large  suitcase.

A quality mixer with just the right features will work with any size or number of amps and speakers no matter how big or small you go and no matter how complex you end up with additional outboard gear.

Been awhile since I've posted any comments. This one got my attention. I realize that some people like those HUGE boards with all the fixin's, but there's not alot more that they can do with those that I can't do with my tried and true Gemini KM 707 mixer. Can't get them anymore ( I have three I like them so much ) but it has all the " bells & whistles " that any DJ or KJ could want, including effects, surround, echo, reverb, digital key changer, 3 mic capability, all that stuff. I like to mix "vintage" and newer equipment together. It's really a sweet sound when the two mesh. Plus, ya still can't beat the old stuff for durability, performance, and kick butt sound. Just musing a little. that was my two cents.

                                   Donny B

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It's a wonderful life!!

Lazer: there are MANY quality mixers out there from MANY quality companies and though i use and own a mackie-cfx-12 it is by no means the only game in town.That peavey-fx-16 looks like a mighty fine unit from a company that has been in business a long time. I know many on this forum that are partial to their speakers, but I love my yamaha club series speakers, they sound fantastic as long as your amplifier can drive them effectively, the yamaha mg series are also good mixers worthy of a look.Carvin also makes alot of quality pro audio equipment. I purchased one of their dcm-2570 amplifiers (per a recommendation on this forum) and couldn't be happier, but then again there are many quality amps made also from different companies. If you hang around this forum long enough you will learn alot and get a hundred different opinions about any given topic, just like anything else in life.

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Man Must Know His Limitations -Clint Eastwood

Lazer:  I would reccomend for an all around great speaker the YAMAHA SV15v club series. They run about $329 each and I doubt you will find anyone to say a negative thing about them.  There are similar models from Peavey and JBL. But the Yamaha is a great balance of price quality size/weight and dependability.

Speakers are worth the extra $$$$  trust me !

EVERYONE AGREE ?

Just some more $.02.  When putting together your KJ system - keep it simple
I know many on this board are VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE and either come from a pro sound background or live bands etc etc.  But personally I would say that more than 80% of the KJ's were singers 1st and or DJ's.   If your like most and looking to host a KJ show in a medium sized bar gig.  You should be able to put together a system using a Yamaha POwered Mixer , some club speakers and a few Shure mics.

I can't argue that  a $700 Mackie 20 channel mixer is not worth the money hooked up to all kinds of eq's gidgets and gadgets.  It's a KILLER SYSTEM I'm sure for those who have and use these.  But for a NEWBIE and most it is a definite OVERKILL for a good sounding karaoke system.  :talk:  :talk:  :talk:

If all you ever plan to use your mixer for, is strickly your karaoke show, then a straight upfront, simple mixer is just dandy. If you ever plan on using it to record your show, or record your vocal practice, or provide sound for any other type of event ever. Then it's like anything else, think ahead so you don't short change yourself. Good luck in finding the gear that best suits your needs.

I have found the reason most people "Upgrade" their mixer, is not necessarily the sound, but the lack of features on the mixer........

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........