Karaoke Forums

Hello guys... I've been visiting this forum and have gathered alot of infos. As you can see, I'm new in forum and needs some good advice to complete my gear. What I'm trying to accomplish is for small to medium sized venues and wants to pack it light and sound good (I'm an SQ nut).

Here's what I have so far and would love to hear some comments and advice...

x2 RCF ART 722A - http://www.rcf.it/en_US/web/rcf/product ... /art-722-a
x1 YAMAHA MG124CX - http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Con ... TID=227900
x4 EV PL80a (dynamic) - http://www.electrovoice.com/products/769.html
x2 EV PL84 (condenser) - http://www.electrovoice.com/products/771.html
EWI cables (mic/xlr) - http://audiopile.net/products/Mic_Instr ... heet.shtml

Should I go and get the matching RCF subs? A single sub or double? Do you guys think the MG124CX is too much mixer for what I was intending? How about lighting... do I really need one? Also, as you can see I have both dynamic and condenser mics... should I go with the PL84 or the PL80a?
Any advice, recommendations and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx in advance

Decent speakers. Decent mixer - not overkill at all. Subs would make a very noticeable difference in sound quality - you could start with one for most rooms. I would pass on the EV mics personally, I don't care for the sound of them, kind of bright - Shure SM58's would be my main choice. I also wouldn't use condensor mics as they are more sensative to breaking over a more rugged dynamic.
Stage lighting is a nice feature to offer, it makes a singer feel more like they are an entertainer rather than standing on the floor in the corner of a bar.

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Should I go for a 12" or 15" sub?
http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/RCF-ART90 ... 905-as.htm
http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/RCF-ART90 ... 902-as.htm

I did audition both the SM58 and PL80a. The SM58 still holds true of being the standard but the PL80a is rather more lively and EQ friendly than the SM58.
Here's a short PL80a clip: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/ThEvil0nE/?action=view&current=MOV01901.flv
Very good point on the light... I think I'll go with lights. Can you recommend a good single light fixture?

Thanks

The other thing about the PL80a is that it is a supercardioid, which is not that tolerant of poor mic positioning. I like the cardioid pattern of the SM58, the Sennheiser E835, or Audix OM2. I like the sound of all those mics, but chose the SM58 as my main karaoke mic because it is cheap to replace the grilles in case of denting.

The PL84 you mention is a cardioid pattern, but as a condenser I wonder if it would be rugged enough for karaoke.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

for a single light fixture I would say a Colorstrip, or a pair of colorstrip mini's. Useful as a wash light, you can control the colors plus the chase sequences are quite good.

I suggest subs at least one to start. I would go with 15"

I suggest you add wireless mics, I know I hate singing with a wired mic.

The colorstrip is a cool idea or use 2 color pallets.

You might want to pick up the new drive rack for powered speakers.

All your posts should have a disclaimer*:

* I assume in all posts that you have a budget in excess of $10,000

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

If the OP is looking at RCF gear, perhaps he does.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

I will add this, my personal experience using PL80's in a live situation was less than favorable, especially when mixed with other brands like the Shure's. They EQ'd entirely differently which became a bit of a headache especially for feedback reasons. If your going to use all PL80's this might not be an issue. My personal preference is the Beta 58's which are very rider friendly.
Your selection of RCF says you really care about your sound and that price may not be your primary concern, for that reason I would suggest you give the Allen Heath boards a listen to, a definite step up from the Yamaha's.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

Is the OP interested in that Yamaha mixer because it includes the Yamaha one-knob compression? I'm not a fan of that feature but it's better than none. If they choose a different mixer (A&H MixWiz or whatever) an outboard compressor would be a good addition. Behringer MDX4600 or a similar dbx unit. Compression is great for karaoke since you go from screamers to whisperers, and often the singers will change their own use of the mic from one moment to the next.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

The 722A does cost higher but I do think they justify the price point very well. Buy once upgrade in 5 to 10 yrs later.
Fit snugly on my crv btw http://img526.imageshack.us/i/dsc01881e.jpg/

As with the lights... I'm looking at Chauvet Kinta X. Has anyone used them?

I think they would fit in the back of my mini van even better.

The Kitna is alright, I'm kind of partial to the American DJ Tri Phase myself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DW6echl1Ko

You are probably going to want a few regular colored lights, par cans or color washes and some type of special, like your Kitna or perhaps the Tri Phase or something along that line. It has been my experience that a moon flower (like the tri phase or tri gem ) effect coming from the rear of the stage facing the crowd is a nice effect.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

previous poster asks about Chauvet Kinta X..

I have and use the origonal Kinta but for dance floor action only, the color strips and palattes recommended to the OP are wash lights that also have some sound active chases built in which replace the traditional par cans used for lighting a singer or stage lighting. The Kinta is a good light but i tend to stay away from lights like that just for karaoke singers, it can be pretty distracting. If you are looking for a Kinta like light consider a pair of Chauvet Swarms or ADJ Tri-Phases.

I would opt for the 15" myself on the sub.
I have to disagree with the mics still - but will leave it at that.
Lights I would go with standard PAR can type for stage. If you get a system like
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Lighting-St ... 1155722.gc
you will be able to set color scenes, chase patterns & tap lights. Nice system.
Or you can go with a smaller more basic
http://www.pssl.com/American-DJ-STAGEAC ... ing-System
Not programmable like the first, basically on/off & a chase mode.
You do not want to use bright flashing dance floor type lights on stage that will aim toward the singer - very irratating when it flashes in their eyes while they are trying to read. These are designed more for dance floors and special effect lighting for LARGE stage set-ups.

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

When buying lights, keep in mind there is a long-term cost savings with LEDs. You don't have to replace bulbs. They do cost significantly more up front.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Yes, I guess it'll be all PL80a's.
I was actually looking at the A&H ZED12FX and the Soundcraft EFX8 and are still considering both as upgrades. The only reason I have the MG was it cost me nothing, it was given to me by a bandmate... other than that, it is rather a very capable throw-away type of mixer for it's purpose.

Funny as it seems... the one-knobber do work If I would soon upgrade my mixer... a decent compressor would also be on the list.

As for the lighting...
@rich b: you might be on to something... a strip wash light just might do the trick.
@lyquiddye: The 15" sub would be my best bet too. As for the wireless MICs, probably later I've had my way thru a driverack and would be a nice addition but since I want to pack light and less, I guess I'll be just fine without it.
@LondonLive: putting the Kinta aside... what's your opinion on wash lights?
@jeffsw6: would definitely go with LED... thanks
@Lonman: I'm more looking into a single lighting source. Right now, I'm looking at the Colordash Batten...


Thanks

I think you are going to like that mixer. Set it to karaoke and play with it a little. Works great and we get so many compliments on our sound - even with our Nady wireless mics.

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Kevin

yup I thought they sounded very good too FWIW I did went to do a quick test here: http://download352.filefront.com/y5losx ... V01901.MP4

Thanks

I auditioned the EV PL80 and Shure SM58 last weekend as I was looking for mics to replace or complement my PG58's.

Both mics were plugged into a mixer and tested with the eq's flat and no effects. The PL80's sound was brighter and clearer compared to the SM58 and my wife, the salesman and myself liked it better.

We tried the feedback test on both mics by pointing the rear of the mics at the speaker. As expected of a supercardioid, the PL80 howled while the SM58 kept quiet. Still I was inclined to get the PL80 as it would be easy just to position the speakers.

The thing that disappointed me with the PL80 is the handling noise. A little movement of the fingers and the cable movements are amplified. This is the primary reason why I wanted to replace my PG58s as not all singers want to use mic stands.

Deciding on the "lesser evil", I got the SM58. Anyway, the brightness, etc can be adjusted using the eq's on my mixer. If only the EV had no handling noise, it would have been hands down my choice.

Another choice of mine was also the Sennheiser e835, however, it is very overpriced in my country.

I don't mean to sound like a prude, but I just happened to visit a local karaoke pub on Saturday, and was overwhelmed by the nice speakers, sub on the floor, big screen TV for the karaoke graphics, all was good accept for the simple things.

1) the guy had no EFFECTS on the mics whatsoever. I mean, just a little reverb or delay or even a compressor if available would have put a smile on my face.

2) Guy liked to show off his volume by cranking the volume in a small pub not even a 40x40 room. Lower volumes go a long way.

3) for all those "MID" crazy EQ nuts... turn that junk down. Mids should never pass 12:oclock ever especially in a small pub where the volume is directly "IN YOUR FACE"

Sometimes the best of gear can get the "Best of you" when it comes to karaoke so focus less on gear and more on good sound and light effects on the mics.

Cheers!!