Karaoke Forums

Hi,

I am new to public singing and I would love to be able to practice singing in my home with a home karaoke machine.  I need one that plays cd track, has 2 mic jacks, and records the combo of the cd music and my voice onto a cassette.  I am looking for the best quality one I can get for under $300.  I have tried a Memorex MKS5900 and am now returning my 3rd one.  They have a lot of problems with the dual cassette decks.  Please help - I am getting very frustrated!  Thank you.

have you seen the models at karaoke.com?

basically, you get what you pay for, though!

If you already have a separate cassette deck, you might do well to purchase a standalone player like the single tray RSQ-505 or 405.  If you have an audio system hooked up to your TV, you can probably integrate the karaoke player and cassette recorder and have a decent setup, I would think.   From what I gather, many of the all-in-one home units don't hold up well, and I don't think the higher-end ones are really worth their cost.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

I agree!  This is how the whole Karaoke can of worms started for me.  The single tray JVC RSQ can be found for under $300 (down to $180 on eBay).  You can get an acceptable microphone at Radio Shack for around $40.  I say acceptable with the widest of guidelines.  You can get a basic Behringer mixer for under $50 to pre-amp your mikes and give you better control of the volume level.

You'll need $50 to $100 in cables, hum isolators, and converters to make it work 100% right.  You can then tie in through the tape out on the small Behringer mixer to the tape in on your existing deck - playback is through the tape monitor feature on your existing deck and home stereo.  DO NOT GO OUT OF YOUR MAINS ON THE MIXER IF YOU LIKE YOUR STEREO.

Others will really poo-poo this arrangement due to the impact on your home stereo.  I sure wouldn't rock the place with that set up but you did say under $300.

RSQ-PLC222 by JVC - $180.00
Behringer UB1002 10 channel Mixer - $59.00
Radio Shack Pro-Unidirectional Dynamic Catalog Number 33-3001:  $49.99

$288.99

For ten more dollars you can get a Shure PG58-XLR with 15 foot cable microphone.  IMHO, for the extra $10 - VASTLY better than the Radio Shack indicated above.

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Despite the internet rumor, Karaoke is not Japanese for "drunk buffoon with microphone."  However, "rotation," is Japanese for wait your damn turn!

Hi,

Thank you for your response.  I just looked at karaoke.com - I can't believe I haven't seen that website after all of my internet searching thus far.  What do you think about the CAVS DVD303G that is on their site?

Thanks.

Hi,

Thank you for your response.  I do not have a stereo cassette player, so that is why I thought I would look into the all-in-one type machines.  I have searched for some sort of reviews on these types of machines, but have been unsuccessful in finding any.  I am mainly wanting to use the machine just to practice my singing for church solos so that I am able to record and critique myself.  Also, I want the unit to be portable.  Let me know if you have any other ideas for me.

Thank you.

I have a smaller version of that "karaoketv" player (regular $159, their price, $139, on sale now for $97) without the tv screen... and it's a pretty good one. I like the concept of the cassette player/recorder... (in fact, I used it recently to play cassettes off of when I recorded stuff to digitial format, and I'm in the middle of converting that digital format to a cd)... anyway, for simplistic purposes, it's fine. Won't win any awards, but it has an audio out and video out where you can pipe the audio to an AUX setting on a home stereo or mixer, and the video can go to a tv or something similar!

As for the CAVS dvd303g, there are two ways to buy that there... buy itself for $349, and as a kit package with carrying case and microphones and two song packages for $377! If I were to get it, I'd get the latter system.

However, more and more companies are abandoning the CAVS format. AND I hate personally dealing with a proprietary system... only THEIR way of doing something. With fewer and few manufacturers no longer supporting cavs (not many did in the first place, at least not legally)... so all you have is a fancy dvd / cdg player with a cassette... If I were to just play cdgs and cassette, i'd go with that karaoketv system.

My opinion only.

Hi
I have the RSQ 505G.  I haven't had any trouble with it and I've had it for a couple of years.  I got it at Acekaraoke my sister has CAVS.  It has been good for her too.
I did see wireless mics at Target for $19.99, I don't know how good they are, I already have one.  I also have a Optimus all in one from radio shack, the problem with it is the cd player sometimes won't play the disk, but the sound was good.

....

Hi Again,

I am still searching for a good home portable karaoke machine.  Does anyone have any comments about the VocoPro Duet II?  How is the sound quality? If you have recorded yourself singing on it, did it come out pretty clear for a tape?

Thanks again!

Hiya Singer - you know, the word you used - "best" - is quite a versitle little word. It can mean many different things. Dictionary.com presents more than 20 different definitions for this itty bitty word. Therefore, I am not certain of which meaning you intended the word "best" to represent. My favorite definition is "Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable:". In other words, what serves your desired purpose. Is it the one with the most gadjets ... the most knobs ... the most features ... the best sound ... the easiest iterface ... the biggest speakers ... the most sophisticated electronic circuitry ... and I could go on for about a kazillion words persuing this thought.

In essence, you must decide for yourself what qualities you want in a kareoke machine, and weigh those qualities against the price. Do your research, and you may indeed find your most precious jewel.

most people have a negative opinion of vocopro... they package themselves as a quality product, and it appears that their customer service is good... but I hear a LOT of grumblings about it.

Just do a search on Vocopro on the net, and read reviews!