Karaoke Forums

I'm looking to buy a mixer for my home karaoke system but I'm at a loss as to what to buy.  My budget ranges from $100-$400.  I'm looking to buy something that is a little bit more professional and that it'll last me for a while.  (You get what you pay for, right?!)

My system currently consists of a Pioneer DVD V630 and two floorstanding Polk Audio 50 speakers.  

What is the difference between a digital vs. analog mixer and which one should I buy?

As for powered mixers, what would be the advantage of getting that as oppose to a regular mixer?

I've searched the forum and what appears to be populer mixer brands are:

Mackie, Beringer, Yamaha, and Peavey.  Are there any other good brands other than these?  Which of these brands do you think stands out the most in terms of quality and performance?  And of these, which models should I look into buying?

If there are any other issues I haven't addressed, please advise.

For home i'd recommend the Mackie DFX series.  Good solid board & easy to use.  However, I would seriously recommend getting a different set of speakers.  Home speakers aren't designed to withstand the abuse of live vocals.

Powered boards you would only need if you don't have any other source of amplification or you want a completely separate karaoke set-up, if you are planning on using your home receiver, you don't need to go with a powered board.

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What kind of speakers would you recommend then?  I think they sound pretty good but I'm not a techie when it comes to audio equipment.

On a side note, I should have mentioned that, right now, when I sing karaoke, the vocals sound separated from the music.  They're not well blended.  Would a mixer resolve this problem?  Or should I be looking at equalizers?  If I'm correct, mixers usually have built-in equalizers. Right?

I've been very happy with my two Behringers....They include lots of pro features at a great price....Look at the 1222FXPRO as a possible choice for home use.

Home speakers will do well if properly amped and processed....For processing, use a quality compressor to limit the extremes the vocals might toss at them.

Most often the problems of using home speakers is traced to the fact the dude also decided to use his home amp to power them....Home amps aren't properly matched to pro mix boards....Pro mix board outputs don't interface properly with consumer grade amp inputs.....So always use pro grade amps downstream of the mixer....You can attach any properly matched speaker cab then....By properly matched, I mean that the speaker power handling and Ohms ratings is properly matched to the power amp.

Home speakers are great in that they will handle extended freq ranges over pro cabs, but they must be protected from overexcursion and the effects of uncompressed "live" vocals.....Just remember that home speakers are designed to play back broadcast and prerecorded music...that kinda program material is always higly processed and compressed where "Live" stuff is much more dynamic and can exceed the limits of home style speakers.

So if you plan to go semi-pro at home, then buy both a pro mixer and a pro amp.....Stop there till you can afford pro cabs.

.......Also, if you have a home grade EQ, then leave it out of your system completely...It will never work in a pro grade signal chain.

I couldn't disagree more, Keith.

Home speakers are not normally set up for live mic or live voice... and can't handle the imperfections of normal singing. over time you'll distort and eventually destroy your speakers pushing them beyond ranges they aren't built for!

That's why I stated he must use a compressor on his mics if using home cabs.

gotcha...

I wouldn't want to keep buying equipment, however, just to use "home" equipment.

I bought specific speakers for live mic, and use THEM for home stereo! !

Is this why my speakers have this humming buzzing sound in them all the
time now.  :(  I have to listen to things with my headphones on. Aw man
i blew my speakers to my puter. Darn the luck,  :)