Karaoke Forums

Okay I'm checking into getting a power amp and mixer instead of using a powered mixer. I like Lonman's seggestion to get the Crown XLS 602 power amp.

But I have never used one of these seperate mixers. I'm looking at the picture of the
Mackie CFX12 mixer. It appears I can only hook up one player.

I'd like to hook up my Cavs unit and a seperate player. It would be nice to fade into music. I might be misunderstanding what gets hooked up where, but I only see one input for a player on this mixer.

I'm open to more mixer suggestions - Thanks

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

It has 2 stereo channels in 9/10 and 11/12, which can be use (and is a better way) to hook up the your players.

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

You can also use the tape inputs.....Which happen to be RCA jacks that will match your player outs.

So you really have 3 stereo inputs with that mixer.

Make sure to look at the Behringer UB1222FX-PRO for $179.....It will do all the Mackie does and more, for less $$.

It has a built in voice cancel switch that works really well. To use it, you connect the player to the CD input with RCA cables and then you can cancel voice on regular CD's and it also has a seperate slider just for CD input....And a separate slider also for you monitor speaker/speakers....And a separate slider for FX.

Good luck with your new gear!

I know to use the tap inputs thats how I hook up now to my power mixer.
I'm going to take a look at the mixer you suggested also.

What kind of cord do I use to hook up to the stereo channels? I'm not formiliar with doing it this way.  Here goes my obvious lack of knowledge. My out puts on my cd player are the small holes like the tape out put and in put on the mixer. Is there an adapter I use?

Another dumb question - I'm assuming I use the video straight from the Cavs unit
that it doesn't need to go through the mixer, correct?

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Yes, they (radio shack) sell adapters.....But you won't need them if you patch into the tape input of the mixer...The tape input uses RCA jacks just like on the back of any player.....Don't buy an expensive RCA patch cable either, just any cheap one will work fine there.

If you instead patch the player into a stereo input strip, then you need to buy 2 simple RCA to 1/4" phone plug adapters from radio shack....You stick the 1/4" adapters on the mixer end of the cables and then plug them into the mixer.....Same. same, either way you go and it won't hurt the sound.

Okay now I'm catching on. I will be using the tape in puts too. I have 2 players and most mixers only have one tape in put.

Now was I right about the video out? It does not go through the mixer at all, but straight from my players to the tvs.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Yep, you are correct on both counts.....usually only one tape in per mixer.

And yep, you simply run the video from the player to the TV while bypassing the mixer....All you might need is a RF modulator...But something tells me you already have one if you are playing karaoke already with a powered mixer and a player.

Badsinger is absolutely correct.  The best way to run music into the Mackie CFX12 is through the stereo line-ins (9/10 and 11/12).  When you use, for example, 9/10 for your music channel you can now EQ the music using the 4 band EQ.  You CAN use the tape input for your music, but remember you now have NO individual EQ control over the music.  At least the CFX12 has a level knob for the tape input (some mixers I've seen do not).  I consider the ability to individually EQ the music absolutely essential to getting good sound at a karaoke show.  The main reason for this is that there are so many brands of karaoke discs in use and so many differences in quality and overall mixing.  Some tracks have lots of bass, some tracks have too much treble (some DK tracks are classic for having too many "highs").  

Babs, if you ever want to add an additional CDG player to your setup there's very simple way to do this.  You purchase an audio/video switcher box.  You then connect your CAVS JB199 to the box and then the other player. The audio output of the A/V switcher is then connected to 9/10 on the CFX12.  You switch between the two players with the switcher box and your video is also switched as well. With this setup you could still leave 11/12 for your "bumper" music.  

If it was me, I'd definately spend the extra money on the Mackie CFX12.  Mackie makes a GREAT mixer that will last a LONG time.

Thanks for asking Babs, I have been looking at the same, to add a seperate mixer.  I am currently using a Peavey XR-600 powered mixer/amp driving a pair of Peavey 8ohm 1012's, and a Peavey 4ohm 1015 filtered sub.

So, until I can afford to get both a new mixer and seperate amp, what would be the best way to connect up a new mixer like one of the two discussed here into my existing amp?  (kinda defeats the purpose of the powered mixer/amp, I know, but gotta start upgrading somewhere...)

I was figuring on going with a new mixer first, and when $$$ allows, to then upgrade and get a new amp.  I figure the speakers are good for a couple of upgrades.

The tape input on the CFX12 is used as an intermission input. There is a break switch the when pressed allows feed via the tape input. All other inputs are muted. This is not a mix input. Use chanels 9/10 & 11/12 for audio inputs from players.

I've never had the need to EQ prerecorded music at the mixer....Maybe later in the signal chain before the amps....Anyway,

The Behringer UB1222FX-PRO offers 4 stereo inputs plus the cd/tape input....Compared to the Mackie 2 stereo plus CD/Tape inputs.

And all strip inputs on the Behringer have EQ including the 4 stereo strips.

[quote="Keith01 @ Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:28 am"]I've never had the need to EQ prerecorded music at the mixer....Maybe later in the signal chain before the amps....Anyway,

quote]

Almost a must for me. Doing it at a latter stage will affect the vox too.

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I would suggest a Yamaha MG 16/4 mixer. SLightler hier in price than a Behringer and  less expensive than a Mackie. The mic preamps are much better than both the Mackie and The Behringer.

I do not suggest using tape input on any mixer as it will give you no gain or eq control on the channel. I run 4 stereo inputs on my yamaha mixer. Along with 4 micophone channels and 2 effects returned on main channels and have 2 channels to spare.

A Yamaha MG 16/4 does not have DSP effect which is needed unless you already have an outboard efx unit. I personaly use MG16/6fx which have an onboard efx for the vox. But for karaoke the new MG12/4fx will have enough channel strips and stereo input

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

[quote=

Babs, if you ever want to add an additional CDG player to your setup there's very simple way to do this.  You purchase an audio/video switcher box.  You then connect your CAVS JB199 to the box and then the other player. The audio output of the A/V switcher is then connected to 9/10 on the CFX12.  You switch between the two players with the switcher box and your video is also switched as well. With this setup you could still leave 11/12 for your "bumper" music.  
.[/quote]

I have tried using a switcher and was unsuccessful. I hooked it up to my Cavs JB 199 and a Cavs 103 player ( which is an aweful player by the way) into my powered mixer. I thought I would be able to switch back and forth easily. It may be that the player is just poor quality, but I had no success.

If I play music now it is through a plextor hooked to my Cavs JB 199. A very poor way of doing things, but I am limited until I get a mixer that is seperate from my power amp.

*******Now I am confused how a RF modulator fits in to the equation. What do I need this for?********

This is my plan as of right now -the crown power amp and possibly the Mackie mixer. I'm thinking I will use 9/10 line in for my Cavs JB 199 and the 11/12 line in for a CD,CDG player. I so seldom have someone come in with a disc I thought if it did happen I would just unplug the video line and manually put it into the player. I mainly would like the player to play dance music. *****Is this a good plan?*****

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

With your current set up you can hook up your player direct to your power mixer if you have 2 spare  mono channels thru line in.

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I do have 2 spare mono channels. Okay here we go again.

Do I just put 2 1/4 jack adapters on and plug one into each mono channel?

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

depending on where you order the mackie from, most sites also have the mackie .pdf help files, which physically show you how to hook up multiple devices!

I did this before I bought MY mackie dfx12.

the RF Modulator is only if you're going to convert the RCA video into COAX. With most setups to a tv that's 5 years old or newer, they usually have the yellow video RCA input.

You can use tape inputs, however you get no eq control by doing so.  On the CFX12, channel 9/10 & 11/12 are stereo channels (2 independent inputs on 1 fader), you hook both left & right channel into 1 fader & it controls both channels via 1 fader.  Only special cord you'd need is 2 RCA - 1/4" cords, no special adapters or Y connectors.  This allows you to be able to eq the music & send to a monitor & add effects if you want.  Hooking through the tape input, you have no control except volume only.

If you are doing 2 players, then you'd hook 1 player to the 9/10 channel & another player to the 11/12 channel.  For the video, you will need an RCA switch box (available at Rat Shack).  Both players video will go into the switchbox first, then the output of the switchbox will go to the TV, or RCA splitter or RF converter (if needed).

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

Thanks Lonman - That is exactly what I needed to know. I think I have all angles covered now -

Thank you all for your help.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]