Karaoke Forums

Looking to purchase new powered mixer to replace one that died last night. I'm Looking at the Mackie 806S or 806M for portability. There is about $100 that separates them.

My question is are there any advantages to Stereo for Karaoke vs Mono?

I also do some DJ work is there an advantage to Stereo for DJing as well?

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I always run mono for most (99%) clubs.  Even running live sound for bands, unless the speakers are in a position for EVERYONE to hear & benefit from the stereo signal (which is rare) there is no point.  Most cdgs are recorded in stereo, but in a large room, (again unless speakers are placed where everyone can benefit) one side of the room is going to hear one side while the other will hear the other side.  Neither side will get a complete blend of both channels.  Some discs - a couple Van Halen songs come to mind - are recorded like the original recording with the guitars in 1 channel only, bass, drums & b/u vox in both.  So one side would hear the guitars, while the other side would not.
There are occasions where stereo would benefit - but again, if speaker placement permits.  Both model Mackies are good, if you think you'll NEED the stereo down the road - home parties stereo works - then opt for the S model, otherwise the M model will work fine.

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

Thanks Lonman!

My yorkville DJM 806 finally gave up the ghost last night after 8 years of service. It started with some static problems in the right channel, then started getting clipping on R channel and the overall main volume reduced dramatically, then by 1am it just flat quit (as in shut off)

This unit had both mono and stereo outputs but I could never really tell the difference.

Mono will probably work just fine!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

i completely agree with lonman on this matter as far as needs, but if i'm going to spend the money on a good mixer, what's $100 more for stereo?  you never know when you might actually be able to use it.

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All work and no play make Homer something something

Most mixers are gonna support stereo outputs now a days, so buy whatever fits your requirements and budget.

I agree with Lonman completely about mono for gigs....Mono also alows you lots more flex in how you can configure your amps and effects. For instance, you can use only one dual 31 band EQ for both monitors and mains if you go mono....
And same for any dual channel processor or outboard FX.

Not only does mono provide better coverage to ALL audience members, it actually costs less because you can run a smaller amp bridged and get the power you need to run your mains and subs....Subs should always be run mono anyway.

I run stereo at the house cause it's a fixed install, but if it was a gig, I would go mono fersure.

But don't restrict yourself when shopping powered mixers by looking only at mono mixers....You can always run mono on a stereo mixer, but not the opposite....Buy for the features you need at the price you can afford...If what you select can do stereo, then you have that ability when you want it.

The  sound Choice discs are strero, why wouldn't you.

I would suggest moving to a seperate mixer and amplifier.

It's better to replace a componet when something goes bad. The mixer and amplifer seperate are less of a cost to take on. That I find it's very easy to carry 1 Mixer and 2 amps should something go wrong, I have yet to have any mixer problems but one amp problem makes me carry a backup.

Mono can be more flexible and easier to work with.  But sometimes when stereo recordings are ran mono, the higher frequencies seem to be reduced a bit.
This is because of phase problems occurring when the two channels are combined into one.  Also, if you are ever going to do any recording with this mixer you'd probably want to make sure you have stereo capabilities.

For reasons stated above.  Mainly speaker placement - you can't always set up a room that will benefit from a stereo mix.  One side of the room will hear half the mix, while the other side hears the other.  The only ones that would benefit are the ones directly in the middle - and that isn't always a guarantee.

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

duplicate

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

looks like this thread came back alive again.  I purchased a Stereo Powered Mixer a little over a month ago. Yamaha EMX5000 .....love it!!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Lonman, Good point about the speaker placement. I have already split the speakers pointing into two different rooms. In that instance you would want to use the amp in mono. Makes perfect sense. I have not done that. I'll do it next time. Using a stereo amp has an added benefit. If half of the amp blows you could piggyback the output to both sides. Half an amp would be better than none.

As a rule, if an amp goes, it would take out both sides - not always, but usually.  Especially in mixer/amps.  
This is partly why I like to run a tri-amp system - if an amp goes down, I can reconfigure the other 2 amps to run the rest of the show in less than 5 minutes.

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

5 minutes??? what takes you so long? ... kidding...

They are mounted in under the counter & I have to unscrew the front panel off the counter to get access.  

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

Thats why you need to add a karaoke midget to your setup to deal with those small spaces... I am not volunteering... just saying....