Karaoke Forums

i was wondering if anyone can help m eplease,im from the uk and im thinking of buying some disco/karoke equipment, but i dont know what amp,speakers,and karaoke machine to get
my mate who is a dj said when i get an amp dont go below 1200 watt.
but i dont know what watt amp and speakers to get,
can anyone please help me out
thank you

First off, yo can spend from $1000 to tens of thosands of $$$$ (or pounds) on equipment.  For anyone to recomed what to buy, we need to know yor budget.

I feel the best way for a newbie wold be to check out some local shows, and see what your potential competion is sing, then go a step above.  You cold also go to a local audio shop, and "test drive" some eqipment.

Asking in here of what to buy will give you so many options, it may make yor head spin.

Start of with your budget.

Depends on if you want to be good, better or best.

have to agree here.  go to shows that are around you andtry and get as much of a glimpse and listen to their equipment.  Don't totally go by the sound since they might not know anything about sound at all but set the system up and set the controls where they think is good and leave it there.   once you have an idea of several systems go to your local dealer if you have any and get the salesperson to test out the sound of the systems(hopefully they know a little more about sound to get it to sound good.) and check them out.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Also, a 1200 watt rating can mean a billion things.

Most amps that are advertised as 1200 watt amps (total power) really only have 300 watts per channel of stereo power into typical PA speakers (8ohm impedence).

By the same token, they could say that an amp has 1200 watts of total power into 2 ohms, which would mean it really only has 150 watts of stereo power into typical PA speakers.

What you want to look for is the PER CHANNEL rating into 8ohms...that is the power rating you really should be interested in.

300 watts is a good bit of power for home karaoke. If you have ever heard a home theater receiver, they typically spit out 100-120 watts per channel. For home karaoke, you can have a 150-200 watt/channel amp and it will sound good.

The most inexpensive way to go would be a powered mixer (so you don't have to buy separate components).

Here's some systems that have everything you need except the Karaoke CDG player:

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... -6_77.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... -6_77.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... false.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... false.html

Each is more expensive than the last and you are going to get what you pay for, the more pricey in these cases have more power and are going to sound better.

As far as karaoke CDG players, you can find some good deals on EBay. Just make sure they have great feedback and you can't really go wrong. You should be able to get a quality single disc CDG player on EBay for around $100-150.

Hope that helps....let us know if you have any more questions!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

My advice is rather different.  You say you want to go into business, yet have no idea of what to buy.  This tells me you know little or nothing about the business.  The first thing you should do is apprentice for your friend or someone else in the business to learn both the technical side and the ins and outs of the trade.  The venture you're looking at is pretty expensive if you want to be good.  Before you spend the outlay, ensure that this is what you truly want, otherwise you'll be getting rid of equipment at a fraction of your cost.  Not looking down on you just making sure you know what you are getting into.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Whoops...I was under the impression that you wanted this stuff for home use....

If you want to become a pro KJ, I would recommend at least 500 watts/channel amp and speakers to match.

It is rather pricey to have a good system. I'd say minimum you are looking at about $2,000 US including discs to start. I have about 9-10K currently invested in my setup.

And like timberlea said, it isn't as easy as it looks, especially mixing good sound, so I'd get your DJ buddy to teach you some mixing techniques before you start out and decide to invest the $$.

HOWEVER, once you get rolling, you can make some dough!! For the 10K I currently have invested in my karaoke business (2 nights a week by myself), I have made about $35K in two years (I have a full-time day job as well). That's a good investment and most nights are more fun than work (note I said MOST )

If you need recommendations on a good pro setup and starter disc sets, just post your budget and there are peeps on this site that will certainly give you good advise. Good luck!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

[quote="I have made about $35K in two years (I have a full-time day job as well).!![/quote]

$35K in two years is good if you ask me.
I'll take an extra $17.5K per year!

I see the bottom feeders haven't hit your area with their systems bought from ebay including the songs with zero discs to show for it. In my area you are lucky to get a gig for more than $75 a night.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I guess it just depends what area you are working and what the current demand is. We have those "bottom feeders" that you mention but they are pretty much living at the bottom of the bar food chain. Most of the knowledgeable venues see that a good show a reputation brings in the crowd. Also, the KJ's that are making the money in my area are strong in marketing themselves as well as the venue which owners/managers love. I do this part-time and bring a min. of $20,000 to a max of $30,000. not including private KJ/DJ parties. There are a couple of KJ's that bring in over $70,000. from bar gigs.  :D

The bottom feeders definately abound here in St. Pete, especially at the mom and pop beach bars. I am well paid because I put on a good show, have good equipment, and have good song selection. I put 200 butts in the seats every Saturday night and 75-125 on a Wednesday, you're lucky to see 25 peeps at those bars that are paying $50 a night for their KJ.

Believe me, the cheap rigs are out there, but there are also plenty of bars that have to have more than cheap imitation karaoke as well....it is a business and I conduct my business well.

Peeps always complain about the cheap rigs, but I've traveled alot in the SE and from what I have seen there is pretty much a 1 to 1 coorelation in that crappy bars have crappy karaoke KJs with crappy systems and selection and good bars have good ones with good systems and selection. If you have the goods, market yourself to a good bar and you'll get paid accordingly!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Like I always say, the bottom feeders only work the jobs I don't want.   Let them have 'em, they deserve each other.