Karaoke Forums

Hi ya'll! I'm looking to start running Karaoke on my own soon (hopefully) but I'm not sure what equipment I'll be needing. I've sat in quite a bit for different friends of mine who are KJ's and am currently learning more about mixing so I can be prepared when I get my own system. I'm not horrible when it comes to technical things when I have them all in front of me; my problem is that I don't know what I need to begin with! Anyone have some suggestions of a simple system (brands, peices) that I can put together, approximately how much it will cost, and where I can look for these things? Thanks!

Amanda

Ps... I would ask the people I've sat in for but their stuff doesn't sound that great. It has a muffled sound sometimes, and I really want something that the singers can hear themselves with too, not just the audience. Cuz who wants to sing if you can't hear yourself?

_________________

Well without an initial budget, it's going to be hard to recommend anything.  If you are starting from scratch I always say an initial budget of $5K will get a nice system & respectable amount "quality" selection - not a bunch of Sweet Georgia Brown & NuTech garbage.  You can cheaper equipment/discs but it may not sound as good as if you got something that is quality to begin with & probably something you'll end up replacing spending more money replacing with very little return value or trade in worth on the stuff rejected.  
Amp power (or lack thereof) matching to the speakers is the main factor MANY companies lack on & skimp on which is why some systems sound like a distorted tin box or "muffled".  Amps and speakers are the MAIN 2 variables I wouldn't skimp on.

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

Amanda

Assuming you going to be hosting at small to medium venues.  I suggest starting out with a POWERED MIXER and a pair of 15" speakers.   My reccomendations would be as follows:

Mixer: If I was going to buy again I would start with a powered mixer from Yamaha .
I prefer the box type for ease of setup as I can put my  cdg player right on top.
( I don't own a Yamaha - MY second system consists of a Behringer PMH200).
Model depends on your  BUDGET but from a power stand point buy as big as you can afford.

Speakers:  Match your Yamaha with a set of Yamahas SV115 15" speakers and your all set.

Get yourself a couple of decent microphones again you know the names to look for.

The reason I would suggest a powered mixer to  start is they are generally LIGHT and SMALLER to set up and carry than a conventional MIXER AND POWER AMP configuration.

Amanda

Assuming you going to be hosting at small to medium venues.  I suggest starting out with a POWERED MIXER and a pair of 15" speakers.   My reccomendations would be as follows:

Mixer: If I was going to buy again I would start with a powered mixer from Yamaha .
I prefer the box type for ease of setup as I can put my  cdg player right on top.
( I don't own a Yamaha - MY second system consists of a Behringer PMH200).
Model depends on your  BUDGET but from a power stand point buy as big as you can afford.

Speakers:  Match your Yamaha with a set of Yamahas SV115 15" speakers and your all set.

Get yourself a couple of decent microphones again you know the names to look for.

The reason I would suggest a powered mixer to  start is they are generally LIGHT and SMALLER to set up and carry than a conventional MIXER AND POWER AMP configuration.

Amanda, I know you are a few hours away from me but I would be more than happy to share with you what I have and why I got them. I will let you try them out and see if it's something you are interested. If you have a chance to get down my way, let me know.

_________________

Seize the day and SING!!!

I agree with Lonman....you gotta have a budget set for what you are willing to invest initially. What you purchase will have a direct bearing on what you can afford.

As he stated 5K will get you a great start w/quality equipment and music selection.

If you can afford this type of entry into the business .....go for it! Buy quality right out of the starting blocks. You will never be unhappy with your investment.

Once you have a budget set then we can all help with different options for you.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

As you have stated, you know what crap sounds like from listening to your "friends stuff".    So what ever they did, don't copy it.   Put yourself above them.  If it takes a little more saving  money time on your part.   Or start buying quality pieces one at a time until you get everything you need to do it right.    You've been on here long enough to know the ropes.   You'll get more jobs by sounding and looking professional.   Work on building your reputation.   I have checked out some of the "posters" websites.   They aren't as good as the say or they would be working more gigs than they have listed on their sites.    I had a KJ come up and give me his card last night asking me to get him jobs.    Ahhh get your own, I can.

And your site is........

_________________
[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Don't have one.   Never needed one.    Quit advertsing in the phone book 5 years ago, because I can't take anymore jobs, it was wasting money.   5 nights a week for many, many years.

Yeah, ok!

_________________
[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

I must be one of the posters websites he looked at, since mine is one of 2 that actually list one.  Don't know how you got that we must not be that good from the sites however?  I don't think i've ever made a self proclaimed statement saying I'm that good though.  Don't know if I am or not, but have been at the same club since '92 working 7 nights.

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

I have a pretty extensive set of my own cdg's from performing and competitions. My bf's mom runs karaoke (only one night a week) and she has like 3,000 songs on cdg and said that I could borrow hers until I get my own "collection" going. I'll just have to work around her night. So cd's aren't my main concern. I'm looking at a cheap budget. $2-3,000?? (I'm a college kid, guys!)

I really appreciate all the help I've gotten so far!...

_________________

The kid wants advice, got any?    I didn't name names, did I?.   You don't need to advertise either.    I can only work so much.    I'm just saying that I have enough work from my reputation.  I don't have to waste my money on advertising.   I'd rather spend it on quality equipment.   I'm not a computer geek so I would have to pay useless money to maintain a web site I don't need, to advertise that I don't need anymore work.

No one has yet recommend used, but good brand equipment. Why buy new when you can get it cheap secondhand.

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

Only certain pieces I would buy used.  Mainly amps & processors.  Speakers can be a good find.  Mixers I would almost always buy new - unless you absolutely know what you are getting, players would always buy new.  



Not a low budget at all, that's just about right for a nice starter.
Check out something like:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630119

or

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=630206

Neither of these come with a monitor speaker & I would just get a small powered speaker for that - run off of an Aux output from the mixer.
Next you will need a player, tv monitor for the singer & books/slips printed up & all of the above can be picked up for around $2000.  Once you get your equipment - whatever you buy, make SURE you get to know what everything does.  Every switch, slider, rotary pot - etc...

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

No you didn't but an implication can be construde as such.  Since I am 1 of 2 that list their site in this thread, one can only come to the conclusion who you were referring to.



Yeah I don't advertise to get more work, got enough for me at this time, I have a select few companies that I can trust & work with (fill in or help out) that I can refer clients to if they do contact me for work - the other company pays me a finders/booking fee.  
Mainly advertise for the customers now & to bring people into the club.  For the website, they can check the book out & print slips at home & bring them in - which they do often, hell saves me money on printing.  I don't do the phone book either.  Mainly free sites advertising karaoke clubs & places to sing, no wasted money there, just a few minutes of time.

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

Apprx. how many watts should the monitor be?

_________________

You don't need a huge amount of power for a karaoke monitor.  If you get a powered speaker you could go with something like the JBL EON for a monitor - not the higher dollar G2 series.  http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-JBL-EON15P--b-41--n-20--s-eon--o-1--pic-false.html
or Mackie SRM350
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... 6_385.html

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

Also, you may want to check out Fender 1270P Powered Stage Monitor. It's the one I use, puts out 100 watts and very small and portable. It puts out great sound and it's powered.

_________________

Seize the day and SING!!!

Thanks Eben. I was just looking at your site, and I noticed it says that you use "Shure SM-58 like microphones x 3". Does that mean that you use Shure, or just mics that are comparable and at a lower cost? Any suggestions on great yet inexpensive cordless mics to start off with? That's a huge complaint around this area that I've heard from other karaokers, that a lot of the KJ's either don't have cordless mics, or they only have one mic.

_________________