Just to add to Joe's thoughts...
Never, ever host karaoke with a DJ mixer. Karaoke mixers exist for a reason.
Never, ever host karaoke with a DJ mixer. Karaoke mixers exist for a reason.
So I am looking at investing in Karaoke!
- Thread starter DJMN
- Start date
I don't seem to be conveying my message very well,
And since 90% of the people have probably been doing this longer than I have, I will have to bow out of this discussion.
Sufficive to say, for me I have the best equipment I can afford, I've gotten no complaints about the sound. In fact I frequently get complimented on how my singers sound.
Will I still be getting better equipment now that I have saved enough money for better speakers? You bet.
Btw Joe, no offense was taken. I have a VERY high regard for your ethics and methodology and respect your opinion. I'm just frustrated that I can't seem to accurately convey what I'm trying to get accross..
Altho on one point I am clearer now.. When I said you don't need a bigger system, i did mean in terms of wattage.. *shrug*
I've always believed in buying quality. I just don't happen to believe that qaulity means you have to spend thousands of dollars every single time you need something. There are plenty of things that are extremely well made, will last a long time and still deliver the qaulity that is needed for karaoke.
And just for the record, I actually prefer zoom myself. There are several things about sound choice that rub me the wrong way. Not the least of which is their replacement policy doesn't apply to half of the dics I use because all of them are discontinued..
Gee and here i said i was bowing out.. Mea Culpa.. I'll be quiet now..
And since 90% of the people have probably been doing this longer than I have, I will have to bow out of this discussion.
Sufficive to say, for me I have the best equipment I can afford, I've gotten no complaints about the sound. In fact I frequently get complimented on how my singers sound.
Will I still be getting better equipment now that I have saved enough money for better speakers? You bet.
Btw Joe, no offense was taken. I have a VERY high regard for your ethics and methodology and respect your opinion. I'm just frustrated that I can't seem to accurately convey what I'm trying to get accross..
Altho on one point I am clearer now.. When I said you don't need a bigger system, i did mean in terms of wattage.. *shrug*
I've always believed in buying quality. I just don't happen to believe that qaulity means you have to spend thousands of dollars every single time you need something. There are plenty of things that are extremely well made, will last a long time and still deliver the qaulity that is needed for karaoke.
And just for the record, I actually prefer zoom myself. There are several things about sound choice that rub me the wrong way. Not the least of which is their replacement policy doesn't apply to half of the dics I use because all of them are discontinued..
Gee and here i said i was bowing out.. Mea Culpa.. I'll be quiet now..
...And since 90% of the people have probably been doing this longer than I have, I will have to bow out of this discussion.
...Gee and here i said i was bowing out.. Mea Culpa.. I'll be quiet now..
Nothing from nothing Jim, but if we all agreed, this forum would be pretty boring. Disagreement creates the best dialog and the best opportunity to learn from us. Even if you feel you havent conveyed your thoughts, that was a healthy can of worms to open. Silence would not accomplish that IMHO.
Harry: Well not silence so much as not wanting to admit when I'm losing. 
Hmm i wish I knew how to quote from multiple posts.. In any case..
Regarding Joe's comment about singer's. I have noticed that is the way things are in most really big areas. I had to go back to Vancouver, BC to be reminded of that tho.
Here it isn't about the singing at all. It's about the friendships you form, and the adrenaline rush you can get from performing in front of others.
It's strange. I am the most introverted & shy person you could probably ever meet and as a general rule I despise crowds, but put me on a stage and I will do bad elvis impersonations, start a conga line, mock strip or just about whatever it takes to ensure that people are having fun and stay to enjoy themselves *and therebye spend more money so I keep my job*
Could I be more successful? Definately. Am I limiting myself? Quite possibly.
The bottom line for me is at the moment I'm happy where I am and the way I do things works for me personally.
I do want to say thank you to everyone for the input tho. This forumn has been a little too quiet of late.
-James
Hmm i wish I knew how to quote from multiple posts.. In any case..
Regarding Joe's comment about singer's. I have noticed that is the way things are in most really big areas. I had to go back to Vancouver, BC to be reminded of that tho.
Here it isn't about the singing at all. It's about the friendships you form, and the adrenaline rush you can get from performing in front of others.
It's strange. I am the most introverted & shy person you could probably ever meet and as a general rule I despise crowds, but put me on a stage and I will do bad elvis impersonations, start a conga line, mock strip or just about whatever it takes to ensure that people are having fun and stay to enjoy themselves *and therebye spend more money so I keep my job*
Could I be more successful? Definately. Am I limiting myself? Quite possibly.
The bottom line for me is at the moment I'm happy where I am and the way I do things works for me personally.
I do want to say thank you to everyone for the input tho. This forumn has been a little too quiet of late.
-James
A karaoke mixer that is worth a crap doesn't exist.... Nothing Vocopro or anyone like that makes is pro gear.. it's all low end chinese crap. Until you've used a touring grade professional mixer, you don't know what you're missing.
For my system, I use an Allen & Heath Xone:92, because it has 2 of the creamiest mic channels known to man at any price, with a sweepable 4 band rotary EQ per channel, and 2 aux busses which I use for effects... It's $1699, a bit pricey, but worth every single penny you'll spend. It's the only DJ mixer that will actually give you studio quality mic preamps.
For my system, I use an Allen & Heath Xone:92, because it has 2 of the creamiest mic channels known to man at any price, with a sweepable 4 band rotary EQ per channel, and 2 aux busses which I use for effects... It's $1699, a bit pricey, but worth every single penny you'll spend. It's the only DJ mixer that will actually give you studio quality mic preamps.
Is there like a Digital Jukebox type karaoke?? Where the user finds a song... and waits his/her turn. They search through the library digitally??
I really thought I seen this last year, and I cant find anything awesome! I found a bill collector karaoke system...but this isnt what I was thinking of!
I really thought I seen this last year, and I cant find anything awesome! I found a bill collector karaoke system...but this isnt what I was thinking of!
There are CAVS machines and several other similar types. But in my own opinion those will not work on a professional level and cost too much anyway.
If you live in the US then you can buy a regular computer that will run digitial karaoke. Several people in this forumn use a program called autokdj. Not only is it easy to set up and learn it's free at the moment. it can be found at www.autokdj.com altho you need to make sure you install winamp first if you don't already use it..
They have the best rotation logic of any software out there. There are also several commercal products that you can download and evaluate.
The hardest/most time consuming part of digital karaoke is converting the music from discs, but if you are just starting out, you can buy digital content from people like tricerasoft * www.tricerasoft.com and click on karaoke downloads*
If you have any questions, feel free to post them in this forum under its own topic
hope that helps
-James
...and I think I got it. Apologies if I sounded brash, it wasn't my intent..well, maybe a little..
I guess I'm oversensitive? NAH! I just misunderstood you're intent...There was 8000-10000 songs.....
I negotiated to $3500. Is this a deal still?? Its still not to late to back out....I got til the 10th of July!
I negotiated to $3500. Is this a deal still?? Its still not to late to back out....I got til the 10th of July!
That's a heck of a deal if you get the original discs.... but you said 8000-10000 do you have any idea how many discs are involved and what manu's?
8 Chartbusters
New Tracks??
Magic Tracks??
This company figured they had $3000 invested on music.
Whats some other questions I should ask this company??
New Tracks??
Magic Tracks??
This company figured they had $3000 invested on music.
Whats some other questions I should ask this company??
Steve, by karaoke mixer I only mean one capable of handling all of the requirements well ( think vocal), including both vocal and musical keychange.
I agree that many of the "karaoke brand" mixers aren't really up to snuff, but even most of THEM at least have all the functions required, as opposed to a straight DJ rig.
For instance, take the Audio2000 AKJ7050 mixer /amplifier. While the amp isn't much ( I think around 400 watts), this is a nice little starter for someone just learning and doing home parties and tiny venues. A good little workhorse. If you're just learning, this is a very simple machine with everything EXCEPT EQ. Not great, but a durable starter. In other words, it makes no pretensions like, say, VocoPro, it just does what it's supposed to.
I digress. For me, a karaoke mixer is merely one built for the job, or with all the bells and whistles required. No brand inferred.
I would ask them what brand of discs are most prevelant in the collection (ie Sound Choice, Chartbuster, some unknown crap Brand)?
With that many tracks you can figure that there is probably about 20-30% duplication going on... especially if it is made up of multiple manufactures.
But, the big one is do I get the original discs?
If this is a deal for a pre-loaded hard drive or CDR's run away as fast as you can.....
With that many tracks you can figure that there is probably about 20-30% duplication going on... especially if it is made up of multiple manufactures.
But, the big one is do I get the original discs?
If this is a deal for a pre-loaded hard drive or CDR's run away as fast as you can.....
Mixer comment, Program Question
I'm relatively new to this board, but I've Been DJ'ing 30 years, and karaoke
almost 20........ I personally have to echo the sentiments of having the
best equipment you can afford and knowing how to adjust it to make your
singers sound better than they have ever heard themselves - Yes, there
are the exceptions - Joe Drunko who couldn't carry a tune - but your
regulars who are very serious about their Karaoke really build the base
for your show and it's ability to outshine your competition..........
I have 3 DJ rigs which double as karaoke rigs - actually the DJ business
brings in the big bucks..........but the karaoke pays the utility bills - I'm
using Mackie CFX 12 mixers in all three - yes, there are mixers that cost
more and have a little better preamps - but these mixers do everything
I need........Plenty of inputs.............a graphic equalizer I can use to
ring out (equalize or tune) the room..........and onboard effects....
Yes.........I could use the Mackie Onyx mixer I have and add outboard
effects and a better outboard eq, but I wouldn't gain that much
additional quality to have to redesign my rack, and add the additional
weight...........
My main Karaoke speakers are RCF 4Pro4001's - Man - on the boom
boom boom's these really kick butt !! In my second Karaoke show,
same equipment, but using Mackie 1530's - which I think actually
sound a little sweeter than the RCF's - but don't have near the bottom
end punch for the music.............(All self powered)
I'm not sure if the Allen and Heath has the onboard efx and eq, but they're
the preferred pro mixer - just have to shell out more money - I see
a lot of them in pro and church scenarios..........
I've built a solid library - some 9,000 unduplicated songs - that of course
is extremely important as well..............and classy, well-organized books...
After tuning the room carefully, I have two more technical secrets....On
the Mackie mixers I have 4 band eq's on each input.....on the stereo
music (karaoke music) inputs, I generally bring the mid highs and the mid lows
down a bit - around 930 - 1000 compared to 1200 on the hi-his and the
low-lows.... I then usually have to bring the low lows down a bit with
the fuller sounding discs..... This helps a great deal to allow the singers
voice a place in the mix - in the midranges, which the voice occupies - Just
leave enough mids in that the singer can hear that part of the music in
the mix and hear their own voice clearly as well......
I'm certain there would be tons of discussion, agreement, and disagreement
about use of house and monitor speakers and their placement..... In the
situation where I'm doing my main karaoke show, placement is totally less
than ideal, and I have to put the speakers back behind and off to the
sides of the singers..........Ordinarily this would mean a trip to feedback
city - but with the judicious use of a sabine FBX 2400 feedback exterminator, no problem - not even with the cupped microphone syndrome......and the voice quality does not suffer noticeably from their use..........I use the aforementioned Shure SM 58's quite successfully in this arrangement........(Also use a Sabine FBX 900 on my mic channell)
I will not use floor monitors, as often even the really good singers
will point their microphones down - right at the speakers - again -
howling feedback...........For karaoke, monitors off to the sides
and forward a bit, work much better if you're able to accommodate them.......
Ok.........so much for the comment which I meant to be a paragraph -
Now the question - I went to the auto-kj program and it says it's
priced at $2500 - pay pal - Is that for real??? if so, is it really
worth it considering, with all the programs you can buy for $300 or less,
or free ?? Thanks for your patience here.... (I'm an old guy)
I'm relatively new to this board, but I've Been DJ'ing 30 years, and karaoke
almost 20........ I personally have to echo the sentiments of having the
best equipment you can afford and knowing how to adjust it to make your
singers sound better than they have ever heard themselves - Yes, there
are the exceptions - Joe Drunko who couldn't carry a tune - but your
regulars who are very serious about their Karaoke really build the base
for your show and it's ability to outshine your competition..........
I have 3 DJ rigs which double as karaoke rigs - actually the DJ business
brings in the big bucks..........but the karaoke pays the utility bills - I'm
using Mackie CFX 12 mixers in all three - yes, there are mixers that cost
more and have a little better preamps - but these mixers do everything
I need........Plenty of inputs.............a graphic equalizer I can use to
ring out (equalize or tune) the room..........and onboard effects....
Yes.........I could use the Mackie Onyx mixer I have and add outboard
effects and a better outboard eq, but I wouldn't gain that much
additional quality to have to redesign my rack, and add the additional
weight...........
My main Karaoke speakers are RCF 4Pro4001's - Man - on the boom
boom boom's these really kick butt !! In my second Karaoke show,
same equipment, but using Mackie 1530's - which I think actually
sound a little sweeter than the RCF's - but don't have near the bottom
end punch for the music.............(All self powered)
I'm not sure if the Allen and Heath has the onboard efx and eq, but they're
the preferred pro mixer - just have to shell out more money - I see
a lot of them in pro and church scenarios..........
I've built a solid library - some 9,000 unduplicated songs - that of course
is extremely important as well..............and classy, well-organized books...
After tuning the room carefully, I have two more technical secrets....On
the Mackie mixers I have 4 band eq's on each input.....on the stereo
music (karaoke music) inputs, I generally bring the mid highs and the mid lows
down a bit - around 930 - 1000 compared to 1200 on the hi-his and the
low-lows.... I then usually have to bring the low lows down a bit with
the fuller sounding discs..... This helps a great deal to allow the singers
voice a place in the mix - in the midranges, which the voice occupies - Just
leave enough mids in that the singer can hear that part of the music in
the mix and hear their own voice clearly as well......
I'm certain there would be tons of discussion, agreement, and disagreement
about use of house and monitor speakers and their placement..... In the
situation where I'm doing my main karaoke show, placement is totally less
than ideal, and I have to put the speakers back behind and off to the
sides of the singers..........Ordinarily this would mean a trip to feedback
city - but with the judicious use of a sabine FBX 2400 feedback exterminator, no problem - not even with the cupped microphone syndrome......and the voice quality does not suffer noticeably from their use..........I use the aforementioned Shure SM 58's quite successfully in this arrangement........(Also use a Sabine FBX 900 on my mic channell)
I will not use floor monitors, as often even the really good singers
will point their microphones down - right at the speakers - again -
howling feedback...........For karaoke, monitors off to the sides
and forward a bit, work much better if you're able to accommodate them.......
Ok.........so much for the comment which I meant to be a paragraph -
Now the question - I went to the auto-kj program and it says it's
priced at $2500 - pay pal - Is that for real??? if so, is it really
worth it considering, with all the programs you can buy for $300 or less,
or free ?? Thanks for your patience here.... (I'm an old guy)
What is this auto-kj program and where can I find out the details... it sounds like a scam to me but you never know.
Hands down for me I consider AutOKdj to be the best of the best in automated karaoke.... but I know the creator so I may be a bit biased.... nahhhhh it is the best.
Ducks to avoid things flying at head!
Thanks for the comments this is more in line with what I was trying to say. As for the autokdj program, no it is not $2500, that's just a joke that I think Toqer forgot to take down because he's been away on vacation.
When they find a commercial vender, I'm sure they will be charging some sort of fee, but for the moment it is a plugin for winamp that is free..
-James
ok ya now I know where he got that from......It Should Be $2500.00 but I think he'd settle for a $25.00 donation...
I Loooooooove AutOKdj.
As previously posted, and also PMed. the deal is MAYBE worth $1800. Those brands of music are worthless. I think they may have a few hundred invested in music-tops, and you have equipment redundancy. I truly believe that this is a deal that is definitely worth passing up. Please re-read my PM.
I think I want to clarify my previous "mixer" post.
In my world there are 4 kinds of mixers:
1- Studio Mixer: Can do ANYTHING. Full multi-channel control of each instrument and all vocals. Unfortunately the best just aren't portable enough for mobile work.
2- Live Band Mixer: Can do almost anything, with the same functions, but with slightly less control as a studio mixer due to size constraints. Controls, by varying degrees, each instrument and each vocal input.
3- Karaoke Mixer: Designed for some control ( bass, mid, and high range EQ, plus effects) of pre-mixed recorded music ( but not of each and every instrument), plus FULL control of all vocal imputs including EQ, keychange, and effects for each imput. Designed to mix manually mixed vocals with pre-recorded music. ( ...and why vocal mixing skills are a must- you just can't set and forget, every singer is different.
4- DJ Mixer: Designed for some control ( but not of each and every instrument) of pre-mixed pre-recorded music and effects. NOT designed for vocal emphasis.
I hope this clarifies what I mean when speaking of a karaoke mixer. I am not neccesarily describing equipment made by karaoke or any specific manufacturer, but of capability and versatility.
In my world there are 4 kinds of mixers:
1- Studio Mixer: Can do ANYTHING. Full multi-channel control of each instrument and all vocals. Unfortunately the best just aren't portable enough for mobile work.
2- Live Band Mixer: Can do almost anything, with the same functions, but with slightly less control as a studio mixer due to size constraints. Controls, by varying degrees, each instrument and each vocal input.
3- Karaoke Mixer: Designed for some control ( bass, mid, and high range EQ, plus effects) of pre-mixed recorded music ( but not of each and every instrument), plus FULL control of all vocal imputs including EQ, keychange, and effects for each imput. Designed to mix manually mixed vocals with pre-recorded music. ( ...and why vocal mixing skills are a must- you just can't set and forget, every singer is different.
4- DJ Mixer: Designed for some control ( but not of each and every instrument) of pre-mixed pre-recorded music and effects. NOT designed for vocal emphasis.
I hope this clarifies what I mean when speaking of a karaoke mixer. I am not neccesarily describing equipment made by karaoke or any specific manufacturer, but of capability and versatility.