Speakers and amps/mixers

[Mike Hasemann]

Here's a karaoke newbie question that I was hoping
somebody could help me out with.

I'm just putting together a little karaoke
system in my basement and am going with the JVC/RSQ 333 player.
I was wondering what speakers I should get and what other pieces
I need to get the system up and going.
Do I need an amp? Mixer?
Can I get these other pieces from any retailer (best buy?)
or are there certain speaker models that are made specifically
for karaoke?

Hopefully, you'll have some suggestions for:
1. Speakers?
2. Microphones?
3. Amp (do I need)?
4. Mixers (do I need)?

Like most people, budget is important but I also
don't believe in spending $100-$200 on something that
is crap when I can spend $300 that is going to last
a really long time.

[Jim Barr]

Mike Hasemann <netdeve...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c324e312.0202...@posting.google.com...

> Here's a karaoke newbie question that I was hoping
> somebody could help me out with.
>
> I'm just putting together a little karaoke
> system in my basement and am going with the JVC/RSQ 333 player.

This is a nice player with only one draw back I have found. The volume
output is much higher than the Pioneer players. It is sometimes difficult to
keep the system from peeking which causes distortion on some cd's. If any
one has a solution to this problem I'd like to hear it.

> I was wondering what speakers I should get and what other pieces
> I need to get the system up and going.
> Do I need an amp? Mixer?

You don't need an amp with speakers, but you'll be happier with them. You
could just hook your player up to you stereo. I would recommend a powered
mixer with built in effects if possible (either echo or reverb). If this is
just going in your basement 200 watts would make a great system that would
even be enough to do small bars. Make sure it has enough channels to hook up
your player, mics (one channel per mic) and anything else you might want to
add such as a receiver, cassette recorder, cd recorder, etc... My basement
system has a cd recorder that allows me to record a singer.

> Can I get these other pieces from any retailer (best buy?)

I would buy these items from a local music store that sells band equipment.
They should also be able to give you some good advice. Avoid Radio Shack and
Best Buy except for things like RCA cables and a RF Modulator if needed. It
will be needed if your TV does not have a rca input for video.

> or are there certain speaker models that are made specifically
> for karaoke?

Not really, buy a set of speakers that best match your amp. This is where
your music store can help.

Jim Barr

[djd...@nospam.bigfoot.com]

I have the volume problem with one of my cd players.. output is too
high on one of them.. Here is what i did.. My mixer has seperate input
volume adjustments (radio shack - the best they have) I turned down
just that cd in, and all is good. 3 bars on cd1 is the same as cd 2,
3, and tape 4. The adjusters are on the front of my passive mixer, and
require one of those really small screwdrivers to adjust.
As for what speakers/amps/etc.. What can you afford? If you buy
radioshack speakers you will never be happy with them. The one thing
you want to spend the most on is the speakers. 9 times out of 10 when
a dj / kj sounds bad, its the speakers. I would recommend getting any
well known speaker manuf.. such as ElectroVoice (EV) or Peavy. There
are also some awesome self powered speakers out there that kick ass.
That will take care of your amp delemma. As for Mic? If your not going
to get a Sure SM58 or close to it, it really doesnt matter. Best buy,
Circuit City, or one of those places will have low cost, not-so-great
mics. SM58 will run you under 100.00

... As for mixers, a cheap one may ease your work. They all do the
same thing, fade, crossfade, asign, etc.. Only difference really is
what else they do, and the amount of inputs they handle. Some have an
effects loop, so you can add addl. sound effects, some have echo built
in, some have beat indicators. I doubt you need any of those, and if
all your going to be doinfg is karaoke and no mixing, i would
recommend a cheap 2 channel mixer.

On Mon, 18 Feb 2002 12:18:52 -0600, "Jim Barr" <jim...@sound.net>
wrote:

[Badger]

Cure for high output from JVC.
Make up a new phono connecting lead with a balanced dropper in it.
Difficult to explain but try this.
1. cut a phono lead in half and peel back the outer braiding then skin the
two inner conductors back approx. 6mm.
2. solder a 36kilohm resistor to the exposed braid of one end
3. solder a 14kilohm resistor to the inner conductor of the same cable
4. solder the two free ends of the resistors together
5. solder the free inner conductor of the other half of your original lead
to the soldered joint of the two resisters created at 4.
6. solder the free outer braid to the outer braid of the other half of the
original cable.
7. insulate everything!!! (I use heatshrink as I go)
8. reconnect, ensuring that the connector attached to the middle of the two
resistors in 5. is the one connected to the amp/mixer input.

What you have done is created a balanced circuit of approx. 50kilohm
impedence, the signal voltage will have been "dropped" by 14/50ths. Feel
free to experiment with resistance values, as long as they add up to 50k.
These are the values I had available and they worked for me, as I was
experiencing mixer input distortion due to the high line voltage from the
JVC. Good luck, Badger.

[Mike Hasemann]

Thanks a lot for the feedback.
This stuff is pretty complicated with out
a little point in the right direction.
Like finding a needle in a haystack without the help.
Gotta love google groups though don't ya'?

"Badger" <bad...@badger-co.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message news:<a4rmnm$l2p$1...@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk>...