Karaoke with Laptop only???

[Rockrz]

How would one go about doing a karaoke show with a laptop, speakers, and mic only?

Is that possible using the MTU software?

Any specific ideas on how this would be setup would be appreciated, like mixing on the laptop? How to connect speakers and mic thru laptop?

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

How would one go about doing a karaoke show with a laptop, speakers, and mic only?

Is that possible using the MTU software?

Any specific ideas on how this would be setup would be appreciated, like mixing on the laptop? How to connect speakers and mic thru laptop?

Basically you can't plug your microphone into the laptop to mix the sound using Hoster, it's not impossible but not how Hoster is designed to run.

It is normal procedure to just run the audio out from the computer to a mixer, plug the mic's into the mixer then send the mixed sound to the speakers, most kj mixers have sound effects built in for adjusting echo and reverb into the mix which you only need on the mic side.

Another option is some speaker systems have a separate mic input so you can actually mix the sound with the audio out but I don't know any that would have echo & reverb built in.

[Rockrz]

OK, any recommendations on a full featured mixer that is
reasonably priced, simple to us, and as small as possible?

[kod]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

OK, any recommendations on a full featured mixer that is
reasonably priced, simple to use, and as small as possible?

If you will be a little more specific as to what you call reasonably priced, we may be able to help you.

Also, are you looking for a small home type system or a larger system for professional use?

[Rockrz]

It will be for public use, but starting out I wouldn't want to spend
more than around $1000 or so for mixer, speakers, and mic.

I already have the laptop and the MTU software.

Also, does brass tipped connectors mach alot of different in sound quality?
I hear brass is superior to chrome plated connectors.

[Lonman]

I would go with something like the Yamaha MG124CX. Great board, compression on mic channels, decent effects built in.
For speakers you could go with a couple Mackie Thump TH-15A. Decent sounding speakers for the price.
I would also highly recommend adding a separate USB sound card interface like the Lexicon Alpha. It will make a night & day difference in the music coming from the laptop over the build in headphone jack.

Misc cords would be needed but all above (minus cords and mics) would run around $1000.
Might even consider adding the program Breakaway Audio Enhancer (you can demo test it for 30 days). A handful of people have sadi they experienced problems, but I think it has to do with wrong settings myself, I run it on all my computers without any problems. It helps normalize the volume of anything coming out of the computer - since different manus (and even sometimes within the same manu) don't record at the same volumes or have different finalizing processes, it really can make a difference as well and it's cheap!

With a $1000 budget system, the brass tips aren't going to make a huge audible impact over standard connectors. Save your money. I do recommend buying cords with a lifetime warranty though - you don't have to go as far as expensive as say Monster cords. I haven't paid for new cords in over 15 years. Bring them straight back to Guitar Center & exchange for new.

[Rockrz]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

It is normal procedure to just run the audio out from the computer to a mixer

Can you do that via USB, or do you have to use the headphone jack?

I found this USB mixer that looks pretty good at:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-X183...s+with+effects

Any thoughts on this unit, or is there a better unit that connects thru USB?

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

Can you do that via USB, or do you have to use the headphone jack?

I found this USB mixer that looks pretty good at:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-X183...s+with+effects

Any thoughts on this unit, or is there a better unit that connects thru USB?

make sure there are drivers for the usb soundcard within the thing, had an earlier version of those, didn't work well at all with Hoster.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

Can you do that via USB, or do you have to use the headphone jack?

I found this USB mixer that looks pretty good at:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-X183...s+with+effects

Any thoughts on this unit, or is there a better unit that connects thru USB?

It's preferable to use an external sound card. It will work without needing to buy anything else.
Lexicon Alpha is a great pro quality unit (and cheap) that will give you a night & day difference over a headphone jack output.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXALPHA

[Rockrz]

Originally Posted by Lonman

It's preferable to use an external sound card. It will work without needing to buy anything else.
Lexicon Alpha is a great pro quality unit (and cheap) that will give you a night & day difference over a headphone jack output.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXALPHA

Does it work with USB?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

Does it work with USB?

It is USB. Computer connects to Alpha via a USB cable. Then you go from the Alpha to the mixer inputs via standard 1/4"-1/4" (balanced if your mixer has balanced inputs) cables.
This has an advantage over most USB mixers as most USB mixers don't have any kind of adjustment for eq or effect or monitor/aux sends, just an input that you turn up.

[Skybird74]

Originally Posted by Rockrz

How would one go about doing a karaoke show with a laptop, speakers, and mic only?

Is that possible using the MTU software?

Any specific ideas on how this would be setup would be appreciated, like mixing on the laptop? How to connect speakers and mic thru laptop?

I still do Shows in nursing homes/senior centers using my old portable "cassette" Karaoke machine. It has 80 watts of power so it can still fill up a medium size room and has good sound. I plug the Audio from my laptop into the Audio In on the back of the unit, and plug the microphone into the front. Then I have the words on my laptop to be able to sing with. If the Home has a second TV, then I just plug into it the same way that I plug in to any TV using yellow RCA plug. Then the residents can sing along with me. I place my portable machine in the front of their TV (just off the floor on the dolly I use to carry it in) while I stand off to the side. The mic has a 20ft cord which can reach many of the residents so they can also sing if they want. I am always amazed at how many are good singers & know the words by heart when you play songs from their Era.

There are many portable machines on the market today. The best advice is to get one with 80 watts of power, and if possible check the sound in person before you buy. There is no need to carry a separate equalizer. These singers are just HAPPY you are there!