Moving out!!

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Hi to everyone on the board, i'm a new member and read quite a few of the threads in this section.

I'm currently running weekly-monthly (depending on my other commitments) karaoke nights in my fathers pub. With the current general decline in pub trade it was something that was done to try and drive trade in - it hasnt (chiefly because it is a 400 year old coaching inn with customers to match!) and being an out of town pub it is not somewhere people can come and have a drink and drive home again.

I've invested quite a bit of money in a system that I have "self taught" myself by looking at various forums, friends etc and I feel it's time to "move out" and try advertising myself for other pubs/functions in the area.

I wondered if you guys had any tips for me as I dont want to become one of the "cowboys" on the circuit. My system at the moment is laptop based and comprises of the following:

Virtual DJ software
1 x HDD with all the karaoke music on
2 x 500w Studio master passive speakers
1 x 1000w warrior amp
1 x Alessi 8 channel mixer (this is an issue at the moment)
2 no. decent (£30-£40ea) mics
1 no. cheap (£100) radio mic

The main issue I have is combining disco music with the karaoke on VDJ as it's fiddly with the mouse and commonly goes wrong. I'm thinking of getting a seperate platform for background/filler music, another cheap laptop preferable as then i can control it. Any advice?

Lastly, the mixer. The mic output sometimes sounds muffled on the speakers and I cant seem to get enough power to the mics. It keeps trimming and then when i turn the gain even slightly down I get hardly any volume. Is this down to the mixer or something I'm setting up wrong?

Sorry for the long post but it's just an introduction! :-)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Sorry for the long post but it's just an introduction! :-)

Well strictly speaking an introduction wouldn't ask so many questions and would be in the newbies section. ;)

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Apologies :( should have read the forum rules first

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Apologies :( should have read the forum rules first

No problem - say hello in the newbie section and I'm sure you'll get a better response. :)

It sounds like you need to invest in a controller for VDJ - that will make using music and karaoke a breeze.

Have a look at the Denon HC4500 which is fairly advanced or you may be able to get hold of an old DAC-2 a lot cheaper, but it has a lot less functionality.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Thanks

I've not heard of a controller for VDJ, I will look them up but what is one and what will it do?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thanks

I've not heard of a controller for VDJ, I will look them up but what is one and what will it do?

It's basically like a head unit for a CD player with as much, if not more functionality.

[SC Events]

I use a Numark DMC2 which is useful for Karaoke / Videos as it has video mixing buttons on them and fully works with Virtual DJ.

[paulg]

Hi,

I notice you say you are laptop based. If the media on there isn't taken from your own original music and karaoke discs then you have become a cowboy.

Clear that one up will you and if you're near me in the UK I'll help you out.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Hi Paul

I've started about 3 years ago and it is, i suppose, 95% of my own original music (a few albums I have gleaned from friends, people who have come to the karaoke and given me a few favourite tracks so they could dance along etc) and all the karaoke tracks are my own - spent easily into the 1000s for them, mostly sunfly.

Problem with my music is that a lot of it is downloaded from itunes and VDJ can be a bit temperamental with the security on the files.

I wouldnt know where to get pirate karaoke songs....any tips welcome!! :D :zip:

Oh, and I'm in Cannock in Staffs

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Hi,

I notice you say you are laptop based. If the media on there isn't taken from your own original music and karaoke discs then you have become a cowboy.


Is there actually any need for that post? Lots of people use laptops with original music and karaoke on.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Ok I've looked at these controllers and to be honest I never knew such a thing existed!
I can see how they work (i think) and I can see that, like most of the features on VDJ, I will never used 90% of what it can do as I'm using it for karaoke and simple discos.

Does such a controller exist that encorporates a mixer with mic inputs so that it can be directly connected to an amp without it having to go through another mixer?

As I say, i'm no great fan of the Alessi I've got at the moment, it has twiddly knobs rather than sliders and I'm pretty sure it has a bad effect on the mic tone.

[Kernow]

Hi,

I notice you say you are laptop based. If the media on there isn't taken from your own original music and karaoke discs then you have become a cowboy.

Clear that one up will you and if you're near me in the UK I'll help you out.


Is there actually any need for that post? Lots of people use laptops with original music and karaoke on.

In fairness Daz, the 'if' makes the question conditional, and Rabbitts has answered it in a satisfactory manner.

There are of course also, many who don't use original material or legitimate copies thereof, and I thought the declared principle of the MDD/MDA and it's affiliates was to promote best practice by their elimination ? ;)

IMO a perfectly valid point raised by paulG which needed to be cleared up before proceeding. :)

That said, :welcome2: Rabbitts :thumbs_up:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

In fairness Daz, the 'if' makes the question conditional, and Rabbitts has answered it in a satisfactory manner.

There are of course also, many who don't use original material or legitimate copies thereof, and I thought the declared principle of the MDD/MDA and it's affiliates was to promote best practice by their elimination ? ;)

IMO a perfectly valid point raised by paulG which needed to be cleared up before proceeding. :)

That said, :welcome2: Rabbitts :thumbs_up:

I disagree. The question came over differently to me. It hinted that just because he uses a laptop, he may have illegal files. People use copied CDs and illegal files on other playout systems too.

I haven't noticed Paul asking anyone else if they use original discs or files....

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Morning guys

Just for the record I havent taken offence to the "question" as I think it's a fair and valid one.

I've not been in the trade long enough to fully appreciate but I'm sure it:Censored: many people off when someone has paid 1000s for his gear and then joe bloggs the redundant welder starts up overnight having paid sod all.

[paulg]

Is there actually any need for that post? Lots of people use laptops with original music and karaoke on.

Yes, if i'm going to offer my time for free - as I've done with many many people in the karaoke business, then I think it's fair that I avoid turning out and finding a hard drive full of Ebay 'originals'. I know it might have appeared abrupt, but piracy is a big problem up here. Thankfully, this isn't the case with the member and i'd have gone out to him to help sort out the problems except the guys a bit too far away. Much easier than trying to guess the problem from behind a keyboard.

I've demo'd speakers, starcloths, lights to people on this forum on the same basis. Is anyone else close enough to Staffs to help out?

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Hi Paul

Many thanks for the gesture of coming out (and for asking other members) but many of my problems, not really problems but issues, are to do with the mixer/laptop configuration and I'm sure I'll get it right soon.

I just need an external soundcard and one of the controllers for VDJ as kindly recommended by Solitaire (sorry i'm not familiar with your first name yet!) and hopefully that will solve many of the problem I've got. Possibly a decent mixer aswell.

How is trade at the moment anyway?? As I say, I'm looking to start doing "external" gigs away from my comfort zone so any info on how the market is would be appreciated? And what I should aim at as a mainly-karaoke-but-could-do-disco set up.

[Kernow]

The question came over differently to me.


It's the mention of Rabbitts !!..... "Miss Potter saw the world in a different way":;)

I didn't interpret it as containing any accusations or even implications.
Just a genuine and valid question coupled with a very generous offer of help :).

[Sarahjovi]

Hi,

I use an Alesis 8 channel mixer, although with a Karaoke Player, not a Laptop.

My mic sound is loud and clear! My Mic settings are twice that of the Karaoke and Cd input settings, have you set the top mid and bass for the mics? You may need some more treble if you're sounding muffled.

I not very technical, but I can talk you through my settings if you think that might help!

[paulg]

Thanks, errr...rabbits (can't get used to that name)

Glad you and others read it how it was meant to be read - the trouble with written text is it can be interpreted in different ways depending on your persona unless its accompanied by copious smilies. On forums like this, take everything you read with a large pinch of salt!

You asked about business - currently for me it's very good. I've never been busier and I'm taking in bigger fees.

If I was you, I wouldn't concentrate on karaoke. It's doing OK but it is becoming more of an add on rather than a stand alone offer and it's hard to climb out of the karaoke routine, which seems these days to be concentrated in pubs rather than in the bigger, better paying venues like WMC's and hotels. I'm sure I'll be corrected on that but that's how it is around here. Your better off as a disco that offers karaoke. So, thinking about your equipment issues, I'd renew based on being a disco but keep improving everything you do - sound, lights, skills because there's always someone on your shoulder who'll otherwise do things better.

We also partner with other businesses - for example, we already partner with other DJ's and we're starting partnering with a new but really good bouncy castle provider and a Hog Roast! Costs us next to nothing to add on (infact it reduces some costs) but it will bring in work. It's worth thinking about to build up a customer base.

Finally, doing well is more about attitude than anything and you seem too have a very positive and unquestioning attitude. Don't lose it. It'll help you in business.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the comments and advice. Really good ideas about the bouncy castle and hog roasts add ons to the karaoke, especially as the summer months are coming up. I'll have to bear that in mind.
With regard to business, I don't want to jump in above my head first my first gigs, i'd rather start off in other small pubs and clubs to start with, then as you say, improve on my equipment, skills etc and move up the scale from there. Otherwise, i'll spend a load of cash on stuff i dont really know how to use and it will tell in my performance, then i'll get no more bookings.

Hi Sarah

Thanks for the advice with the Alesis 8. My main problem is that i'm still using the headphones socket on my laptop. I need to invest in an external soundcard via the USB. The Alesis USB input is based on a software mixer (ie no actual controls on the Alesis for the USB input). So i've worked out it would be cheaper (and more effective for what i need) to get an exernal soundcard and use the conventional input controls on the mixer, rather than buy a controller for the software mixer. Also get horrific background hum from the headphone socket.
But i'll try the "twice the input" settings on the mics and see if that works for me.
Thanks again.