SoundLab Micro Mixer & Numark M1USB Mixer

[teenypops]

Hi Guys and Gals

I am hoping that one of the genius's on here can help me.

I have a Numark M1 USB mixer http://www.numark.com/product/m1usb and I want to be able to start offering a little bit of karaoke for some of my older kids parties, nothing fancy!

I have bought a SoundLab G105C Micro Mixer http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=EVNG105C

My plan was to use the single Mic input on the Numark to pass in the output from the SoundLab, but for some reason it doesn't work. The output is poor.

If I connect the SoundLab directly into the mic input of my active speakers it works fine.

I would really like to run it via the Numark Mic input because then it would also be usable with my passive speaker setup.

Does anyone have any ideas why this wouldn't work, does the Numark do something to the signal that the speakers don't?

Many thanks in advance

Nathan

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

The Output of the little 4 channel mike mixer is at a very high "LINE" level so im assumeing is overloading your Numarks "MIKE" input.
( Is it horribly distorted ?)
officailly theres no way it can work correctly
unnoficailly if you get your DJ store to make you a little attenuator in a box to sit in the line twixt your soundlab and the numarks mike socket it will cut the 777milivolts output of the soundlab down to the 2 to 10 millivolt input of your numark,
I know alot of guys buying these little 4 channel plus reverb mixers as its a cool / cheap way to give a Kareoke upgrade to your service
they are a good mixer for 20 quid!!!
( not that i can stand kareoke!!)
good luck and let us know how it goes

[teenypops]

Yes it is horribly distorted, sounds - brilliant Thanks

Just got to find someone who can make this for me now, there isn't much around Swindon in way of DJ stores :(

Is this something that I can buy from the web pre made - would really like to get one sorted for Saturday as I am doing a smalll test gig.

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

this will do it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLUBOX-GUITAR-VOLUME-CONTROL-ATTENUATOR-FENDER-ENGL-PEAVEY-BUGERA-AMP-/221014547755?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item33757e5d2b

[teenypops]

so i just plug it in and lower the volume level?
You are a star thanks!!

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

yeah thats it really
ironically it could be done with a plastic box 2 jack sockets 2 resistors and half an hours time...... better buy the one ready made
lets know how it goes Dave

[teenypops]

Thanks again, I'm gonna try ordering one of these and get it shipped quickly, fingers crossed.

[Excalibur]

While Dave and others of his ilk are undoubtedly The Oracles in matters of this nature, and while I appreciate that you wish to dip a toe in the water with minimal cost, if you were to wish to do Karaoke more seriously, then I'd look for a secondhand Behringer or similar, eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-Xenyx-1204-FX-Mixer-/221020255965?pt=UK_Mixers&hash=item3375d576dd

The bigger ones usually don't exceed £100 s/h, and offer versatility.

[Kernow]

I have used the 8 input/stereo version of this little mixer and all I can add is that I find the sound quality better when powered by PP3 battery than by AC adapter. :confused: ;) :D

[teenypops]

While Dave and others of his ilk are undoubtedly The Oracles in matters of this nature, and while I appreciate that you wish to dip a toe in the water with minimal cost, if you were to wish to do Karaoke more seriously, then I'd look for a secondhand Behringer or similar, eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-Xenyx-1204-FX-Mixer-/221020255965?pt=UK_Mixers&hash=item3375d576dd

The bigger ones usually don't exceed £100 s/h, and offer versatility.

Wow loads of knobs and buttons!!

[teenypops]

I have used the 8 input/stereo version of this little mixer and all I can add is that I find the sound quality better when powered by PP3 battery than by AC adapter. :confused: ;) :D

Weird, I bought a power adaptor today so I will let you know if I get the same.

[SoundONE]

I appreciate that you wish to dip a toe in the water with minimal cost, if you were to wish to do Karaoke more seriously, then I'd look for a secondhand Behringer or similar, eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-Xenyx-1204-FX-Mixer-/221020255965?pt=UK_Mixers&hash=item3375d576dd

The bigger ones usually don't exceed £100 s/h, and offer versatility.

I totally agree with Excalibur, I wouldn't even waste my time or money with what you have now, just sell it if you can and rather than spend an extra extra 20 quid on attenulators and additional cables reducing the quality again, with extra connections more cables more mains sockets required it's just more tat to go wrong. For like an extra £10-£20 quid than it would have cost you, you will have a half reasonable mixer, it will have ballanced input and output, various effects, you could pretty much run everything through it including your mixer. If you spent a few quid more you will be able to get one with usb built in and so can record the sets (sell them to the karaoke stars make a bit of extra money) and all mannor of other usefull stuff you can do with the right software.

Save money, save hassle, buy once, buy smart.

[teenypops]

I totally agree with Excalibur, I wouldn't even waste my time or money with what you have now, just sell it if you can and rather than spend an extra extra 20 quid on attenulators and additional cables reducing the quality again, with extra connections more cables more mains sockets required it's just more tat to go wrong. For like an extra £10-£20 quid than it would have cost you, you will have a half reasonable mixer, it will have ballanced input and output, various effects, you could pretty much run everything through it including your mixer. If you spent a few quid more you will be able to get one with usb built in and so can record the sets (sell them to the karaoke stars make a bit of extra money) and all mannor of other usefull stuff you can do with the right software.

Save money, save hassle, buy once, buy smart.

Unfortunately possibly a bad buy then!? oh well you live and learn.

Can anyone recommend a mixer that has USB input as I plug my laptop in via USB and also has the inputs and echo effect synominous with Karaoke.

[SoundONE]

That 1204 fx that was shown to you earlier:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-Xenyx-1204-FX-Mixer-/221020255965?pt=UK_Mixers&hash=item3375d576dd



This is same mixer but usb version 1204usb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-XENYX-X1204USB-Mixer-/180877381724?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2a1d21d05c

You often see these second user, as people start off small and then realise they want more inputs for there band, mics, d.i. boxes, keyboard etc.

If you can get one second hand cheap it's a good deal. even at the full price it aint bad, when you think your spending 40 quid on that complete tat.

[teenypops]

That 1204 fx that was shown to you earlier:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-Xenyx-1204-FX-Mixer-/221020255965?pt=UK_Mixers&hash=item3375d576dd



This is same mixer but usb version 1204usb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-XENYX-X1204USB-Mixer-/180877381724?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2a1d21d05c

You often see these second user, as people start off small and then realise they want more inputs for there band, mics, d.i. boxes, keyboard etc.

If you can get one second hand cheap it's a good deal. even at the full price it aint bad, when you think your spending 40 quid on that complete tat.

Looks very complicated - compared to my Numark M1USB

I can't tell on the picture that it has USB Input - I can see USB output?

[SoundONE]

You still use your numark to mix on as you always do you just simply connect your numark mixer to it. Then for karaoke etc you also connect your mics and other stuff to this mixer and the mics can be ballanced or unballanced, it has various effects halls, reverb, delay etc etc, the output from the beringer goes to your amps/active/speakers again ballanced or unballanced, so its a win win, I would go ballanced all the way.

I know this model does usb output and can be used to record direct to computer software may be included but there are loads that will work, I am not sure if it goes both ways, because I don't actually use this mixer I just know it blows that tat that you were are wasting money on out of the water at not really much more money, especially if you can get one 2nd user and there are normally a few selling.

[teenypops]

You still use your numark to mix on as you always do you just simply connect your numark mixer to it. Then for karaoke etc you also connect your mics and other stuff to this mixer and the mics can be ballanced or unballanced, it has various effects halls, reverb, delay etc etc, the output from the beringer goes to your amps/active/speakers again ballanced or unballanced, so its a win win, I would go ballanced all the way.

I know this model does usb output and can be used to record direct to computer software may be included but there are loads that will work, I am not sure if it goes both ways, because I don't actually use this mixer I just know it blows that tat that you were are wasting money on out of the water at not really much more money, especially if you can get one 2nd user and there are normally a few selling.

Cheers - I am very unexperienced in this area as you may have gathered so appreciate you honesty and advice :D

[teenypops]

You still use your numark to mix on as you always do you just simply connect your numark mixer to it. Then for karaoke etc you also connect your mics and other stuff to this mixer and the mics can be ballanced or unballanced, it has various effects halls, reverb, delay etc etc, the output from the beringer goes to your amps/active/speakers again ballanced or unballanced, so its a win win, I would go ballanced all the way.

I know this model does usb output and can be used to record direct to computer software may be included but there are loads that will work, I am not sure if it goes both ways, because I don't actually use this mixer I just know it blows that tat that you were are wasting money on out of the water at not really much more money, especially if you can get one 2nd user and there are normally a few selling.

Could i connect them up the other way so have the Behringer input into my Numark mixer and then the numark into the amp as normal?

I was wondering if I could then use the usb output of the Behringer and go into the USB input of the Numark (or just use a spare line input)??

[SoundONE]

I'm not sure what that usb port on the numark does, or how you will adjust the levels coming in if it can be done, but why not do it the proper way anyway, thats a turntable mixer and so use it as one, the other is capable of multiple inputs plus the output from the mixer can be a balanced output which has to be better than unbalanced rca phono, I believe that mixer also has phono out which can be controlled as another output i.e. for foldback or monitors and can be switched through the onboard eq and effects. It's very straight forward, its a very basic mixer.

[teenypops]

I'm not sure what that usb port on the numark does, or how you will adjust the levels coming in if it can be done, but why not do it the proper way anyway, thats a turntable mixer and so use it as one, the other is capable of multiple inputs plus the output from the mixer can be a balanced output which has to be better than unbalanced rca phono, I believe that mixer also has phono out which can be controlled as another output i.e. for foldback or monitors and can be switched through the onboard eq and effects. It's very straight forward, its a very basic mixer.

Thanks

[teenypops]

I'm not sure what that usb port on the numark does, or how you will adjust the levels coming in if it can be done, but why not do it the proper way anyway, thats a turntable mixer and so use it as one, the other is capable of multiple inputs plus the output from the mixer can be a balanced output which has to be better than unbalanced rca phono, I believe that mixer also has phono out which can be controlled as another output i.e. for foldback or monitors and can be switched through the onboard eq and effects. It's very straight forward, its a very basic mixer.

Have bitten the bullet and ordered one to be delivered tomorrow, so hopefully I can have a play Friday night in order to be able to use it on Saturday, wish me luck :daft:

[SoundONE]

Roflo,

Don't just take my word for it, there could be better ones, and you should always seek advice from others, I was actually meaning you should lookout for a cheap 2nd user one. But even at that price its a good deal, if I just needed a few karaoke mics and mixer input I would buy one.

Obviously you need a couple of leads, to go from mixer to amps, check you have 3 pin xlr on your amp input and then get a couple of xlr male to female leads and jobs a good one.

I do wish you luck with that, but I am sure you wont regret it, have fun. i'll be online most of tomorrow as have a lot of stuff to sort out for the accountant so If it does all seem a bit new to begin with and you having trouble getting your head around it, feel free to pm me I have owned a lot of large mixing desks so have quite a good understanding of them.

[teenypops]

Roflo,

Don't just take my word for it, there could be better ones, and you should always seek advice from others, I was actually meaning you should lookout for a cheap 2nd user one. But even at that price its a good deal, if I just needed a few karaoke mics and mixer input I would buy one.

Obviously you need a couple of leads, to go from mixer to amps, check you have 3 pin xlr on your amp input and then get a couple of xlr male to female leads and jobs a good one.

I do wish you luck with that, but I am sure you wont regret it, have fun. i'll be online most of tomorrow as have a lot of stuff to sort out for the accountant so If it does all seem a bit new to begin with and you having trouble getting your head around it, feel free to pm me I have owned a lot of large mixing desks so have quite a good understanding of them.

Thanks, I did a bit of research also on reviews etc and seems to be the best option, I was looking at getting a new mixer anyway, so this way it means I don't have to.

Thanks for your help.

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

If anyones thinking of powering these Little mixers by a Power Unit "BEWARE" the power plugs reversed compared to the norm and
as i remember if you power the mixer backwards it lets the smoke out!!!
( use a 9 volt Procell and itll last a good 6 or so months)

[Excalibur]

I've sort of got mixed up by the fast moving pace of this thread, but can I just make a couple of points.

The USB enabled Behringer mixers ( and probably others ) as far as I know don't allow you to use the port as an input. ( Though I stand to be corrected ) You should use conect your laptop to your current mixer as normal, and the input from the mxer, instead of going to your amp, goes into a channel on the large mixer. If there's one labelled tape (in ), that's a good one, as it usually doesn't have all the tone control circuitry you don't need, since your Numark has done that already.
As long as it has a volume control of some sort, you're rigged. If there isn't one of them, just run into any stereo channel, and set the tone controls flat. You then have control of your output as normal.
It's up to you whether you run your DJ mic into the Numark or the large mixer. If you run it into the Numark, you don't get mixed up as much, and don't mute yourself at inopportune moments. :o Set the echo/effects on the mic channels on the large mixer, so that your punters all sound like Pavarotti, or Madonna. ( Yeah right. :fp: ) Good luck.

That's the way I'd do it. Small into large every time.

[SoundONE]

Thats exactly what I told him, I was hoping we may have had some feedback about his mixer. Normally the last channel/channels that's the one(s) on the far right will have both left and right inputs (stereo), or as you say there may be an additional channel dedicated to aux in or tape, although the word tape isnt seen on most new mixers. I don't think you can input into the usb either, it's essentually designed for recording the output of the mixer into digital, but is perfect for recording karaoke singers direct to HDD and then burning there attempts to disc.

[Excalibur]

Thats exactly what I told him, .
So it is, like I said, I got confused.Sorry. :o :o Nice to see we're singing off the same hymnsheet. ;)

[teenypops]

Thats exactly what I told him, I was hoping we may have had some feedback about his mixer. Normally the last channel/channels that's the one(s) on the far right will have both left and right inputs (stereo), or as you say there may be an additional channel dedicated to aux in or tape, although the word tape isnt seen on most new mixers. I don't think you can input into the usb either, it's essentually designed for recording the output of the mixer into digital, but is perfect for recording karaoke singers direct to HDD and then burning there attempts to disc.

Hi guys, no feedback I'm afraid - I was sent the wrong mixer, they sent me the 1204USB as opposed to the X1204USB :-(

I have placed a new order with Thomann and hope to receive middle of this week.

Thanks for all your help guys, I'll be back LOL

[SoundONE]

Did you have a little play with it before sending it back

Thinking about it are you sure its not the same one? Behringer XENYX 1204USB Mixer

did the mixer have the word XENYX on it

[teenypops]

It did have Xenyx on it, but they are 2 distinct models the X has the vocal effects the Xenyx doesn't.

[SoundONE]

ah yes then of course thats what you paid for and thats the whole reason you wanted it, I didn't know there was an x and none x version, the ones I was looking at had effects.

Did you get to have a play though, do you think you will get along with it.

[teenypops]

Didn't play as I had to return it in unused condition :-(