How to get started

[alpine62uk]

Hi, could anyone please suggest a good way to setup Kjams taking into consideration the following.

This will be used at home, we all love to sing and would like to get good sound output.

I would like to use the Digitech vocalist live 3 as I was given one by a friend but in all honesty have never used it, can this be added to the setup?

We have a Mac Book Pro, I would like to know what would I need to get sound out to an Amp and the mic set up including using the Digitech?

Basically, I need to understand the best way to get this setup, we have no experience with any kind of Karaoke setup so please understand we have no technical Knowledge.

We are not looking to do this on the cheap as we would like to get good sound out, I think we should be able to handle our voice output using the Digitech voclaist live 3?

Thanks

Tony

[dave]

the only problem with the vocalist is that it is for only one mic.
usually you have two or more mics.

but if you're fine with that, all you need is a good analog mixer / amp, and some cables from radio shack.
plug them together like this

Code: Select all

mics -> Vocalist -
                  \
                   -> mixer / amp -> speakers
                  /
        computer -

[alpine62uk]

Thanks Dave, if I need more than one mic, what would be a good alternative to the vocalist? also do you have any recommendations for a good analog mixer. Regarding the cables, what will i need from the computer to the mixer?

Tony

[dave]

i would just not use the "vocalist", just use the mixer directly, plug all your mics, plus the computer, into that.

for the cable, just look at the connector types on each end, and get a cable that fits. eg: on the computer end, you have a mini-stereo-headphone jack, and on the mixer you have whatever you have, XLR, RCA, Phono-jack or whatever. then get the cable that fits.

just google "analog mixer" i guess, i don't know what's the best.

[alpine62uk]

Hi Dave, I keep reading the use of Garage band, I have garage band on my mac but only tried to use it a few times.

If I was to use garage band would I need a mixer, I would like to get reverb and echo on the mic's, so I assume I would use mic's into the computer not a mixer? Would i still need a mixer.

After that said, how would I setup Kjams to work with Garageband.

Probably stupid questions but appreciate the help

Thanks

Tony

[dave]

not stupid questions cuz it's non-trivial.

you only need an analog mixer if you can't stand the latency produced by using digital audio for your mic.

but if you're fine with that, try this tutorial on using Garage Band with kJams

[alpine62uk]

Thanks, I think I will still go with the mixer.

regarding the mixer, what do you think would be the minimum I would need in terms of function, I am not looking for the cheapest, something that we can grow into, rather than buying something just to get by with now then needing to change later for more functionality. . I have googled and there are so many options, Would welcome some suggestions.

Also I have a little problem with installing Kjams, I had it installed (lite version) and had some difficulties, so uninstalled and just tried to re install. Now on the install I get the message,
There was a problem locating your "Kjams music" folder, Any ideas

Thanks again

Tony

[dave]

i'd get a mixer that has nice physical sliders, not just knobs, and allows at least one stereo input and three mono inputs. the stereo one will be taken by the computer, and the rest by your mics. usually you have two mics for singers (for duets) and one for you, the host, to use for EmCee'ing the show.

as to the "problems", please email me directly and we'll sort it out