What equipment do I need for recording vocals, plus karaoke?

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bryann

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I'm a total newbie to this and need help with figuring out what to purchase.

I have two use cases: recording vocals, and doing karaoke. For both of these I would probably need at most two mics (at least for now). I'm thinking I want to buy two SM-58s, an audio interface (I was looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2), and two good pairs of headphones. For karaoke, I want to be able to have two mics plugged into the audio interface into my laptop, but rather than using headphones, I want to have some big speakers playing a mix of the vocals and the karaoke track.

Can I get some suggestions on whether the above equipment works for my use cases, or what else I should get instead or add? I'm aiming for a budget of $500 for the whole setup, but that can be adjusted.

One thing I'm worried about is whether the audio interface will support both use cases, or if I need to have certain ports on my laptop for output of the mixed vocals and karaoke track.

Thanks!!
 
Are you talking about real karaoke or just putting a backing track in your DAW and singing to it? There is a big difference. If you have software that plays a list of songs, you probably want reverb. If so, for ease of use, best if the live effects come from the mixer (on board effects).

At first pass, what you have described will do the job, but depending on how you want to really use it, how satisfactory the setup will do what you want is the question.
 
Audio interface for recording.
Mixer (with built-in effects like reverb) for live performance.

You could get away with something like the Mackie ProFX-USB mixers, which have a stereo USB output (you can push one mic to the left, one to the right and record on separate tracks), and would allow you to monitor backing tracks inserted into the DAW through the return-USB and headphone output. Main outputs to powered speakers for 'live' use.
Unless you get lucky finding used gear, your $500 won't get it all.
 
You can send effects through your daw. No need for a mixer with built in effects. A Focusrite 2i2 should be fine. Use the main outs for the speakers and if you need a headphone out, there's one on the front as well. $500 would get you 2 58's, mic cables and the interface, but not speakers. Those are going to cost more than that.
 
Thanks for the responses.

To answer DM60, I want to be able to do real karaoke. I'm not sure what the differences are between this and singing to a track playing in a DAW -- I'm completely new to recording so I've never even used a DAW :o Although I see what you mean as far as effects such as reverb, I guess.

It looks like the main decision I need to handle is whether to get a mixer or not. If I send effects through the DAW as DSPDiva suggested, am I going to run into any issues, such as lag, that using a mixer would prevent?
 
bryann said:
Thanks for the responses.

To answer DM60, I want to be able to do real karaoke. I'm not sure what the differences are between this and singing to a track playing in a DAW -- I'm completely new to recording so I've never even used a DAW :o Although I see what you mean as far as effects such as reverb, I guess.

It looks like the main decision I need to handle is whether to get a mixer or not. If I send effects through the DAW as DSPDiva suggested, am I going to run into any issues, such as lag, that using a mixer would prevent?
Click to expand...

Plus, if you're at a party or having a party, then you have the whole queue list problem. I have a buddy, every Saturday night, he fires up his laptop and start searching for songs. People ask for that and this and so a list of songs start to accumulate through out the night. If you go through your daw, you will need to figure out how how to route the music from the karaoke player, to your daw and throw your effects and then route from the daw back out to the speakers. Vs putting the background music on a track and singing to it. Get my point? That is why I asked.

I would still think an audio interface would give you a higher grade sound over the sound card (plus you can use it for recording). If you're on a Windows machine, just route all sound through your interface. Have the outs go to the mixer (either 1/4" or RCA, there are usually CD returns or something like that). The mix the return to you mi inputs for balance. If you have on board effects on the mixer, turn them on and there you go Don Ho. Tiny Bubbles (older guys will get that).

I think that is worth $0.04.
 
Ok, I think I'm going to go ahead and get a mic and the Focusrite 2i2 (since it seems it'll be useful regardless) and mess around with it for a while. Once I learn more about what can be done with the DAW, etc, I'll buy some more stuff.

Thanks for the advice!
 
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