Karaoke Forums

As a singer you don't need the most expensive mic. Even the Behringer XM8500 would a fine bring your own mic that is affordable yet still sounds decent.

Hmmm, something to consider, Behringer XM8500 with loads of positive reviews.

Out of 31 user reviews: Twenty-two 5 stars, six 4.5 stars and three 4 stars. Not bad for only $23.00

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... microphone

Hmmm, something to consider, Behringer XM8500 with loads of positive reviews.

Out of 31 user reviews: Twenty-two 5 stars, six 4.5 stars and three 4 stars. Not bad for only $23.00

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... microphone

The Behringer XM8500 should not be priced at only $25. It is an amazing mic, especially for the price. And you even get a nice foam padded travel/storage case that's included in the price! Most of the other big brands don't even give you a beautiful case like this, yet are charging much, much more for their mics.

I have a group of 6 singers that regularly come to my shows and one of the singers from that group just bought 6 of these mics and is going to give them to the other 5 singers.

The bottom line is that if your a singer who goes to shows on a regular weekly basis, you should have your own mic. Especially during these times. I am really pushing this issue and so far, people are becoming very receptive to the idea. Especially that you can get a pretty darn good mic for very low cost.

This would be the ultimate way for a singer to protect themselves. All hosts should strongly suggest their singers use their own mics.

All I can say and add is "keep that cord sanitized"

Friends, look at it this way...

Most activities that people are engaged in require you to have your own equipment. A golfer is going to have his own set of clubs. And if you're into tennis, you're going to have your own racket. A bowler is going to have his own ball. And the list goes on and on.

So, why should karaoke be any different? Yes, by the same token, a singer should have their own microphone. Period! It is more crucial now than ever before. You don't want to be sharing anything during these times, especially a microphone.

And even though most karaoke hosts will be making an effort to wipe down the mics after each performance, it's still much better and safer to have your own mic and not have to share it with anyone.

Really? So for each performance you plan to let the singer plug their mic into your mixer? Each time? Really? Then they're getting their germs on your mixer. If they use your mic cord, aren't they going to be spreading germs that way too? You would always have a situation where they are touching your equipment or you are touching theirs. What if the singer's mic has a short and fries your mixer? What if the singer claims your system fried their mic? I guarantee that if bowling balls and golf clubs had to "plug" into a sensitive electrical system that was owned by the establishment, it would be a completely different story.

As a singer, I predict that singers bringing their own mics will NEVER catch on. Ever. Singers like high quality wireless mics and there's no way that everyone taking turns plugging in their own receiver boxes is ever going to fly. A decent wireless mic costs over $500. This isn't like golf. It's not a competition where people keep score. No one is going to invest that kind of money into something they only do for fun when they're drinking. A small fraction may, but most won't. One of the biggest draws of karaoke, other than the facts that it's in public and there is alcohol available, is the fact that the singer gets to sing on a sound system that is far better than something they could afford at home. ...and that includes the mic. The moment you start to ask singers to bring their own mics is the moment they walk down the street and visit the KJ who makes their life easier, because that's the reason they are going to the bar in the first place after a hard week at work.

Your entire job is to cater to the singers. The moment you forget that is the moment you start to lose your appeal to them. Alan, if you do implement this rule, just for <span style=font-size:10px><i>(@$%&#!)</i></span> and giggles, please do us a favor and take video of the crowd's reaction the moment you announce it. I think you'll have your answer real quick in the looks on their faces.

First of all, I don't know where you got the idea about customers buying wireless mics. I have never said that. I am talking about a singer buying their own WIRED mic such as the highly recommended Behringer XM8500. A great mic that rivals the Shure SM58 yet it's priced at only a fraction of the cost at only $25.

As far as pluging in... I will already have an XLR mic cable connected to mixer all ready to go. So all a customer has to do is come up with their mic and plug the other end of the cable into their mic.

And as for saying it's never going to catch on... I already have 6 singers who will be using their own mic... the recommended Behringer one. Most singers like the idea and are willing to do whatever they can to be safe. And $25 is a small price to pay in an effort to make that happen.

Also, I am not forcing this. I am highly recommending it but the choice is up to the singer. I will still be using wireless mics that I will clean and sanitize, and change mic covers after each performance. But even with all that, I still feel having your own mic is the way to go.

I actually agree with Alan on this one. Either bring your own mic or windscreens are the only surefire ways to protect your singers. Can they walk around wherever they want, no but it sure beats getting the virus from another singer. I have 2 of the Behringer mics on the way for my roommate and I. I am actually going to be using my EV wired mic to tell the difference between my roommate's and mine.

Really? So for each performance you plan to let the singer plug their mic into your mixer? Each time? Really? Then they're getting their germs on your mixer. If they use your mic cord, aren't they going to be spreading germs that way too? You would always have a situation where they are touching your equipment or you are touching theirs. What if the singer's mic has a short and fries your mixer? What if the singer claims your system fried their mic? I guarantee that if bowling balls and golf clubs had to "plug" into a sensitive electrical system that was owned by the establishment, it would be a completely different story.

Personally speaking, as a singer, if I was going to go out to sing karaoke, I would make sure I could bring my own mic. If I couldn't, then I wouldn't go. I would never again use a "shared" mic and take a risk of getting something. It's not worth it to me.

In these times, we're not just talking about maybe getting a cold or a sore throat from using a shared mic. We're talking about a life or death situation.

And while a lot of people could care less about social distancing and doing the right thing... many of us do... and are willing to whatever it takes including taking extra precautions to be safe and protect ourselves. And that includes having your own mic.

I personally feel that a singer that has their own mic has always been a good idea. But now it's critical. I have no doubt that if the karaoke host starts suggesting singers buy their own mic, especially when they find out they can get a really good professional mic at very little cost, it's going to fly.

As a host, I would rather take 10 seconds to wipe down a mic cable than have to replace mic covers and disinfect the mic after each performance. Less work for the host and safer for the customer. It's a no brainier.

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