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The KJs that didn't want to play my discs all have one thing in common. They're using a PC laptop, not sure what program, and they have to rip the CD before they can play it. This means they also have to type in the title & artist for each track, unless it's a commercial disc that they can look up on the online database.

What a pain! I wouldn't want to deal with that either.

FYI:  The Apple Mac program I use (kJams Pro) can play a track from a CD+G without ripping it or naming it. (if you want to rip/import it, then it makes you get the title & artist from one of the online databases or type it in for custom CDs)

I will not sing at a venue that doesn't accept my discs. They are burned in my key, so no fumbling thru a book and no trying to remember what key. When they get all scratched up from careless KJs, then I burn a fresh one. Master discs are locked up and kept for license purposes only.

Interesting twist this last week... the KJ suggested that I bring my files in on a USB flash drive, then she doesn't have to rip my discs (about 5 minutes per disc and she can't use the karaoke software while it rips)

Sheesh. Get a Mac. No hassles, no viruses.

No hassles except finding common programs and taking out a second mortgage to pay for it.

Well let's see.. A cd could auto load without any visual indication and run several hundred MB of virus in seconds. A flash drive can be examined via widows explorer or even be scanned for virus. If they can put a virus on a flash drive they can put it on a cd as well..

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a virus won't bother a physical disc player, such as a RSQ505!

I wouldn't take an original disc to another KJs show unless i saw how they take care of their discs.  I have seen a lot of discs people take to karaoke and the KJs ruined them.  They scratched them.  Whether it was intentional or accidental really doesn't matter.  The disc is ruined.  Take a copy and save your original.  Some KJs are jerks and may just scratch it intentionally to spite you.

Not that I use the computer player, in Hoster you can just temporarily import the track by number if need be (while another song is playing) - no actual ripping or naming of anything, you can if you want, but there is no need to in order to make it work.  It loads into the playlist, you place it where you want & play it when it comes.  When you shut down, the song file deletes so as not to remain on the computer as an illegal track that you didn't purchase.  
But then again, I use a separate player for customer discs, just nice to know the option is there.

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Come to my computer show and i can play your disc.  It was a priority for me to have this capability.  And singers like it.

And where would your shows be.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

True Matt but I,m still not going to pack one around.


For the first time in months I heard a stranger asking Greg if we played cd's He said no but did they want? Oh that's alright Do you have Stay by Sugarland?

The only time we play cd's anymore are at private shows and then just the original mp3 cd's.

3 or 4 years ago in Branson Mo. I found myself hauling in more than 300 cd's. As I was putting them back in the trunk a light went off I said this is crap. Since then I have never taken a cd to any show.

If I go elsewhere now I have the laptop anyway If I have a burning desire to sing a certain song I'll ask the KJ if he plays from flash drives Then I just transfer and away we go.  In a couple of cases we actually hooked the laptop into their system. In both cases the sound improved so much the audience noticed right away. The singers scrambled for the one book I brought in.

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I'm not a KJ, but hoping to start my own show...and I do try to look at it from the KJ view point as well as the viewpoint of the singer.  When I go to a show, I try to use the KJ discs whenever possible simply out of respect for the KJ.  However, there are some songs that have a VERY wide range of versions on karaoke discs, and I have my own version I prefer to sing to...I that case I will prefer to use my disc if they have the song.  Other than that I will only request to use my disc if they don't have the song or their disc won't play.  I also feel that if you're going to bring your own discs, you should care for them and you should not expect the KJ to play burned discs...it's illegal afterall.  If you're concerned about scratches, you can get protective covers that go on them and they can still be played with them on.  I have had 1 KJ refuse to play my discs because he has no player in his setup...only a computer.  The problem with this is he had the worst selection I've ever seen...and this was for a contest.    I personally feel it's a matter of KJ preference...I don't think it's rude if you refuse to play customer discs (but you should refuse all customer discs or have rules in place), but you need to have a good selection if you're going to refuse them.  If someone wants to use their disc, do what I have done when I'm not sure if the song will play...have a backup ready to go...even if it's just some dance music for a minute or two.

I ALWAYS bring my own discs. Ive brought them to Lonnies place, Ive brought them to Matts place. Ive brought them to Flipper's place. Ive brought them to the Karaoke Bar in Canby when Ive went and visited Charmin and Odie, and every other one I go to. Why?? Because I ONLY sing obscure stuff that most dont have! I even like to play a little game with new KJ's I meet---THE KJ CHALLENGE---If they do in fact have the song I brought with me---then Ill buy them a shot or thier favorite mixed drink!! If they dont have it,  then they owe me! Havent been turned down yet! I especially like to do this with the computer people(as they are usually VERY PROUD of their huge collections). And its been about 75-25 as to who gets the shot-in my favor. (Usually only the 50000 and above song lappie shows that have them-and Ive even beaten a few of them--Lonnie--do you remember that ZYDECO CDG I that you helped me find?????). But if they WONT or CANT use my disc because they dont have play capabitly on their laptop or dont have a stand-alone machine then Im forced to sing something of theirs that Im either unfamilar with or dont care for the version. Case in point---Muddy Waters "Mannish Boy". The SC Version has a applaude track in the background throughout the song and its REALLY IRRITATING. My version is clean with no applaud track and the instrumentation is more true to the original. So I sing the SC version IF IM MADE TO because the KJ wont play my own. But its not pleasant and I dislike it greatly. So I simply wont be back to their place again. What would be the point?? I go to SING THE SONGS AND VERSIONS that I prefer and am familiar with. This gives me the most enjoyment.  So I dont go back.

And to my mind if a KJ wont accommodate my or other's desires to use our own discs, then its a matter of arrogance or laziness and certainely not about providing GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE for thier clients that happen to bring their own cd's.

Now it IS UP TO THE KJ to determine if a CD is in good enough condition to play. If its pitted or deeply scratched-hand it back and tell them it wont play on their machine---IT IS THE RESPONSIBLILTY Of THE SINGER TO HAVE GOOD CONDITION CDS THAT WILL ACTUALLY PLAY AND NOT DISRUPT THE SHOW!

Oh and I ALWAYS bring store-bought originals kept in a nice sleeve carrier and brought up in a CD Jewel case. As to bring up a zip-drive to import on thier laptops----I would say no way!! Too easy to destroy a hard-drive with a virus.

But anyway thats where I am on bringing my own cd's. If you can play them u have just gained a VERY LOYAL long-time follower of your show. If not I wont be back again. Niether will I be talking your place up to my friends or bringing them with me for repeat visits(to your show OR that bar) And from my own experience KJ'ing, there's too many people that bring their own to turn them all away. So have the capability available.

And remember-----ITS ALL ABOUT BUILDING A FOLLOWING!!!!! AND LIKE ANY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS-----SERVING YOUR CUSTOMERS NEEDS.

AND NOT PLAYING TO YOUR OWN EGO!!

FINALLY CONSIDER THIS:
The bottom line of the bar/venue:
The KJ may not be concerned with or care about turning customers and repeat business away becuase he wont play someones disc----but what he's really doing is turning BAR SALES AWAY AND CAUSING LOST REVENUE by driving off those custies who otherwise would come, stay and visit REPEATEDLY and LOYALLY LONG-TERM  along with bringing THIER FREINDS for parties, group meetings, nights out, etc etc. Something Im sure the bar owner wouldnt be too happy about.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Agreed 100% Candisings.. The service is down temporarily on the web site but if you plan to attend one of our shows you can search our data base for your songs. If you need a particular brand contact us and I will check and see which manu we have. Most of ours is SC &  THM. If you require another one please put it in zip form on a flash drive & We will be happy to play it for you.

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I would never bring original disks to a place I didn't know -- too much chance of theft (or mor e likely, me forgetting them). I paid too much for them.

I have now been to nearly a hundred different karaoke venues, and have never had someone refuse to play burned disks if they played disks at all.

One thing I forgot in my post...the kj that "couldn't" play discs and had no selection...I will never go to his shows again.  

In response to mckyj57...I always take original discs.  They all have my name on them.  They are all protected.  If I don't trust the venue, the discs stay in the car and I only bring in the ones I want.  If I don't trust the host to care for them, I don't use them, I leave, or I put a wrap on em...very simple.  I always have someone with me that watches my discs when I'm away from them or my case is behind the bar.  I now have a locking case as well.  And I'm too anal to forget them or let them walk off...I know every disc I have, and where it should be.  I have no fear about something happening to them.  It shouldn't happen if you and the KJ know how to handle discs, but...frankly, if they get scratched, they can be fixed...stolen, that's what insurance is for.  If you take ILLEGAL copies to a show, and the KJ plays them, they can be in really hot water.  

Here's a tip for the KJ's that have a computer for their system...most of us have our songs on CD, and if you don't have the songs we want to sing and no way to play our songs...we're probably not coming back.

And I will say I again I will not play burned cd's.

Repeat from above.

The service is down temporarily on our web site but if you plan to attend one of our shows you can search our data base for your songs. If you need a particular brand contact us and I will check and see which manu we have. Most of ours is SC &  THM. If you require another one please put it in zip form on a flash drive & We will be happy to play it for you.

We run a very fast paced show and things like this should be worked out beforehand. We make every attempt to accommodate everybody If it is an inconvenience sorry but we do not play cd's.

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Good for you for not playing burned CDs!!  I'm not trying to slam you or anything...I think it's great that you do encourage people to check out your song list and bring songs on a flash drive if you don't have the song they want.  If I was in Colorado, and had everything available to me to do that, I certainly would.  Unfortunately in my case, I don't have a flash drive or any way to put karaoke files succesfully onto computer.  I do commend you for having that as an option for your customer though.  The KJs around here using computers don't...they just flat out say we're stuck with their selection whether we like it or not....and that's where I have a serious problem with computers in karaoke.

we always announce it like this---"hey everoone!  this is just a reminder that you CAN bring your own discs in to sing from.  we'll rip a temporary file to the software for you so you can sing the version you are used to, but remember, this method sometimes doesn't make a good file and there may be some problems."  this way you let folks know that you have the capability plus you've taken any blame from you and put it on the singer whose disc you are using.  works great for us

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"I would never bring original disks to a place I didn't know -- too much chance of theft (or mor e likely, me forgetting them). I paid too much for them."

Unfortunately I dont have the luxury of having a Karaoke burner on my puter. And it would be more expenseive to find someone with a burner to burn my originals and keep pestering them to burn more as I add more to take with me.  So I take my originals. Again I bring them up in a clean jewel case and have had no problems to date with KJ's mistreating them or dropping them. In fact they are more afraid of damaging them than I am!! etc. Ive only had one instance where I forgot to get my disc back---but the KJ was conciencous and held on to it for me until next week when I went back and retrieved it.

As to playing burns---I am always hesitant to play them for all the reasons listed above. But so as not to disappoint the custie I will try the disc---ONCE. And inspect it CAREFULLY before using it and point out the ROUGH CONDITION its in---if its so bad I will just hand it back and tell them our machine wont read it--DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER CHOICE??? And they are usually agreeable to that. BUT NEVER EVER FLAT OUT REFUSE THEM!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Actually you can get a cd/dvd writer pretty cheap these days - I found a LiteOn for $20 brand new on a clearance rack, and MTU Microstudio (allows compilations, burn in different keys, eliminate vocals & record your singing as wll if you want), under $100 for both!

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Is Microstudio one of those that will let you sync your own words onto a audio track to create your own original Karaoke tracs?? Ive been wanting to do that with some of those blues tunes I sub on SS with my original lyrics. Kinda create and bring your own ya know?? Does that burner and microstudo let you burn in CDG format? or MUST it be DVD????

Do you have specific model and manufacture numbers to order one and also compatibility with particular puter models and window versions???

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT