Karaoke Forums

If money is no object, what would be considered the best Karaoke software for a computer-based Karaoke DJ system?  I am currently using MTU Hoster but I'm just not all that impressed with its features.

Also, what about Karaoke creators?  I have some MP3 backing tracks and even some of my own music that I'd like to turn into Karaoke but most of the programs I've experimented with are pretty terrible at creating and editing files.

Thanks!

-Ben

Which ones have you played with and what was bad about them?  A pat on the back is a nice thing but developers (there are several on this board me included) need negitive input about their products so that they can fix whatever is wrong.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Well, MTU Hoster, the one I've had the most experience with has a few usability issues that I don't like (and for less computer savvy can be problems)

For example, how many computer users do you know that tend to double click everything including buttons?  Well, one of my KJ's has a bad habit of double clicking the delete button which deletes the next song on the list automatically.  

Also, it only has one playlist to hold Karaoke, Video, & Audio.  This makes for a cumbersome mix to manage.  A separate DJ/Karaoke list that you can switch back and forth would be more practical (I use iTunes in the background right now).

Again speaking to MTU Hoster, the audio interface is a simple file search.  It would be much nicer to have an MP3 based search like iTunes or even simpler, like Hoster's existing Karaoke database search.

The "next singer" ticker that's included is nothing more than a 2nd window... other programs have an overlay that scrolls a ticker along the bottom directly in the karaoke window which looks alot better.

Right now we use the windows desktop background to display a company/location logo on the screen between songs.  A permanent window with an easily selectable logo would be easier to use.

I guess basically I want it all .  A system that can handle Karaoke, Audio, & Video and do it all perfectly.. that's not too much to ask .

Once you use MTU Hoster and convert your songs over, you can't use those files with any other player, which is the primary reason I am not using Hoster anymore. I was smart enough to already have imported into the more widely use MP3+G Zipped format before converting to Hoster. I am now using one program for karaoke (JustKaraoke) and another for dj (winamp).

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I have 26,000 songs converted to Hoster's KMA format and I'm not exactly excited about re-importing all those CD's but if I can find something better looking and more reliable I just might do it.  I don't know if Hoster's conversion process or the original CD is to blame but alot of songs have corrupted text which is really unprofessional!

SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is a very useful bit of information.  It easy to fix for anyone but most of your basic Windows developers would not have thought ot it.  I didn't and I'm pretty basic (no, wait a minute, I'm pretty C.)  Apparently neither did MTU.

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Okay, who took my pants?

But it makes more sense to auto remove and take that task away from the user like most MP3+G based softwares seem to get. Or put a Are You Sure You Want To Do That box up when you try to remove a song.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Hey Ben,
I have been using PCDJ  VRMred with Karaoke FX. It's been awesome! They have an easier version for beginners to their program, but still very good to get going with. The price is reasonable and you can also add hardware mixer for your rack system, so you don't have to push from mouse pad. Check out PCDJ.com

I think the import or conversion problem may be with the drive you used to rip the tracks in the first place. I use a MTU Drive and have had no quality problems.

If you have discs that have been well worn or dirty then this could contribute to the problem as well.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

C# developer myself which is probably why I focus on the UI and it's useability. If I could afford to spend the time I'd try to write something that conforms to my standards but I think there has to be someone out there who's already written a powerful and robust karaoke system!

Hoster does auto-remove but as I'm sure you know.. there are several popular songs with 45 minute instrumental outtros that I tend to fade manually and then they aren't auto-deleted.  It is actually programmatically possible to capture a double click and make it behave like a single click which would be the preferred solution.  Next step is just getting the attention of developers because of course, everyone with an idea thinks they're idea/problems are the highest priority haha

Nope, the market is still wide open for "Powerful and Robust."  The big problem I found is that no two KJs seem to have the same needs.  Some are singers, some are knob twiddellers, comics, magicians, drunks, and most of them are "next we have (insert name here)" droned singer after singer and they won't be buying your product.  Then there are the folks who can't figure out if they want to be KJs or DJs complete with disco balls and light shows.  Now add to that most of them don't know their DMA from their A$$ or worse, they think they do....  "Powerful and Robust" hasn't happened yet.  If you're planing to build a hosting app., good luck.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Heh, heh.....you certainly summed it up properly.

All I know is MTU's Hoster is trash. They have this proprietary file format that converts your files into giberish that only their program will play....Give them 200 bucks and you can then play your music.

Been there and done that with Hoster, then got my money back and reripped it all again and I play it all for free on any PC or laptop..

I can't believe those guys are still in business.

The last time I tried to chat with the owner of MTU about his silly proprietary format he got beligerant and claimed all that other karaoke software and EVEN MP3 would soon be shut down due to his law suits.....DUH, .....Heh, heh......Never happened, did it?

His loser software is overpriced and lacking in flexibility....but anyone who bought it and bothered to rip 10K in music will defend it to the bitter end.

welcome back, Keith!

Love my MTU Hoster.  Don't mind at all the proprietary format, even though they play the mp3g's as well.

Welcome back Keith!!!!  

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thanks, gents!

Keith Wer Ya been?

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

PCDJ rocks with the karaoke plugin.  It has some great features I haven't found in other software.  There's a 2 channel DJ mixer integrated also.

I find Hoster to be like democracy -- it is the worst system except for all the others. I find its awful user interface choices to be maddening, and am amazed that they haven't gotten a rotation system together by now, but it works. All the rest seem to rely on Winamp, and that and Pacemaker are flaky enough to make hosting a much harder experience than it has to be.

Whoever makes the software design decisions at MTU is terrible at it -- they have no consistency at all in their software. I have used now three versions of Microstudio, and each one did things differently (and not logically). They totally ignore all Windows convention, and things which have been standard in Windows software for over a decade (right click context menus, drag and drop, tabs) are completely ignored. It is infuriating, but I use it because the rest are even worse.

Overall, I find the available karaoke software to really suck. I have written my own which is better from a hosting/rotation standpoint,  but since I am not going to have the time to develop CDG/key changer stuff I am going to have to rely on Winamp, which is building on a house of cards.

                      I LOVE Compuhost!!  My singers LOVE Compuhost! It's easy to use and everything you could possibly want on it. The only drawback is the price, but it has definately been worth it.