Karaoke Forums

Please help me! I am so confused on what direction to go with this whole Kareoke thing. I've asked several Kareoke DJs and I keep getting completely different answers. I want to buy a home kareoke system for my dad and I to practice on. I have a laptop computer that has tons of Ram and I have an external hard drive of 230GB if need be. Where do I go from here? I was told I could get a good system for $150 and others say not for under $600. I don't have to use the pc but I figured that would be the easier and cheaper way to go. Please tell me what kind of system I should go with and whether to go with laptop or the other type(s), the cost, things to look for in a mic, any networking, cabling, etc. Is it ok to use a tv or do we/should we buy something else?

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's sounds like you have little or no music selection. What do you intend to do for songs? Are you going to use discs and a disc player? Are you planning on converting your cd+gs to the laptop? Are you going to buy karaoke downloads?

You will need a hosting program to play the songs on laptop. You will need a program to rip (import) the songs to the computer. You will need a program to name the songs you rip. You will need a karaoke song data base to name them. You will need a PA system of some type.  Meaning a mixer, amplifier and speakers.

How much do you have in the budget? This stuff isn't cheap.  You could do it by Christmas, but it's very doubtful.  You will need a music store, computer guru and an experienced KJ to help you.

There are on-line music stores that sell complete PA systems in package deals.  Like Musicians Friend. Depends on your budget. Again it depends on how big your needs are. Something decent would use at least a 10" speaker and horn combo, with an amplifier pushing 200-300 watts. What about microphones?

So much to do in so little time...

Well, like I said, one KJ told me that he bought his systems on ebay for $150 each. I don't see how that is possible but that's what he said. I would prefer to use the laptop I think because then I could just download the music that I want and not have to buy CDs with bunches of songs that I don't want. Is there any reason to pick the laptop over an all in one system? I'm not too worried about the software stuff unless it's like $500 or something. I was hoping to get a complete system for under $300 not including the music but with everything else. Does that sound reasonable?

I PMed you...PM me back

If he bought a system on ebay chances are it was an illegally pre-loaded hard drive.  It's not legally possible!  If it was just a player then yes it may have been possible.

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sheila33496,

To Practice At Home:
An inexpensive home karaoke systems, consider the CAVS 105G.
You can get it for under $200.00. It comes with a Microphone, Remote, Pitch,
Vocal Reduction and sampler disc. (200 Tracks)
Connect it like a DVD player and you're ready to go. It plays CDG, DVD, CD, and SCDG.

TIP:
As your library increases, whether downloads or discs, this systems offers a unique
ability to play ONE discs with more than 1,000 karaoke tracks... (SCDG)
Don't let the lack of experience of others fool you about the SCDG format.
Purchase a software called CDGFix. It's Awesome!! around $70.00
With this Baby, you can Backup your CDG's, Downloads, and/or SCDG.
You can Repair any track, spots, Out of Sync, and Trim Long Winded Tracks.
You can not only mix these formats but complie them in Any Order. (Custom Compilations)
You have a choice of backing up to various formats:
CD+G - Regular Karaoke
MCG.MP3 - Super CDG format
.BIN - bin file with a cue sheet
Zip files and MP3 files!

Not a bad way to go for Singing at Home for less than $300.00
Setup in less than 5 Minutes!

For my home:
I use the CAVS 203G USB. It has an External Drive (FAT 32) and USB capabilities.
I loaded 50,000 + tracks from my computer.
Best Feature: You don't need a Song Book.
Everything is displayed on screen.

NOTE: Use CDGFix 3.4d - Don't use CAVS IPS Manager! It Has Limitations!


Just A Thought! Hope This Helps!

sw00000p

as someone that has had SERIOUS experience in the CDG field in the last 11 years, I'd highly recommend that you avoid the SuperCDG format.

It's hundreds if not thousands of songs on one disc. Unless you back it up, one scratch and poof, you're DONE.

Many of the SCDGs were made without authorization (the DK ones immediately come to mind).

sheila33496,

My advice is for Home use only, not  for KJ'ing!
For KJ'ing, that's a whole new ball game.
For Home Use, I prefer the CAVS 203G USB.
No Worry of Scratches, No Discs, No Ink, No Printing.
It will play your Discs, but you don't have to use them. Save you origianls.
Simply go down to the nearest Karaoke store or Download from sites like..
Tricerasoft and Enjoy.

Should you decide to KJ later, the money you save for not printing:
Binders, Sheet protects, etc., etc. can be put toward your investment.

Wow, what a savings!
And Its Legal!

sw00000p

Thanks for the great advice. I'm going to try and find the system that you have listed here and hopefully it will meet my needs. As I had stated, I'm new to the Kareoke Home System thing but I just want something to practice on at home. I'm not looking to become a KJ and I don't need 1000's of songs. So thanks so much for the info!!!!

Yes, I found out that it wasn't the whole system, just the player I guess.

I recommend the Unify karaoke software system.  Since u already have a note book comp.  Just install the software and follow instructions and then download cd-g or vcd, dvd karaoke songs to your comp.  And it comse with a remote for easy use.  Great software for karaoke.    Type unify karaoke and you'll find the site.  Good luck.

I'd be very leary of buying it. Essentially the cdg tracks are mp3+g. The sample they let you see on their site is a Music Maestro sample... and they're out of business, so there's NO WAY that some of their library is legal. Let the Buyer Beware... that many songs that cheaply... no way would I trust that.

Home use... MAYBE! But in my mind, they're no better than the hard drive sellers on Ebay or other online auctions.

I tell ya what's funny...

http://www.unifykaraoke.com/english/blacklist.htm

I'll admit their touch screen options on their hardware and software interface looks interesting.

Ok, so please help! I know this sounds like a lot but can you please tell me (for under $600 complete) what system to buy including everything!!! I mean, even if I have to buy it in pieces from different places. And everyone seems worried about the songs but that's the least of my concerns. Maybe I don't understand what you guys are talking about. For instance I have over 3000 pirated regular songs, can't you do the same thing with Kareoke music or at the very least, do like they have on Apple where you pay $1 a download? Correct me if I'm wrong on this. That's kind of why I was hoping to use my laptop.

I'm almost as confused as I was before this forum..... agghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Whether  you use your LAPTOP or a conventional CDG player --all you have with either is a PLAYER .

Home use - start out with a cdg player -any player that has a digital key control
You should pay no more than $150. FOR THE PLAYER ONLY .

my opinion would be to stay with CDG versus DVD or SCDG etc.
Get a simple player to play your cdg's . VOCOPRO / RSQ / etc/

As far as your music --sure you can buy CDGS online anywhere  or at your local WALMART or music store.   You can also DOWNLOAD and burn to disc --but you will need special software and special CD BURNERS so I suggest you do not go that route at first.
so now that you have a PLAYER and some MUSIC --the real key is the SOUND SYSTEM you will be playing and singing out of !

Get yourself a "POWERED MIXER"  AND SOME SPEAKERS -  TRY VISITING A GUITAR CENTER OR GO ONLINE to Musicians Friend dot com and look at PA SYSTEMS for home use you will be able to get a system you can afford.
try this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630287

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=240226

get a few cdgs and you all set

for home use, I recommend the AKJ7xxx mixer/amps. I have the 7000, the 7050 is the same thing with a fan on the back of the unit to keep it colder...

I have a MackieDFX12 (still wish I'd have gotten the CFX model... that midrange is very apparent!) once I wanted to expand.

Here is part of an email I sent a freind wanting to set up karaoke for his teenage daughter he was really unsure of what he wanted so it is very basic.  I know you are leaning toward a computer system but that may actually be a more complex way to go.


  The standard format for Karaoke CDs is called CD+G or sometimes just called CDG. There are other formats SCDG, NeoG, Karaoke DVD these all require a special player that will play them. Most of  these are compressed formats that allow more songs on a CD. The compressed  formats are more likely to suffer lost data and freeze or drop words if the disk is dirty or scratched. Also different companies are promoting different formats (like the old VHS and BETA). Almost all the players play CD+G. Some are compatible with other formats. It is ok to buy a player that will play other formats in addition to CD+G, but my advice is to only buy music on the standard CD+G.  I have went through a couple  players and sometime in the future may have to look for one again I think I will always be able to find a player to play my CD+G collection of songs.

  There are three basic ways to set up to sing karaoke in your home.  The easiest way is with an all in one system with a built in TV monitor (color monitor being better and more expensive than B&W).  With an all in one you just plug to the wall and you are ready. Like a stereo usually the bigger the speaker and wattage of the amp the better the sound. Be sure the Microphones use standard  plugs (most do).  The microphones that come with the systems are usually not very good in sound or sturdiness and you may need or want to replace them at some later date. Biggest disadvantage is you are always singing  into the speaker.

   The second type is a all in one system without a TV monitor built in. You can hook it up to any standard  TV with a component plug. I like having the TV on a stand in front of me and the speakers behind me. Word of caution avoid using Karaoke with TVs you want to use as a TV the problem is you can get burn in on your screen. So use an old one or buy one just for karaoke.

   The third and most professional way is to use a karaoke player hooked up to a separate PA system (consisting of mics, mixer, amp and speakers made for music and live vocals)  and separate TV.  This is the only way to get really killer sound. It is also the most difficult way to set up.  Some players are advertised to hook up to your home stereo or home theater system.  Don’t do it. The unregulated live vocals will ruin your speakers.

   Karaoke CDs come as individual CDs or in sets. Sets are nice way to collect a variety of music when you first start. Of course some people only collect songs of their favorite artists and that is another way to go, some artists have collections of 50 or a 100 songs just of that artist. Sets and cds are offered that cater to all kinds of special types of music, country, rock, pop, gospel childrens music and many others.  A lot of mine are country sets sold as the best country of different decades 50s, 60s.etc.  Some CDs have the songs recorded twice one track is a karaoke song with no lead singer and the other is a demonstration track with a lead singer (not the original singer). This can be good if you don’t know the song but these cds are generally more expensive on a per song basis. I generally buy the cd+gs without demos.  Since the music is almost never the original music the quality of the recording vary from company to company.  Some companys I think are that are very good are Soundchoice and Chartbuster. Soundchoice is probably the very best but Chartbuster is almost as good especially in country music and Chartbuster is somewhat cheaper.  Having the best may not be the most important thing as long as the recordings are of songs you like and don’t totally stink. Some online sites let you listen to part of the songs online. People that enjoy singing often find that after a few years they have a lot of money invested in the music because it is so much fun to master a new song.

  If you want to get a more professional system try The Guitar Center. (I had given instructions to get to our local one) They have great prices and can advise you on what to buy.  Also you (my friend) mentioned karaoke.com I have bought some things from them and never had any problems.  There are several other karaoke companies online but I have never ordered from them. (I also told my friend about a nearby local karaoke store where he could buy music and other equipment at internet prices or less. You might check around to see if you have any karaoke retail stores in your area.)  


Hope this helps.

Jmi-n-TN

My recommendation for a newbie:  Simplicity.   I wouldn't use VocoPro professionally, but the make a hell of an all in one system- just hook to your TV and sing.

  The self-contained unit has 2 45 watt speakers ( just fine for a home area- you'll never turn it all the way up).  Digital Key control, 2 separately controlled mic inputs, 5 channel equalizer, echo and other effects. It also has 2 ( dubbing) tape decks to internally record your performances, as well as make copies,  a head phone jack in case he sings at night , AM/FM.  I am a long time professional Karaoke Host, and this is what I use to practice at home, in my 22' x 16' office.

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