Karaoke Forums

I have been to a lot of karaoke shows in my area, as a singer, and I am constantly disappointed at two things:

  A) Lack of a monitor speaker
  B) Lack of a secure area for the singer

The venues where both monitor and secure singing area is present are few and far between. Maybe it is just my relative inexperience, but I find it very disconcerting to have people leaning into me when I sing. And I find it very difficult to sing when I can't hear myself.

What do you KJs do about this, or lacking A or B what do you suggest the singer do to compensate?

Well my current place has a stage, but it's 'crazy' small...I would say it's pry 4' wide x 12' Long and the dance floor isn't much better...it's about 12' X 12'!

I normally don't run with a monitor speaker, yet I have one.  I have found the need for it.  If I could use it and get a significantly better result, then I would put it in place.  Maybe it's what my gig needs, just been putting it off really.....MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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I have a stage and a monitor. I have to use a monitor because my speakers are positioned in front of the singers. They would not be able to hear themselves sing other wise. It all depends on your set up if you need a monitor or not.

I love having a stage. It helps me keep order on a busy night. It is sort of an invisible barrier for the crowd to keep their distance. Plus I think it makes the singer feel more like it is there moment. I know a stage is subject to opinion. Some people like them, some people don't.

I have to agree with you on both aspects. The singer should be able to hear themselves sing and a stage is a nice bonus for several reasons.

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A) a monitor is not necessary if it is possible to have a MAIN pointing back at the singer.  I actually prefer this method.  I am usualy set up near the singer, then it is easier for me to here the mix.  Most place I gig at are smaller and there is no room for a monitor, or is not practical to have one.  BUT, if a monitor is necassry, usualy in larger venues, I will set one up.  But at most of my venue it is not necessary.

B)  Yes, that is nice for not only the singer, but for me too.  But again, at smaller venues it may not be possible becasue a "stage' would take up too much room.

Again, the lack of a stage and/or monitor dosen't make a bad kj/venue, some times it is just not possible to fit them in.

BTW, I have NEVER had a singer complain about the lack of a monitor.  The only ones how complain or other KJs that frequent my shows and use monitors.  And the said thing is, that most of thoes KJs that complain, have no clue how to use one anyway.  Or at least that has been my expeerince when I was visiting thier shows.

My original post did mention that I recognized that when the speakers are placed pointing at the singer, one is not necessary.



I don't complain about that, really -- I complain about not being able to hear myself.

I do recognize that a stage might not be possible; but even a corner where no one will traverse to get to the restroom will do.

If the venue is large enough to accomodate a stage and the bar is 100% committed to Karaoke then I believe a stage area is warranted, and should be provided.

However to get the bar owner to commit or give up quality square footage in their bar for Karaoke is difficult. The bar may only have karaoke 1-2 days a week 3-5 hours on those days. The rest of the time the floor space may be utilized for other activities such as gaming, or food service etc. Alot of places want karaoke but are not willing to accomodate a permanent fixture until they are sure it's gonna prove itself in their establishment, and then once it does getting them to fork over the $'s is another.

As for monitors it really depends on the setup. I too position my speakers so that the sound shoots back to the singer and the KJ booth so the singer and I can hear the mix clearly. Obviously if the singer and KJ are behind the speakers a monitor is required.

Many of the 7 night per week karaoke bars in our area have stages and monitors some of them are quite elaborate in design. If its just a couple of nights a week most do not have an actual stage. Monitors are generally optional depending on the need.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Where?

couldnt agree more Babs. I went one step further and got a mixer that sends the efx I use foh to monitor as well so as I know what it sounds like.

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Oops, my bad. I guess nowhere -- I think I may have put it in, but decided for brevity to take it back out.

Sorry.

Morgan-

Thank you for making me feel better! Do you have any idea how many times I have been ridiculed by other KJ's and sound people for having the full mix come out of my monitor? I prefer it because I can hear the effects, mix, sound etc. I thought I was the only one breaking the "Monitor is just for voice" unwritten law....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

I have the full mix coming out of my monitor as well. If you were using a monitor in a normal live music application, you would want to have separate control of each monitor and have only certain sounds come out of each (i.e., vocals for the singer with light music, louder guitar out of the guitar monitor, etc.). Then again, in most live music applications, the soudn guy is IN FRONT of the stage, and not behind it. I would love to be in front of the stage, but it just isn't practical. Likewise, if I were in front of the stage, I would want to control the monitor independently and make it vocal-heavy.

BUT, alas, I have to be behind the stage, and I actually partially rely on the singer's monitor speaker in order to hear the main mix myself and adjust it accordingly.

As far as stages go, I think you have to understand that one of the big draws of karaoke is that bar owners that can't afford to have stages and hire bands can host karaoke, as it costs a fraction of the cost for a legitimate form of live entertainment. Those bars that you go into that don't have dedicated areas for the singers would probably have absolutely no entertainment were it not for the karaoke, so I think in that case you just have to be thankful for what you got!! I would LOVEEEEE to have a stage in my bar, but alas, I just have to form a sort of "designated area" as well, and the dancing does sometimes spill over into the singer's "space." BUT, again, if they did not hire me for karaoke, there would be no singers or dancers or any entertainment at my bar (beyond poker night), so it is all good!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I'm fortunate we have a stage, only about six" high; just to the right of the entrance and is about 8'x 10'.  I'm in the corner; gig rig and sub.  One of my speaker is just to the right of the singer and the other speaker is in the left corner, off stage and to the left of the entrance in corner.

Fortunately the way the room is situated and my set up, a monitor isn't needed.  I am considering getting a small one though to put down below the lcd monitor.  I use 450's and have an extra one at home I could use but there really hasn't been that much of a need.  I also use 2 Chauvet colorsplash 196's.  I have them on a half T-bar that I locate to the right of the stage and about six feet out.  They are up high and really have added another dimension for the singers that the house lighting system just didn't offer.

Like TopherM said, there are times I wish I was set up out facing the stage, but 1, there isn't room and 2. I like being able to interact with the singers as they come up and help those out who are a little shy or tend to get off key.  I can also read the crowd better facing them.

Kelly

honey I can make you feel a LOT better....but I digress...personally I think its the others that are weird not wanting to be sure that what is going FOH is what they too are listening to

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

wow !
I have the full mix coming out of my monitor too. I don't know what kind of set up your friends have, but I need to hear what's going on. I walk out into the crowd to check volume levels from time, but I can't do it all night to check each individuals mix.

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Very little to no effects coming out of the monitor for us.  Music & vocals otherwise.

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I think it depends on your setup and what you can hear.
Lon - you use head phones don't you?

I don't think there is a right or a wrong way. I do it this way so I can hear the mix to make adjustments. If you have a way to do this without the whole mix coming out of the monitor, cool.

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oops I re-read my post I sounded like big dog I apologise. I certainly didnt mean to infer it was my way or the highway

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I knew what you meant.

Sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggs when I'm posting. I realise that everyone has different venues, set ups and crowds. If I am posting my view point I always try to make sure I get that across. Do you guys ever feel that way?

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Stage ?  I could only wish !!!! - I'm set up in a corner NEXT  to the pool table
Sometime the singers have to move around while people are shooting pool
FAR FROM MY IDEAL SET UP FOR OBVIOUS REASONS but its been that way for
a long time.

No monitor - Speakers are behind and off to the side

Those darn pool tables  LMAO I love to play pool, but when there is entertainment in the bar they seem to get in the way. As of late on a busy night people have been using our pool table as chairs.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]