Karaoke Forums

It seems everytime someone posts something about hosting software it turns into a snipe fest and no one gets any real information out of it.  Someone who is considering making the change to computer won't know what the software is supposed to do in the first place so how can they make an informed decision  about which one to buy?  So, what is most important to you about hosting software and why?  For me, it has to be easy to use and pretty much idiot proof because I'm pretty sloshed by the end of the night.  I want software that just makes me click "PLAY"


What's most important to you?

For me the most important thing is the sound quality first which is why I chose MTU Hoster for the kma files - I do not care if they can't be played on other programs, I have no intention on using any other programs.  
Then the ease of use second - searching songs & adding to playlist.
Third would be the player aspect itself.
Anything else is just fluff to me. I print my books through Access so don't need a book maker.

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I use Hoster by MTU, and here are my reasons, copied from MTU's website

Import Karaoke CD+G discs and compress them into KMA files to store 10x more on the hard drive and index them in the professional Songs Database (1,000,000+ songs allowed)
Import CDG, BIN, MP3G and ZIP Karaoke files into the Songs Database using Single or Batch mode
KJ/DJ/VJ by playing MP3G, ZIP, MP3, WMA, karaoke, audio and any Video format file on the hard drive or from discs in the Playlist
Play VCD/DVD disc tracks or files stored on the hard drive
Play Singers Karaoke and Video discs they bring to your show
Singers Display shows whose coming up
Brand database automatically provides Title and Artist for identified DiscID tracks, and supports FreeDB for audio and karaoke discs
Prepare your Song Book, New Release pages, and special pages in RTF for printing
Key Change in real time or enter a preset value when adding to the show rotation
Supports dual graphic windows; one for you, one for your Singers
Find any song in seconds with the built-in database (not index lists like others)
Save multiple Playlists to open and reuse or run shows for walkup singers
Add Language, Genre, Duet, Multiplex parameters for each song
Uses so little computer power that it will not burn out your processor chip like some competitors software

Thank you for responding but this is the very thing I was hoping to avoid in this thread.  "I use this software and it's the best because...." just turns into sniping again because someone else is just as adamant about their software.  I was hoping for something like, "it is important for the software I use to play WMA files" or "it's important that the software play customer's disks from the computer."  The IDEAL software, not the one you happen to own.

when it comes to personal testimonies on just about anything, you're going to get a response like what you don't want, farmer.

I see the benefits behind all the known programs we've discussed. but I've also seen the detriments as well. And like Lonman and Allstar have pointed out, what works best for them is going to be what they're going to promote!

I've been using just winamp playing my files... and when I pick up my kj shoes once I'm settled, I'll probably convert over to clubdjpro, as I like the video mixing. A "hoster" type of program isn't important for me, but playing videos IS. This program plays most known computer formats of audio and video, and that's why I'm making that purchase!

Sorry you weren't given what you were looking for.

I can still take an old model a and go places where 4 wheel divers cant The secret is this A professional or talent takes the system at hand and gets the most out of it Years ago we put and old wooden boat into a lake with an old 5 horse Evinrude. The owners of the cabin cruisers scoffed and turned up their noses until we pulled up onto the boat ramp with 3 pike about 3 feet long. Talent, common sense, and experience makes good music Setup bluegrass in the paking lot with no electricity and you will know wat I mean

My Ideal software would combine what I can get with AutoKDJ, ClubDJPRO, RoxBox and MTU's Hoster.
From AutoKDJ I would take the autorotation feature with the ability to set the parameters to fit my style of Hosting and the Song station that AutoKDJ has and it's ability to add as many songs as I like for each singer without having to do a sing one bring one method of handling rotation.
From ClubDJPro I would take it's ability to switch between player as effortlessly as it does.
From RoxBox I would take it's ability to handle a karaoke database and a DJ database and allows me to access my Dj songs in the same way I can with the karaoke. I would also take the importing to database from RoxBox and naming conventions that roxbox uses.  and it's recording capability or maybe even Sack-Onuts recorder might be better.
From Hoster I would take the Keychanger and the multiplex button.
As to file names I would use the same format that is prevalent in MP3+G softwares so that IF I wanted to print books I could use Latshaw's SongList Generator as it gives a professionally looking songlist.  But that is just my opinion on the subject.
Was this kinda post what you were looking for Weed?

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

 
nto sure I comprehend your last sentence Karyoker, but then again I may not get most pieces of humor as I don't drink .

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

Yeah, you're getting closer.  I was hoping to do without the software titles as part of the description.  It's sorta like the end user clicking on "Help" in some little progie and all the help says is "Do it just like this other program." that the end user has never seen.  Which reminds me of an old joke that illastrates the point.

"A helicopter pilot became hopelessly lost in the fog near Seattle do to an electrical failure which killed all his instruments.  He nearly struck a very tall building but luckily was able to pull up in time.  He saw a man through an open window in the building and yelled, "Hey buddy, where am I? "  the man in the building replied "You're in a helicopter!"  The pilot was enraged for an instant but then realized that he had gotten the very information that was necessary to plot an exact course back to the airport.  Since the answer he had recieved was 100% accurate and also 100% useless, the big building had to be Microsoft headquarters."

So, referencing another application to a developer is 100% accurate and 100% useless.  In order to get this "Ideal" software on the market somebody has got to develop it.  You can see where I'm going I hope.

Geez, whatever you do don't ask if anything is illegal....

Re: The ideal KJ Software:

Free

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Okay let's take another stab at this.
Twin players that handle everything from the karaoke files to video and dj songs, capable of fading between both players.  quelist that replaces artist name with singer's name if it is a karoke song. the que itself also autosorts so no single singer name is qued back to back (I know this stops a back to back dj song by the same artist). a keychanger that changes keys on the fly instantly or at most 1/4 of a second from hitting the keychanger button.  Multiplex function that sends either the side the user chooses to both the left and right out of the player but gives true stereo when not in left or right mode. The ability to accept song choices from a networked computer (Song Request Station) two separate databases for Karaoke songs and DJ songs.   Ripper that can handle all formats including video karaoke, MP3+G karaoke and just plain audio files.   built in database that allows you to name songs without having to type them in that is updatable through connection with the internet and song manufacturer's websites that only gives you info on discs that are already released. Will aslo have it's own professional looking song list program for those who choose to stay with paper lists and request slips.   Price should be reasonable which is no more than 4 shows pay (barwise).
Almost forgot a couple of things. the file format should be a universal format so that if down the ine a new program comes out that adds new options that the program missed, then the user does not have to rerip their songs. Aolso works if you are switching to this software with the exception of KMA since that would be violating the rights of MTU to be able to convert their files or write something that defeats the security of those files so that they are playable in the program.  The other thing is while the program might be better served on a higher end computer, the Song Reuest Station software should be able to run on an older computer.

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

... do ya want it to light your cigarette, too???

The problem with software that does too much, it could be prone to glitches and hanging. For instance, PCKJ and the FX program ... you need bare minimum a gig of memory, and even then it has issues if reports are to be believed.

To me, simpler is better. But what do I know?

There are many programs out there that will play "karaoke files" whether they be mp3+g or wma's or some other.  When talking sound quality comparisons of the various files I would tend to believe that the majority  couldn't tell an mp3 from a wma from a cd. ...all you audiphiles don't get upset ... I understand that there are REAL differerances but ...Most can not tell .... Your software should be able to SEARCH quickly by song title and list MFG ..Pluses would be it could handle regular cds as well and also some sort of "rotation list" , keep a history and most important
have a great reputation for dependability and a good support system.  There all good and bad  - pros and cons. Only way to know is to test and sample each.

Me - PcdJ Red VRm with KJ PLuggin ...  Never had a problem

Good luck to all.

O YEAH >>>KEY CHANGER A MUST   OOOPS

Mine is the best.........

whatever one I am using........

otherwise I will get a better one........

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !