Karaoke Forums

Bigjim

If you're looking for a KJ ---Let someone here know where you are located and you might be able to get some good hands on help or at least maybe hire a Pro KJ

I use cds and mp3s from my lap top. I also use a dell mp3 portable juke box(20G) for back up. 3 ways, in case one method fails, the music will continue. My mp3 are all at the standard 128k......and no one, and I repeat no one knows the difference........they might think they do, and some people think they can fly....

Not dissing the MP3 on the laptop idea, I do it that way myself, but all the music I have was ripped at 192 or higher.  

AS for a permenat Behringer setup.....
I would suggets the Behringe B300 powered speakers ($300 a peice).  They come with wall mount brackets, and are easy to use.  You could get a inexpensive Behringer mixer, mics, and associated cords for less than $300, and you have the audio system.  IF you want to add a Eq, feedback eliminator or compressor, just add another $200-$300.

I have 4 of the B300s and have played many an outdoor gigs with them, and they worked great.  You could set up 2 in your main area, and one in the overflow area.

For the seesntials, 450 songs is a good start, but perhaps you could rent, or buy the former KJs music, till you get your library built up.

Sounds like you are a bar owner I would LOVE to work for, but you are probably not im my area.  IF more bar owners had a clue as to good karaoke, it would make it much easier for us mobiles out there.

Thanks twansenne for the compliment. I'm an ex Navy guy, can't tell you how many nights I sat and drank and listened to my favorite tunes...allllllll nighhhhhtt loooong!
When everyone went to bed, on went the headphones! Many nights I went to bed at sunrise.
I know what I want to do with this Karaoke idea and I will continue to post and ask questions so as to make as few mistakes as possible along the way. Just last night I was working/helping out at the bar and the wife got a call asking about Karaoke for the night. The Cardinals were on and the clientele was entrenched in that...she said she did'nt know if the guys were gonna show or not...don't know if the caller ever showed up but the KJ's did (2). They started late, game was in 7th inning at 9:00 pm, their starting time. Even Karaoke can't compete with Cardinal playoffs.
The point is...they called specifically for Karaoke, I see a need and I want to exploit it. I know when the alcohol flows, music becomes an afrodisiac on the soul. I know
because I've been there many times! I watch these people sing and they GET OFF! It's neat to watch, it also helps relieve all the pent up frustrations that grow every week from daily living.

Johnny echo - I will test run a few of the MP3's before downloading them all. If a select few sound good, I'll rip the rest. Do you use a seperate hard drive or can you get away with the plug in memory chip? 50G is a lot of music, but it gives me so much more options as far as pleasing the customers. If its a slow Karaoke night, walk (wireless mic) around and ask customers for their favorite songs and get them involved that way. If they leave it up to me, its gonna be The Danger Zone (Top Gun) or the Village People!    Just kidding. Thanks for the MBD link.

Next up....tame them Tigers!            :oh yeah:                         bigjim56

Bigjim, JMO.    Your regularly scheduled advertised karaoke nights are going to be your main bread and butter income.  

Pre-empting the karaoke so a few people that are not regularly spending money week after week for karaoke, to cater to them so they can watch a once in a while game, insults the karaoke singers.   It's like slapping them in the face and saying "Your regular karaoke money won't be any good tonight, because we have the game on, for some unregular clients.    Come back next week when we won't have the game on.   We will need your money then."

You will never make more money on a once a month event, than you will with the regular weekly karaoke crowd.     Don't throw away the bread and butter for a little icing.

My regular Saturday night guy did just that.   For a pay-for-view boxing match.   The bar tenders told me they had 10 people for the fight.      70-80-90 regularly for karaoke.      Penny wise, dollar foolish.   He wanted to show off his new 60" TV.    Karaoke bought the TV.     Not the stupid 3 minute fight.

Unless, BD, it's the regulars that are watching the game!  Most karaoke singers have other interests as well.  That's why the bar I go to will NEVER have karaoke on Sunday or on Monday night.  Sports rule on those days.  Thursday's karaoke will also be impacted starting on Thanksgiving thanks to Thursday night football starting up.

Bigdog - Thursday and Friday nights will be the Karaoke nights 9pm - 1am (Later?)
Nothings gonna preempt that. (This is Cardinal Country) The KJ's were there, but no one but them were on that side of the bar...they were like the Maytag repairman...lonely. In fact, they were watching the game. These guys are doing as good a job as the original lady. They wanted to play late one night free of charge...surprised me...the original lady leaves right at 1am, Katy bar the door!

I realize these people take their Karaoke seriously, its evident by the occassional crowd, and the inquiring phone calls. To save $, my wife has cancelled some of the shows, and I know that hurts total business in the long run. Purchasing this system will guarantee Karaoke every Thursday/Friday night and Saturday night is mix it night...Karaoke/DJ, crowds choice.

When a huge sporting event happens in the future when I'm KJ'ing, I'll inform them that its Karaoke time and proceed with the show as long as there are people on that side wanting to start...lower volume to begin with, then louder as the night goes on and the event expires. Just watching is good enough for most people. I can always have headsets for the I have to hear the game few.

It will work out. Karaoke is the boss.

                                                                                    bigjim56

Unless it's a playoff game & the crowd is watching, we start karaoke on time.  We will leave the tv's on the game but turn the sound down for those watching until it's over - we have a tv monitor on stage for the singer to see.

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I am just pointing out that in the 14 years I have been doing karaoke, there have been many times that the bar owners would cater to a few watching the game and ignore the many regular money spenders.   They made the singers mad enough to leave many nights.   A smart business man would consider the majority of his steady income providers.   I don't care if it is a sports bar.     Why are you having entertainment?   Sports fans alone won't pay the bills, that's why.

I personally hope every major team in town, loses.   So they don't get in to the play offs.   It only hurts the regularly scheduled entertainment income.    Did the winning team ever send you a check for watching them?  

I talked to a pizza guy one time.   He said if the game is on and the home town team is winning the pizzas are flying out the door.   If they are losing he may as well be home watching it.   Nothing is going out the door.    Fans get way too moody if the team loses.   Who gives a flying crap.      It sure hurts the bar and restaurant business if they lose.   It's a game, not life and death.  Get a grip.    Get a life.