Karaoke Forums

I was reading another thread where the subject of booths came up.  I’m assuming there would be a difference of opinions on the subject.  

I usually use a couple of those “Lifetime” fold-up, white plastic-top tables I got at Sam’s Club.  

Inevitably though, there’s some of that “spaghetti” thing goin’ on, and it is kind of unsightly.  

I’m pretty sure at one point I tried to drape a cloth across the front, but it didn’t seem to work too well.  

I’m thinking (oh oh)… just a nice free-standing screen that wouldn’t even touch the table, not high such that it makes one appear separated from the patrons, but cover the mess.  It wouldn’t even have to be solid, but like those screen walls they use in live theater to make fake walls, like 1x3 wooden frame and some type of screen material, that can even be painted.  

But then again, I’m also not looking for another thing to carry.  

Soooo… what do you guys do?

If I didn't have a booth, a table with a nice skirt all the way around it to conceal the wires would be the next choice - which is what I used before the club gave me the booth.  Depending on the size of the venues (which I try to shy away from smaller clubs) I would also set up some kind of back drop for the table & a free standing portable wall for the staging area.  Similar to this
http://www.displays2go.com/sub5.asp?ID=1535
But it was custom (home) made so it was much cheaper but looked as nice.  I haven't needed it since I started 7 nights so got rid of it a while ago, but it made a large difference in places that didn't have actual stages, blocking out the place behind the singer making the focus ON the singer.

Another place I worked the booth was where the soundguys sit for live music.  Across the dance floor, with the stage in front.  It was nice because I could hear exactly what the audience heard, the stage was large enough for multiple monitors & I had easy access to customers as well so they didn't have to interupt the singer while bringing up slips.  I see companies set up right next to singers on the stage & people are all the time walking in front of & distracting them.

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Those screens look nice for behind the singer, and I’m not sure, but may even help with feedback from reflective surfaces if using a monitor.

I know exactly what you’re saying about having the table near the singers.  A lot do that around here.   I once replaced a guy who didn’t even offer a mic stand, just the mic sitting on the table; it was quite pathetic.  The guy had no eye/imagination/concern for atmosphere.  

The ol’bar owner even tried to make me put my table like the other guy, but I carefully/respectfully resisted, and got my way.  

I used my 50’ snake and put myself at a counter between the bar and the dance/seating area, about 24’ from the stage/speakers.  I was in perfect access to the customers, and could mix hearing what the audience heard.  

Thanks for the good suggestions.

A  few years ago were setting up in a new club a Tejano club We setup 50 ft from the stage with a snake. In a corner where all singers have full access to the host.. It is a professional setup which includes a 17" flat computer monitor The setup is with the mixer case and monitor protected from the crowd..
At weddings we ask staff to provide white table cloths to dress it up. And we generally hide the mixer and electronics.. At outside biker gigs we usually keep everything in the van You adapt to all situations...

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Especially if the behind the singer wall is a bunch of windows, mirrors or concrete.  Yes it does help in that respect as well, but it does look a lot more professional than have them standing in front of a bunch of turned off video games or whatever.  Puts more emphasis on the singer if people aren't able to look behind them into the parking lot (or whatever).

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Man......I gotta get bigger venues!!!!

The area I set up in is about 5' wide and 6-7' long. I am only able to use 1 of those 'Lifetime' tables. I can't imagine what I would do with all that room....

But the 'spagetti' question made me think of a question, but I think that's another topic....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

I would classify my venue as "very" small - I place my small rack and laptop on a 4 ft high "shelve.   This shelve is right next to the pool table and unfortunately the singers and pol players are constantly "bumping" into one another.
This is NOT and ideal singer and or audio set up.  But it is out of my control.

Obvious for private parties I either bring a table or use one supplied.

I am HUNTING for a bigger venue with a stage area etc.  The last place I played out had a nice STAGE area with a backdrop.  It was a nice set up for karaoke and the singers.   (only problem is they didn't want to pay me..see other discussion)

 I have 6 venues, and have run into your "spaghetti/no room problem.  Since I don't use a booth, and the cloth drape didn't look all that nice, I built a folding cloth screen, with a sliding panel so I can change the cloth "wallpaper" at will. Very light, folds to nothing.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Most of the venues/banquet halls I work skirt their tables.  I always keep one of those plastic disposable ones with me just in case (black).  I get them at the local grocery for $1.  Can put a small slit in them to drop the cables through as well.  For parties at residences or other odd locations, I'll bring along my table to be on the safe side - clients often think a card table is sufficient!  Last week I made the assumption they had a table at the clubhouse where I was booked - they didn't and I ended up putting two tiled game tables together and used a disposable skirt.  It looked nice and was sturdy.  At my bar gig, I use whatever is available, usually an unskirted banquet table - it often gets sloshed by the crowd.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Many problems can be solved by properly rack mounting your equipment. A table skirt cant hurt either I have 2 black ones and a white one many times they are not provided.

check out www.djskirts.com

I got my custom skirt made from a local seamstress for $40. I just sewed velcro on it and attach it to my table using the oppose velcro. It works great.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

I just got a table jacket from there but I still have to have someone alter it..it has zippers in the sides of it but I need a few in the front too or at least some kind of slits with velcro ..its just the way we have our equip. set up we need them all. But overall Im very happy with it no ironing (WHEW !!) & no wrinkling of plastic.

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

I just got a table jacket from there but I still have to have someone alter it..it has zippers in the sides of it but I need a few in the front too or at least some kind of slits with velcro ..its just the way we have our equip. set up we need them all. But overall Im very happy with it no ironing (WHEW !!) & no wrinkling of plastic

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

We don't use either.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Timerlea uses one of those hoverboards from Back to the Future part III. It not only saves floor space and is easy to move around, but it makes a great conversation piece!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

lyquiddye,

What is that silver and blue V looking thing-a-ma-bobber just above your subwoofer on the left side of the picture? Very clean, professional setup, BTW.

BTW, I have a nice black table skirt I use for private parties and weddings, but I don't use it for my karaoke gig.

I keep my wires tidy and bind the ones in the walking lanes together, but it is not the kind of bar that would appreciate a more formal look. Having a table skirt in my bar might actually work against me!!

I actually am thinking about asking my bar owner if I can do a semi-permanent install of some of my stuff (speakers, amps, LCD screen), which would make the whole setup look better, I wouldn't have to carry as much stuff, and would in small part advertise karaoke all week long. I just want to have the whole setup gameplan set in my head before i try to present it to him, since like most bar owners, he FEARS CHANGE!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

pmsl well at least someone has a sense of humour

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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."

This is my "little booth"  LOL .  Right in the corner of the stage.

Kelly

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/ ... GigRig.jpg

It is a barrel mirror light a Martin EFX-600

http://www.martin.com/product/product.a ... aniaefx600