Karaoke Forums

Hi all I'm new here and have come for some good old fashion fun and some great knowledge so I'll be the sponge and you be the beverage of choice ok?
  I am a retired army drill sgt although at almost 43 dont consider myself really old enough to be "retired". So about 8 months ago I endevered into what was supposed to be a new hobby to occupy my time. I used to be a drummer and singer in a few bands back in the day and did a considerable amount of karaoke along the way to this point. I am struggling as a new musician trying to find band members and just as I almost had my band completly put together my wifes job relocated out of state. Now to say the least I know absolutely nobody and I am back to square one. Enough about that because its for another forum. Anyway along the way I have spent alot of money! Besides drums, I have purchased an SKB mighty Gigrig with expander rack and a gig wing, two sets of JBL EON 1500's,a set of JBL EON subs and a JBL EON 1500G2 powered speaker of which I was getting ready to add another. In the rack I have a Mackie Onyx 1620 mixer with Firewire card for recording, a DBX driverack 260, DBX 1064 quad compresser limiter, Antares AVP-1 vocal processor, Lexicon LXP15 II reverb effects unit, ART Midi processor and a Monster 2500 power conditioner along with misc rack mounted gooseneck lights. For power(for the unpowered eons) I have a QSC 3002 and a QSC 1602(basically for backup). I have several descent mics,mic stands,speaker stands and bags and many many speaker/interconnect cables and mic cables.I also have a Dell Inspiron E1505 that I intended on using with my recording setup. Wew! I have spent alot of $$$
  Well bye now your probably saying to yourself stop bragging what does all of this have to do with any Karaoke gear Technicals right? We'll I have always loved singing and never really stopped and I've always been told that I'm very good and a descent performer as well. SOOO, I'm considering becoming a KJ and give the world an opportunity to be in the lights with me! All joking aside I kinda hope you'll talk me out of it ! Well Ive been surching websites and decided to come here for advice and lots of it.
  My questions are many so armed with the info above I hope that you all can give me some solid advice so here goes.
 Ive come up with a budget of around $2,000 to start with so what would be your best suggestions for gear to get myself started on the right foot? I realize that songs are a huge expense in this occupation(hobby ) so that may very well be a large chunk of my initial investment. But what about players? Should I go with a hardisc type player or conventional players? Should I use my Mackie mixer and effects or go with something else? Should I use my rack or go with something else? all this and more I need answers too.and preferably specifics as well such as what brands and models to look at as well as what form and what brand of disc sets to look at(as in most popular and reliable). And of course where to buy is a huge concern.
  So I have a budget and surely some gear that can be liquidated for more cash such as the Lexicon unit should I use reverb in my karaoke setup? What should I liquidate and what should I keep? The SKB GIGrig is awesome! Its also huge and without bandmates to help I dont think I want to haul that around by myself. So, what about a duel act? A KJ partner perhaps, is there such a thing? Or should I axe the Gigrig? I dont think I need all the power and speakers I have for Karaoke do I? Or should I keep them for backup and extra large type settings? Should I keep the DBX compressor limiter? My gut says yes to that one? What about the vocal processor, this a good piece of gear dont know if anyone here has heard of it or used it but it will keep key and pitch in order and does a very nice job. My experience with Karaoke key changers is one of not very good opinion. I'm sure in this day and age with popularity of Karaoke being what it is, quality of sound and great song selection is of the upmost importance. As you can see I need alot of q's answered here and a SPONGE I will become as soon as you mighty masteres of the spotlight get me started in the rightous direction!
  This brings me to my next question. What about recording your guests? Is this popular? Is it profitable? What are the ins and outs of this aspect? Can I use my gear for this or would it be much easier to go a different route and liquidate my recording gear as well? I know from experience that Mics are one of the most important elements in aquiring great sound and should never be substituted for the $20 piece. However I have witnessed(as I'm sure all of you have far too many times)the obnoxious overly zealous loudmouth drunk drop and slobber all over a great mic and this of course needs to be avoided as well. But, if you substitute for the $20 mic you have just lost that great sound you are trying to achieve and if that goes so goes the following your after.
  What about residence Kj'ing? This certainly sounds appealing with an occasional gig trade to keep it fresh and new. Let's see what am I missing?................
Tons of things I havent even started to think about I am certain. Oh yes transportation. I have a good reliable Chevy Trailblazer, the extended one so I think I'm ok there or would a small trailer be recommended?
  Ok I think this will probably deter most of you from even answering this post! So I'll leave the marketing strategies, buisness cards, t-shirts, hats and that sort of thing for another post after I feel like I have a good grip on the direction I need to go with this.
  I am very motivated about this and am very persistant when I put my mind to something and have given this alot of thought over the last few months. I truly appreciate any and all advice each and every one of you can provide.
  Thank you sincerly for the time and effort in helping me get started in the right direction.

Steve

first of all, congrats on retiring, Sarge! I'm the same age as you, and would have retired by 37 myself had I stuck in the Air Force... oh well.

If you do a lot of research into this particular forum, you'll see tons of similar questions... the first thing I'd do is read, read and read some more.

Not trying to talk you out of it, but the field of Karaoke hosting is fairly overpopulated... unless you happen to have moved to an area where there is precious little of it. So you won't make a lot of money at it. I understand about hobbys and the ability to turn "pro" playing with what you love best... I did the same thing for ten years! Now due to job restraints, I can't unpack my karaoke setup... my job won't allow it...

You've got a lot of questions... I'll leave it up to the more audiophiles in here to answer on the gear. I will say that I personally feel SOME reverb is needed.

Nice system!  I'd use it, no point in purchasing anything else to downsize & especially if you know how to work it all, do it!  This is one of the downfalls in todays karaoke, too many don't use quality gear & even fewer of them really know how to use what they have.
The music is the biggest ongoing expense, i'd start with getting a good 'core' library, Sound CHoice Foundation 1 & 2, all 5 Bricks, maybe the Dangerous set (11 discs & under rated by many kj's), if you can find it - the Pop Hits Monthly Millenium set (not to be confused with the DK Millenium) if you have older country followers, the BMB/Nikkodo SAVA set - these are ok country renditions, however on occasion they do have some songs that the lyrics don't swipe.  Then start getting requests from singers once you get a gig & go from there - buy what they want, not what you think they want.  Sometimes the hottest songs on the radio today you would think would be the ideal choices - for country that tends to be more true, for anything else, it may get sung for a couple weeks or more then end up being one of your best dust collectors!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

If you like to perform and sing for others ---KJ'ing is NOT FOR YOU

Despite what you may think you will sing LESS than you ever thought of being a KJ . (or at least a decent KJ well Liked KJ) You will spend more time mixing sound and taking requests  for songs and putting up with drunks knocking over your equipment etc.   All for $150 per night

BUT Heck if you like that ..Then go for it !  LMAO

Thanks good info there on the music, I do know how to use my gear well, what about players? And what about recording? There does seem to be a decent demand for Karaoke around here, Dallas Fort Worth area, however, there is a big demand for musicians and bands as well,but I'm only having my first audition with a band sat after waiting a month for any responses to my postings.
Thanks again
(still soaking it up so go ahead and spill your beer on me just not my gear!)

Hey knightshow thanks for the reply and thanks for the congrats I certainly feel its deserved as that was a looong stint! Look forward to picking your brain in the future, after I read of course.

Lol, Jersey is a long way from Tx(thank god) so I'm not you'r competition. Guess you missed the hobby part of my post, as far as singing goes Guess that is a very small part of being a KJ Hmmmmm.... just never saw a KJ who couldnt sing so I guess it would be a bonus in some fashion.

Wow! thats enough gear for karaoke alright!

You said that you are just starting out as a KJ, so I'm going to have to ask.. do you want to go for the Bar scene, or private parties?  I ask this because they require diffrent gear,  on mic personality, and even song collections.

As for jamkaraoke's idea that this is not for you if you like to preform and sing... I don't think that is true. Part of the job of the host is to "preform" for others, think of a kj as a morning radio host.. they do not over shadow the true singers , i.e the songs from the performers, but they add to the over all enjoyment of listening.


Now to answer some of the questions you asked,

Haveing a partner is always the best bet. You have someone to help load in and out of the gig, and to help take the requests from the patrons at the bar(I hate when people just call them "drunks"). The partner that you have can also, if they are a good singer can help you adjust you levels before the show starts, and the regular singers showup.  Just keep in mind that you have to (or you don't , depending on who you get to help) pay part of what you make to this person for thier help.
Beisdes that, it is always good to have someone you know at the bar that can make you laugh.

If you would like more help feel free to message me.

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1/2 of the Camp Bucca marathon Karaoke team(10 hours straight)

You haven't  been to many karaoke shows then. I would say a good 1 out of 4 KJs I have seen are pretty poor singers....there have been one or three who are simply awful.

Perhaps you are in an area where good singers are plentiful. The couple of times I went to a show in Nashville I left wowed at how good the host sang.

Thanks Tater its truly appreciated!

Call it luck if you will, being retired military I have seen Kj's perform in many different locations including overseas and have really only seen one that was horrible and that was in Korea!

well, I suppose I would be willing to do both. Bars appeal to me because eventually you will get to know some peeps and have alot of fun with them. Private on the other hand I would think would have some larger venues and crowds and wouldnt tire as easily, what are your thoughts on that? I'm still waiting to find out which players I truly should be looking at.

The gear you have is more than sufficient for either kind of work - club or private.  And knowing how to use it is going to be a great bonus as a host.  Good singers tend to find out the really good systems & frequent those shows more often than the screaming bad singer - although you will always get these too.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Lol, so which category do you fall in?

Don't know if you were referring to me. but i'm a gearhead host as well.  Spawned from running sound in bands (still do on occasion when opportunity allows) also sang & played guiter in one for over 10 years.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

From everything that i've seen, a KJ that can't sing well doesn't help his cause. A good singing KJ can entertain the crowd if others are killing it. It's also good when new people are nervous about singing if the KJ can help them.

A good singing kj is a plus in most situations but not always a must.  I actually hired a kj - against my better judgement - that didn't sing well, those nights were very popular as some singers that normally wouldn't got up & sang BECAUSE the kj couldn't sing.  May not be the rule, but it did happen.  Unfortunately he had to quit due to getting a full time day job.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I disagree. Karaoke is about the singers -- the KJ singing is not necessary or even desirable.

The key is to find  a couple of singers -- especially a couple of bad ones. People hear them, and think to themselves, "I can do as well as *that*".

For instance, I am considering stopping going to a show because the host brings along his wife and her friend, and they all three begin every rotation, no matter how many singers.

I always sing the first song of the night to make sure everything is working, and to get the show started, although I might not do sing the first song if I had >5 or so requests at the start.

As for private parties, singing in rotation if it is <5 people is probably good to have the DJ in the rotation until the people get to singing.

For my regular show in the bar since I am only paid free drinks, I keep myself in the rotation, but sometimes I skip my turn. I may not be a good singer but many of the regulars like my singing....

Sounds fair to me.

I did a couple of parties for people who insisted on paying me a couple hundred bucks, but I am rarely paid in money -- I do volunteer gigs as community service. For those I only sing when the time is appropriate (small rotation, liven things up after 4 slow songs with 4 to come, etc.)

But when I do a regular gig at my service club, I insist on singing in the rotation.