Karaoke Forums

one thing I found when the kj sings... if it's an obscure song but popular in it's day, it's a HECKuva way to kick start the party.

One of my more popular ones I used to do was "Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose", and you'd be surprised the people that would shout out "OH MY GAWD I LOVE THIS SONG!!!"...

"Lawyers in Love" by Jackson Browne was yet another one.

For the biker bar I used to do, classic Steppenwolf or Tom Petty worked nearly every time.

I will agree that the KJ SHOULD be able to carry a tune... but I've been to shows where it was more like "The DAVE PRE Show", and people got tired of that very quickly... that's why nine outta ten times, if it were over six singers, I'd not sing in rotation any more... Instead, I'd toss out some quick trivia after a certain song (if I could think of it! !), play a funny sound byte... in fact, I used to start OUT the show with the Van Hagar "HELLLOOOOO BAYBEEE!!!"

I will add to the post that I use a SKB Gig Rig with all of my systems. It may be a little big but it's not that heavy even full of gear. Just make sure you have a dolly. Or you can purchase the matching SKB roto roller that the gig rig sits on and keep your amps in the roto roller and then just wheel the unit in.

If you're a good singer and you enjoy singing then why not put together a one man show (that's what I'm doing) and just sing to (karaoke) backing tracks?

Nothing says that you have to host a karaoke show. Host if you like doing it, but if what you really want to do is sing, then choose 200-300 songs that you KNOW you can sing well and that are popular and go out and get some gigs. You'll only sing 50-60 songs per night so you can rotate through your list to keep from getting bored.

Whether you go somewhere like a bar or a restaurant and talk them into having you as an entertainer or as a karaoke host, either way you'll be doing something that you like and want to do AND getting paid to do it. You can also play music that people like to hear or to dance to as a DJ. 3 skills, all fun, all entertaining and all valuable to people out on the town looking to have a god time.

Not everyone can sing well, just ask the karaoke hosts here. If you have a gift then make use of it to make other people happy. I love when I look out and see people enjoying my singing, smiling, dancing and having a good time. It's nice when you finish and everyone you walk past is telling you how much they enjoyed your singing and what a great voice you have.

I will say that from my experence, I started out as a KJ with a small band pa. seperate effects, rack mount mixer, compressor ,external eq,  even had an active crossover for larger rooms. It sounded GREAT, but was a pain in the azz to set up. its fine for starters, but I think after a few shows, when you get something regular you will want to go to a powered mixer. I run a mackie 808s and love the thing, but I have looked at the soundcraft gigrack mixers. I wouldnt mind giving one of them a test drive. the big one of corse. Imo you do need at least 1000 watts for a rig that can handle most normal sized shows. for small rooms or systems with smaller speakers with 12s you may be ok with a 5 to 700 watt system. being that you do have power amps already you might be able to buy the mackie 406m and use an ext amp for larger shows.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

See I believe just the opposite.  I can see getting started with a basic box type system (powered mixer) then moving up to the component system.  I don't think I could ever go back to just a powered head.  
Most of them are IMO underpowered as well for most speakers - since most speakers are rated at 8 ohms & you typically want a good match to the program power of the speaker, the box units are generally too low powered to run a speaker efficiently.  They tend to rate their power ratings at the lowest ohms (2 ohms/4 ohms), example, the 808S Mackie claims 1200 watts, which would mean 600 watts per channel - true, but into 2 ohms.  The 8 ohm rating is sitting at 300 watts per channel.  Let's say you are using one of the most commonly found speaker - the Yamaha Club 115, these are 8 ohms, the program power rating (typically what you want to match your amp power to) is 500 watts, the 808S isn't close, sure it will work & make sound, but the chance for clipping is higher especially when you need to turn it up to compensate for the crowd noise, people absorsion factor, etc.  The 406 is even worse, it gives the illusion it's still a 500 watt amp, but that's 250 watts per channel into 2 ohms, it's 8 ohm rating is actually 125 watts per channel - this is even less than most 12" speakers program power rating.  Yamahas 1000 watt mixers are rated the same way, 500 watts into 4 ohms, but the 8 ohm rating is 350 watts.
Also I wouldn't use less power for smaller rooms personally, no point in buying a lower wattage amp for these rooms.  I've worked small rooms where they wanted the volume cranked higher than in the larger rooms before, which if you have less power, greater chance of clipping (distortion) which will kill a speaker eventually (or sometimes immediately).  Smaller speakers I could see, but would add a small sub to compensate for lack of bass that the smaller speaker will not be able to push.  

More power just means you don't have to run your system as hard, if you match the amp properly to the speaker, it will sound better/fuller/clearer at regular listening levels & less chance of blowing your speakers due to clipping/distortion.

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

Lonman you'r a genius! Ok I'm giving you far too much credit . You are  exactly right in each and every regard, however, this is common knowledge to most who have a decent amount of experience with this kind of proffessional setup. I may add that I am now using a Crown XTI400 and XTI200 in my rig along with the pair of JBL EON 1500G2's and Eon1500G2 subs. I basically use the powered cabs with my Soundcraft/JBL Musicmix 14 whenever I'm micing my drums live, and for sidefill in larger venues or even as stage monitors. In fact I can take an entire great sounding system outside for the BBQ(yum yum know what I mean Tater?)or for a blockparty and dont have to lug much. Those of you who have this system know what I'm talking about.Ok, Ok, I rambling here but my point is I know how to operate my own system and most others. Whether you are talking about achieving a desirable gain structure(with or without my driverack260) or eliminating feedback with a graphic eq while maintaining desired optimum frequency ranges, or using my driverack260 and utilizing its wonderful set and live filters for feedback suppression and graphic and parametric eq's)utilized with or without the DBX RTA mic) I know how to operate my gear. Please folks lets stick to the thread which was supposed to be giving me some ideas on how best to incorporate Karaoke into my existing system for optimum results. Obviously this does not apply to some of you who have posted and emailed me, I thank you for your kind suggestions and feedback.
  So lets talk about players!!! I was looking at Vocopro which I have owned in the past I am also considering a Numark, http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-NUM-KMX02.html, please lets hear some thoughts on this. That is, unless you'd rather continue with P.A. lessons? Lol!
Have a great day all!

Keep both sets of QSC amps & JBL tops & subs - often times you'll get into a large room situation or outdoor show or the odd angled room where 2 mains just won't cut it & you need to fill the other side.
Keep the powered JBL for a singer monitor.
The Mackie 1620 is a killer board, wouldn't drop that.
Driverack is always desireable to match tops & subs plus some extra room fine tuning & other perks.
Keep the quad compressor - you'll more than likely end up running 3-4 vocal mics, keep them on the same page.
The Antares could probably be traded out - very nice unit though you probably won't get the opportunity to use it to any major extent.
Keep the Lexicon for the effects.
The midi processor could go bye bye - unless you are going to be using a sequencer or some other midi activated toy, no real purpose in karaoke.
Power conditioner should be used by anyone with electronics.
For players - Take the Dell you were going to use for recording, & get a karaoke show hosting program & use THAT as your player.  Purchase your discs, get a decent sized external hard drive, rip the discs to the external drive & your player questions are answered!

I personally don't recommend VocoPro simply because i've never had any luck with them for pro use & have heard more horror stories from other users from SEVERAL different forums.  The NuMark i've heard similar problems as well.  The old JVC/RSQ triple tray if you can find one is probably one of the best ever made & still the most sought after - even used ones.

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Now thats what I was looking for! More,More,more suggestions Lol!!!
Two new q's now.
1.) Which programs should I look at?(karaoke hosting)
2.) What about a backup in case of failure?
Thanks!

Programs are very personal.  Some love one while absolutely hating another.  While I don't see the logic to going to that extreme, all the programs will virtually act as a player & be fine - some do use a little more resources, some have more bells & whistles, some have some 'eye' candy (special graphics/effects), some have rotation handling capability, some are fully self contained where they will rip the music within their own program while other programs will need extra software to convert the music.  This is where you may want to start downloading demo's & test the waters for yourself.  I personally use MTU Hoster, it is one of the self contained programs - no extra rippers/software needed.  It is basically a player, no special bells & whistles, it does offer some minimal rotation ability where you can type in the singers with the song & display the next few singers on the audience display.
http://www.mtu.com/basics/karaoke-hoster.htm

There are several others as well
Compuhost
http://www.kjtools.com/CompuHost.html

RoxBox
http://kjamp.com/

Siglos
http://www.powerkaraoke.com/src/prod_si ... corder.php

PCDJ KJ
http://pcdj.com/products/video-karaoke-software/kj/

OTS DJ/AV
http://www.otsav.com/buy/

I can't think of the rest off hand, there are several threads regarding this very topic.  And others will pop in for recommends as well.

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I used to use MTU Hoster, but have now switched to Compuhost. The singer history, great search and rotation handling, upcoming singer lists, and promo trailers make that the best for a working host in my opinion. Costs about $40.00 more than Hoster, but well worth it IMHO.


WIth Compuhost, as long as you have the "dongle", you can put it on any computer. So I have a desktop that could be used in a pinch to replace my laptop.

Another old-fashioned backup is a CDG player and your disks. I would go nuts using them, so I don't try that.

First of all drill sarge, I just want to thank you for your service to our country. I too retired from the military 3 years ago now. 1981-1984 US Army and 1984-2004 US Air Force. I was going to post about the same questions you had but you beat me to it. I also played in many bands through the years and have a pretty big PA setup as well. 2-PV SP-1Gs (4 inch horns), 2 PV SP-118 subs, Mackie 1604vlz Pro board, PV-2600 and PV-1500 amps and all the fixins. The only thing I have problems loading is a huge roll around case with the amps ect.. Running sound with quality has been my specialty in the last several years. Anyway, for my love of music I started DJing (don't really care for the title) every Friday and Saturday night at a local bar and grill/pool hall. Love it and they love me. And, for around here, I can definately blow out any mobile dj (did I say mobile??) and any venue. I was recently asked to start doing Karaoke on Saturday nights so I've been looking at all the options for equipment out there. Definately want to stay with CD's. So, since I already bought Numark CD players I was going to grab a Numark CDN-25+G player and a core CDG package and go for it. A singer I am not but a guitar player I am. Lights? I recently dropped a ton on a DMX board and LED lighting (to dazzle the dance floor) And, since I've gone crazy into that a few LED wash lights/PAR's for the singers will look pretty good. I may not be able to give you any Karake advice but I will say. Stay with the PRO sound gear, master it, have the best sound out there, and if you can... Have a kick butt light show. That maybe the one thing that sets you apart from all others. For sure, it will for me out here in the cow pastures of Missouri. Sorry for the long post and again. Congrats on your retirement!

Not to discourage a better selection than a basic 'core' will go alot further with the singers than a fantastic light show, this is coming from experience.  90% of your regular customers could care less about the lights, the new customers that come in may be dazzled for the night, but won't be the reason they come back!  Spend the money on the music selection first, THEN dazzle them!

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

Noted! !

Thanks for your sevice as well, bye the way can you do something about those planes they're very loud Wow thats a tight system I could never lug that as I have had a spinal surgery(thus the JBL's and Gigrig). I just last nite read a review on one of the players I was considering http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-NUM-KMX02.html so I may stay away from that one. But you really cant tell unless theres several reviews to read because I have seen bad reviews on great gear that I've had no problems with. Lights have crossed my mind on several occasions have had nothing but pars in my past so that would be new to me. Lonman is correct(I thank you again kind sir) selection is of huge importance in karaoke, this coming bye way of committee with myself and friends who have been to many many Karaoke shows(unlike someones post that I havent seen many). It seems that the topic of a hosts selection always comes up, negative or positive. I was considering soundchoice foundations,all bricks and perhaps some select smaller sets as well but I must admit I think sweet Georgia Brown has better musical representaion. Good luck with your endeavor!

I like singing and that is why I got into KJing.

I think of running karaoke can be for two very different reasons. The first is the traditional running for a big crowd, where the KJ does not sing much, and few people are going to sing more than a song or two.

The other type of KJing is to have a group of 8-12 or so people that want to sing 4-6 songs a night. With such a small crowd of serious singers, it is difficult to get paid much by a bar, especially if they are not heavy drinkers. The people that get into such KJ gigs is because they really like to sing. Bars will host such shows on nights that would otherwise be even more dead.

If you are doing it more for "Fun" the second approach may be for you. If you know your crowd you can get by with less powerful sound gear, and a more dirrected song list. The big show karaoke often needs to get lots of songs from many different genres.

I dont think I could just be a "backing tracks" entertainer though. Much more than 6 songs even with breaks is more than is fun for me in a night. But that is personal.

SGDRLLSRGNT, I too would like to thank you for your service, while am not much of a techie ( I actually need to ask some questions myself ) I would like to comment on the getting into KJing part. I think Dr Fred is really accurate in the previous post, if you like to sing then the venue you need to find is one that is maybe a smaller bar that hires you for a mid week type gig. My brother has his own karaoke show and he plays one venue where there are normally not that many people during the week, so when he brings in 10 to 15 singers and they have a few friends with them it makes it worth it to have him there and pay him for it.

We both love to sing and this type environment is definitely more condusive to getting to sing more. Of course during the holidays you may get a bigger crowd than normal on a weeknight and then you may need to control your ego and not sing as much, I struggle with that sometimes, just remember, karaoke is the star not you.

On the other hand I also agree that if you really love to sing that doing your own show might be an option. The problem with that is, you probably need to run a karaoke show or attend one for awhile and show people that you can sing well enough to carry a show. I know that I by myself could not carry a show, but between my brother and I, we could, and hopefully we will soon do a show. I am 45 and grew up on AM golden oldies and also loved the 80's music, my brother is 8 years younger and is more up on newer music so we can cover most genres of music.

Around these parts it seems like people don't come out till around 1030 PM so if a KJ doesn't have singers right away ( you know how alkie loosens people up to sing later in the night ) he had better be able to carry a tune to keep the show going. My brother prefers not to DJ during a karaoke show.

Of course much of what you read will be subjective according to the area you're in and the crowd you get. We try to accomodate as best we can, but its not always possible. All in all it is a fun and many times trying business ( hobby? ) you are lucky in the fact that you don't have to invest in the audio equipment as much as most. Good luck and keeps us updated.

Noted, thanks for the input!

  Speaking of which, What part of NJ are you from, Jam?  I'm in northeast Bergen County...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Ok I purchased about 100 Sweet Georgia Brown CD+G's and am looking at more. I also took Lomans advice(thanks) and purchased a hard drive player but it may get some negative comments which are welcome of course, its a Vocopro MJ PRO 40 GB player with some software that doesnt look very promising so I'll probably be purchasing some good software soon. Actually looked at some but I'm waiting til the player and discs arrive before I try some trial programs. I'd like some feedback on the Vocopro hardrive if anyone here owns it or has actually used it comments stemming from review or rumor are also welcome but would really like some hands on experienced users to comment.
  I would also Like to take this opportunity to thank Tater for his service to this great nation of ours, in case you dont know he is currently serving overseas in that God forsaken "HELL HOLE", sandpit or whatever you'd like to call it and I have been there done that and it is especially hard to deal with during the Holidays away from loved ones.
 THANKS TATER YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS COME HOME SAFE AND KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN BROTHER!

Is there a "best place" to buy Compuhost that has a great price,customer support and upgrades? Also I was considering the ripper and songbook from them as well any comments on that stuff?
thanks