Karaoke Forums

OK, so I just upgraded from a home CDG player and ordered an RJ Tech RJ-100PK Professional Karaoke MPEG4 DVD/CD+G + USB + Card Reader
$109.99. Haven't got it yet.

Anyone out there have one?

Home use only, I love having friends over to sing, but don't really know what I'm doing, and have so many questions.

I haven't got my player yet, but I'm not sure how it will work to find the song you want if they are all stored on an external drive. Does the player have some sort of software that allows you to view and select songs?

I have some CDG file to convert to... MP3G, right? Then they are all on an external hard drive? How do I convert them? (I'm reading old postings but am getting lost)

I want songs. I see on Craigs list that they are sometimes sold.. thousands of them on a drive... dumb question probably...but should one do that? I am only doing this for home use so I'm real tempted, but would not want to get in trouble...

I'd like to just hook up the Karaoke player to the family room entertainment system, and sing songs from the TV. What else do I need?

(I will probably read this posting in a few years, and cringe at how stupid I sound. but I am eager to get a home digital karaoke setup, and don't know what I'm doing ... yet.)

Thanks mucho!

If you have a music store in your area, try looking at some basic used amp/mixers. In the home, I think 150-250 watts is plenty. Something like a set of 12 inch Sonic speakers would be perfect. A small monitor speaker would be good too. I mention Sonic because I use them. Others may have better suggestions on this site. Home entertainment systems can't handle live vocals...well, at least not where they would sound good.

" I can't help you on your particular player - but those are some questions you should have asked BEFORE you bought it "

Oh I know, You are totally right.. thats me though, I leap, then look. But, then If I look first, I'd never leap. So.. there ya go. Hopefully, there will be enough people here to help me figure out what I've bought, and what I need to do from here.

Keep the advice coming, this is really great, Thank you so much!

Since you're waiting on the player, you can download the manuals from here:

http://www.karaokewh.com/item_details.cfm/ProdID/10536-karaoke.html

Personally, I'm not familiar with that particular player. There are a few routes that you can go with the external drive. If you don't mind spending the time, you can type in the song list manually and create a database that you print song books from. I did this, and I have over 15,000 songs. It was a lot of work, but I had control over the numbering system and files.

There are karaoke songbook creator programs out there that you can use, too. It depends on how the system will access the files. I would imagine they will be numerical 5 or 6 digit format. I didn't read the player manual, but I would imagine the menu will be displayed on your television. I don't believe the song list will show up, it will most likely be in numerical order as I previously mentioned (hence the reason for a paper list).

Not sure about the legalities of a fully loaded drive for home use. I wouldn't imagine it wouldn't be any different than buying a "not so legitimate" copy of a movie. I don't see how anyone would know about it, but I'd be leary of the sound quality of those songs that are loaded. I've heard of people complaining about the Midi sound of some of those drives.

I agree with the advice not to use the home stereo system. I don't see a lot of home theaters dragged out to live music venues. If you are serious about having a truely fun home karaoke experience, I would spend some time tweaking the sound. Used equipment is a good way to go. A small amp/mixer and a good set of 12" speakers should work just fine. Shop around and find something that isn't too bulky, since you may be dragging it out of a closet, or keeping it in a corner. Have fun!

Yup, a little more research might have been a good idea. I DO wish you the best of luck with it, though....

NEVER sing through a home entertainment system. It's not designed for it, and one big note can blow it for you.

Pick up a small amp and a couple of speakers. Even 200w is more than enough for a standard living room.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

SO you right. I did not like the system that I ordered, and returned it.

NOW, I'm ready to get a PC based setup. Advice?

Software?

Amp/Mixer?

Speakers?

Thanks much,

Marlene

When I was walking through GC last weekend, I noticed the system that often gets spoken of on here - B52 Matrix system.

Here's their description and the specs:

[font=Garamond]A superbly portable coffeehouse system.

The B-52 Matrix-200 PA Speaker System with Stands includes the B-52 Matrix-200 System, and two Proline tripod speaker stands.

Matrix 200 Portable PA System
Compact, powerful and portable the MATRIX-200 Active Speaker PA System delivers clean, accurate sound ideal for both stage and music playback applications. The Matrix-200 has a true 200W stereo amplifier, built in 5-channel mixer, studio-quality digital effects, phantom power and two 2-way speaker cabinets.

The Matrix 200 is ideal for Mobile DJs, karaoke, nightclub/restaurant/bar installations, corporate and business presentations, stage monitoring system, etc. Speaker cables and suitcase to carry all three components is included.

Proline tripod speaker stand
Features a center steel shaft for maximum support and an aluminum body for lighter weight. Locking pins are included for extra safety. 150-lb. capacity. Fits 1.375" or 1.5" speaker mounts. Height adjusts from 45"-73".

B-52 Matrix 200 Portable PA System with Stands Features:
Matrix 200 Portable PA System
200W stereo amplifier (2 x 100w)
Four channels with both balanced XLR mic inputs
and unbalanced 1/4" jack line level inputs
15Vdc phantom power on balanced XLR
inputs
Independant PAN, TONE and EFFECT LEVEL
controls on each channel
Low distortion, low noise circuitry
Comprehensive amplifier and speaker protection
circuitry to
Eight built-in high quality DSP effects
optimized Dual 6.5" drivers and 1" phenolic tweeter in each speaker cabinet
Suitcase and speaker cables included
Proline speaker stand
Tripod design
Center steel shaft
Aluminum body
Locking pins
150-lb. capacity
Fits 1.375" or 1.5" speaker mounts
45"-73" height
B-52 Matrix 200 Portable PA System with Stands Specifications:
Matrix 200 Five-channel mixer
Four channels with both balanced XLR mic inputs and unbalanced 1/4" jack line level inputs
15V dc phantom power on balanced XLR inputs for condenser microphones
Pan, tone, and level controls on each channel
One stereo input channel for stereo sources
Dual input with 1/4" TRS jack and 3.5mm jack to connect any 2-channel source, Dedicated mono 1/4" jack INSTRUMENT input with frequency response contoured for acoustical instruments
Pan/balance, tone, and effect controls
Eight built-in high quality DSP effects
Level control to mix processed signal with main signal
INPUT/MASTER switch to route effects to either Master section or to individual channels
Powerful routing to combine optional outboard effects with internal DSP effects
Playback input/output RCA connectors with level control
Patch section to connect optional external processors, external effects, and foot switch
3-band master EQ section
XLR subwoofer output and SUB switch on rear panel to connect a powered subwoofer
Low distortion, low noise circuitry

Matrix 200 Stereo power amplifier
Output stage with discrete devices, not integrated IC amps
Output power of 2 x 100W RMS with high headroom
Comprehensive amplifier and speaker protection circuitry to guard against short circuits, DC offsets, over heating, turn-on thumps, subsonic and supersonic frequencies
Built-in stereo clip limiter
Equalization customized to enhance and optimize speaker system performance
Output for stereo headphones on rear panel
Very efficient cooling, utilizing a large heatsink and two direct flow fans
Power supply with low-noise torodial transformer and a dual voltage (115/230Vac) selector switch

Matrix 200 Loudspeakers
Dual 6.5" drivers optimized for Di'Ippolito configuration (one speaker high, one low)
1" exit phenolic tweeter on exponential horn to match acoustic response of 6.5" drivers
Dimensions (W x H x D): 20" x 32" x 15"
Weight: 80 lbs.[/font]

Karen did you actually have them demo it for you? It is a nice little system.

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

No, because lordy knows I don't need more equipment, but I have seen it in use. It is a very nice, compact system for people on a budget. I've always been amazed that they can do it for that little money. As usual, causes pause to wonder about markup.

Very neat, So the B 52 Matrix 200 has the amp, mixer and speakers. I wouldn't need to go mobile, but that is nice and compact.... after that I'd only need, mics, connect to my computer, and ready to go.

SO... for software: I think I will download the trial version of compuhost to see how that is... I read allot about that software here. Price to purchase is more than I think I'd need for home use, but the cheap software could cause more headache down the road.

Advice?

For straight karaoke, Justkaraoke is priced well within the home market. It is really a nice piece of software with most of the features availble in compuhost.

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

May I suggest autokdj?
It has many of the features of Compuhost but is totally free. It works in conjuction with Winamp, which is also totally free.
It's what I currently use and I am very satisfied with it.
It takes a little to learn some of the lesser used features, but if it's for home use, you'll never need to use those features anyway.
You can download it from here: http://www.autokdj.com/?q=node/26
You want the plugin for Winamp.
If you decide to go with it and you need help, I'm more than willing to assist, if I can.