Karaoke Forums

my niece just came back from New York where she works and said the big thing there is karaoke rooms where you and friends can go into a room and sing..depending on the time u can pay 12.00 for 8 hours, prime time is like 15.00 an hour..you walk in they have a book you find a song play it and sing...there r mic's and speakers in the room along with a couch and chairs... the 15.00 an hour is for each person in the room where as the 12.00 is for 1 and all in the room...they have different size rooms but all cost the same...not for me but it's interesting...I can see where you could make money at this if you have enough rooms...I would figure out a way to give them a recording and or video during prime time...while i'm at it I may as well serve food and drinks...yea I guess this could get out of hand...keep it simple

Max those are the "asian style" karaoke bars. Most larger cities have them

Here in the Seattle area, they are referred to as Karaoke Boxes. I have only ever been once, and it isn't for me. I like the feeling of being on a stage for a larger crowd. Plus I like the more unpredictable nature of the bar scene.

Besides.....in a karaoke box, who do I tell..."hey...do you have that song that goes like nah-nah duh dah nuh nah?" and "ooooh......sorry....can I change my song?"



-Chris

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-Chris

You would technically have to have your own licensing for each track to re-record them for commercial use. Buying the disc only licenced you for commercial performance/playback, NOT reselling recordings of the work, no matter who's singing them. You selling a CD of Jane Doe singing Pat Benetar is no different than someone trying to profit from selling professionally produced CDs of a current rockstar singing a Pat Benetar track. If you are going to profit from someone else's intellectual property, you have to compensate that person, you can't just steal their stuff!

Obviously, licencing the tracks for reproduction is cost prohibitive for a karaoke room, so this is either going to be illegal or not economically viable. Sorry!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

So, you can come to my karaoke with your 8 friends for four hours on a Saturday night for $0 + cheap drinks

OR

You can go to the karoake room with your 8 friends for four hours on a Saturday night for $480 + likely fairly expensive drinks.

Doesn't sound like a competitive pricing model to me.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Or you can buy your own PA system, software & the Cloud and set up your basement (or living room) as a karaoke room and never have to worry about kj's again

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

I believe that the karaoke room/box concept is a GREAT idea. I mentioned in another thread recently that I've never seen any bar really do something to attract parties. With all the birthday parties that happen every weekend, you would think that there are some bars out there that will give some things away to get that business. But - I've never seen it. And, I'm sure all of you know how busy it can get when a birthday party (or two) come struttin' in.

Having a karaoke room is one way to attract that business without giving away anything. In fact - you're not only attracting parties for nothing, you're making a ton of money from them! And, as a KJ - I'd MUCH rather do those types of shows than your traditional bar show. Assuming I'd be making the same amount of money, I'm sure I stand to make an extra $20-$50 every night just by being their personal host.

Heck, I'd even serve the drinks!

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

The one and only karaoke room place I've evern been to didn't have personal hosts....there were touch screens to select songs. Our waitress took a few minutes to show everyone how to use everything, then it was all us.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

We have several karaoke rooms around here, none of them have personal hosts. All selected & adjusted by the user.
I prefer going to a bar over one of these rooms. I too like the crowd and atmosphere. If I wanted to sing in a room with a bunch of people, I sure as hell wouldn't spend $15 a head on a room with a general selection, i'll invite them over to my place where there is a REAL sound system & selection.

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

Yes, but just like karaoke bars that have their own systems, there's no opportunity for the commercial KJ. But there are potential opportunities at the establishments that don't have their own set up. I doubt that any bars are going to turn their place into that type of karaoke club, but if there were private rooms, they could easily turn them into cash cows.

There's a lot of ways to make it happen. For instance, the KJ oversees karaoke in the private room/s, and maybe acts as a different type of host. Also, what about turning that room over 3-5 times in a night while you run the public show in the main area?

If I were a motivated KJ in need of shows, I'd seek out bars with ample space and less than ample business - and see if they would be interested in the concept. I really do think that there are bars out there with the right set up that could make serious cash for both them....and you!

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

So you'd want to actually buy and setup a PA system for multiple rooms at the same time purchasing a library for each room (since it's been already a loss in court for those who don't). Seems like more expense than it's worth for a kj since most of these rooms are your basic crap stuff anyway with very little in the way of anything music wise.

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

I'd set the library up on a server and ensure that no song would be used at the same exact time.

For the sound system, we're not talking about a super, high powered system that has to be heard in every corner of the bar. We're talking about a basic setup. I'm thinking I could put together a pretty good "mini-system" for about $800. Would I do that for 2-3 rooms? Depends on whether or not I'm getting a return. Since it is a new concept, I have no idea as to what I could make. But, if my profit was $100 per night from the rooms, it would pay for itself in less than 6 months at one night per week for a self-service set up.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

Which is what I just said, a company just got nailed for doing that exact server type setup. Those rooms need a separate library per room. Which is more than likely why they rarely have any very good selections.

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

Well, this is all hypothetical anyways. But, if that is the case - the best option might be to use off brand music.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

Way to skirt any legal issues - i'll just use other stuff even though i'm supposed to use 1 library per room - hypothetically screw em, that is provided the PRO (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC) don't get involved.

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

Surely you admit that this is a different animal than a) not buying legal music at all; and b) using a single library for multiple VENUES. This is all going on under one roof. If one is disk based, no one would expect the venue to purchase multiple libraries. A song would be requested and the disks would be shuffled between rooms. But, because they are digital - they have to buy multiple libraries? That's ridiculous.

But, I'm done with legal issues. You have your points, I have mine. Legal/piracy debates never go anywhere on here.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

Looking for something like this?
http://www.karaokesingsing.com/avea/price

I live in NY, and that place is fairly convenienet for me to get to, but I would never attend. Firstly, I'm not interested in the Private Room aspect, and secondly, I'm not going to pay $2 per song to sing in the open Bar area setup.

One of my regulars told me he frequents karaoke rooms with his girlfriend because it’s cheaper than getting a room in a hotel. What a cheapskate! He should sing the ac/dc song ‘dirty deeds done dirt cheap’!

Can’t do that anymore. A few years ago karaoke rooms in the bay area asian community were under scrutiny for possible prostitution & other illegal activities. A lot of them closed shop after the clamp down. They now have strict enforcement rules such as big clear un-tinted windows, all angles visible from the hallway & security cameras to monitor what’s going on inside. The kj from the link couldn’t have said it better. “The big red flag was why isn't anybody singing?" http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/special ... ate/vp49f/

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-595040.html

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

We had a very forward thinking company here in Dayton, Ohio called Karaoke City. Most of their money was made on outside gigs, but they took their storefront and made 3 lounges (The owner admitted he stole the idea from a PBS special on Japanese business life). Each room had a 48" TV, multiple mics with stands, and sectional couches.

The selling point was mini-karaoke parties for kids and teens. He sold it to grown-ups when he put cassette recorders in the rooms (It was the 90's, folks). It was $10 an hour and you had to bring your own cassettes for recording.

BTW, does anyone remember the "Sound Tracks" franchise that populated malls in the late 80's - early 90's?

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Karaoke should be a selfish pleasure.
Check out my Facebook page "Griff's Karaoke Adventures" to see how many tunes I can do without repeating!

I don't remember seeing those booths in the Malls, but I do remember them being set up at Amusement Parks such as Six Flags.