Karaoke Forums

hi there folks,
I have an extra laptop that i don't use and i would like to use it as a karaoke machine(mainly so i can torment my wife). I would like to know what i would need to get in order to use it as a functional unit for private parties at my house and possibly at a friends house. i'm sure i'll need a speaker, and a microphone but are there any better or worse ones to get? can i buy used? do i need special cables as well? also i'll probably need software, and are there any better programs out there? plus i'll need a monitor and stand probably, and then there's the question of where do i get my music from. i'm basically starting from scratch so any help would be appreciated.
thanks,
dan

the laptop is a player. Use it to send a signal to a amp. you can either use the direct LINE OUT or my personal recommendation is to get a usb device, such as Soundblaster MP3 + , which converts your audio signal to RCA connections. From that point, it's a standard setup. There are other threads here where people are asking about basic setups!

I too am wanting to put my karaoke files on a laptop. I haven't bought the laptop yet, but I do have a mixing amp, speakers, and monitor. I just want to see if I understand what I've read on here. I already have an external 120G hard drive, so I'm assuming that the hard drive on the laptop doesn't have to be very big. Also, since my external hard drive will connect to my desktop (which has the plextor on it) I don't think I will need to have a different burner on the laptop installed. Am I right so far? Okay, now I think I need a soundblaster MP3, a tv out, and some kind of hosting software. Am I missing anything?

pretty much.

The only thing I would recommend is on the hosting software.

Some people are looking for a software that has all kinds of bells and whistles.

Remember that software will also require time from you as the host in typing out names, and setting up stuff.

I personally am just using winamp as my player. I keep the singer's slips the same way I did when i just used the players as players. Now, the computer is the player.

See
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3804

for some of the winamp plug-in's (CD+G and pacemaker) that you will need to use winamp as player. They're all free downloads.

Actually there is a new Program out there that you can use so you dont need songbooks, and dont have to type anything. Buy a couple of garbage laptops, and load it, and the patrons pick their songs fom the computer database and it loads in into the Host computer. It communicates wirelessly.

But what fun would that be, I would rather have to Work that computer, and pick, and type, and play with all the freeware. people will think you are actually doing something.

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