Karaoke Forums

By the way, I SOOOO agree with Tig on PCDJ-RED. If they would have merely done the screen issue the way winamp did, I'd have stuck with that for EVERYTHING!

Your reply is quite surprising!  First, I rarely promote the MTU products and I'm sure some people will agree on this, but in this case, I honestly feel it's worth every penny you spend because it's well done and to me, that's what I call PRO work!

Now, if you like Winamp, that's fine with me, believe me, I just can't stand the sound of it but that's just my opinion, right? You know, I use Karawin and recently, I discovered a new software for free call Karafun, it's good but I would never use it if I were a KJ and that is ONLY MY OPINION whetter it pleases you or not, it's what we call freedom to express an opinion, I don't see where I need to let go????

Micky,

We've seen some zealots in the past that are very one sided and very noisy which accounts for much of Knightshow's response.  But I will say this, the way you phrased the comment it implied that if it wasn't MTU it wasn't professional.  I seem to remember one person that used to be here that thought that if you weren't using a 24 track studio (or more) and Pro Tools you weren't professional.

There are alternatives to commercial software and even if the tools aren't commercial doesn't mean the show isn't professional.  If you look at some of the software,etc you don't pay for it's hard to say they're not 'professional'.  Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenOffice, AmiWord, WinAmp, Divx, Ogg Vorbis, and the list goes on and on.

There are a number of software packages available from companies offering support, charge for the software, and provide a pretty good product.  Among these are indeed MTU's Hoster, SaxNDotty's, Tricerasoft's Swite Elite and similar products, PCDJ, and a couple others.

While I would consider all of these 'professional' quality hosting software, just because you don't pay for it doesn't mean that it's not 'professional'.  I use MP3 Tunes V2 for music and as long as you're not using an external controller I'd put it up against most of the prossional offerings in quality (still needs a little work on the database though).  Sounds great, works flawlessly, and if you're in the crowd you'd have no idea I was using it or something more 'professional'.

BTW, if you want to try them out, most of the commercial offerings have a trial version available so you can compare them head to head.

I'm not trying to pick on anyone or apologize for anything, just try to point out some of the history of the forum to explain why some things are said and perspectives are provided.

As logn as whatever software or combination fulfills YOUR needs for YOUR situation and setup then that is all that matters... getting input from many people on a number of different programs that all do the one main thing we want- play our karaoke from a PC- in one form or another... take everything with a grain of salt, use what ya can, disregard what ya can't and hopefully a solution will be found somewhere in the middle... what works with one KJ in a certain setup/venue may not work, or be appropriate, with another KJ and his/her setup just down the street... if something has more bells and whistle than what you require (or desire) then you will pass on a number of different types of hosting programs... if you like real basic and ease of use ("ease of use" is always going to be dependant on your computer experience or knowledge and level of comfort so it may be different for every KJ) then a program like winamp or other basic karaoke players may be all that you need... just as most of us use a variety of manufacturers for our hardware (speakers, mixers, amps etc) you may be best served with a combo of different software... I personally prefer PCDJ Red and winamp with the karaoke plugins and keychanger- Red for mixing dance and break music and winamp for mp3+G files and video... will that combo work for you? maybe... maybe not... the trick is to choose the software that fills your needs completely the first time around LOL the hard part is defining what your "needs" are for your situation and goals... something ot think about... - tig

Computers and software are only tools. We all use the tools to make our living/working as easy, and as Uniform as possible. It really doesn't matter what you use as long as it suits you.

That said, The reason I prefer the MTU Hoster product, is because they listen to all their customers. Check their forum, and you will see this. in the last 12 months, they had 11 new releases, with everything from multiple converters, to database changes and the ability to play MP3 music file from the same interface. They have even recently released a cheap version, for people that have their songbooks already to their likeing.  

If pckj suits you, use it. If they give you the service you need, Praise them. same with Sax&dotties.

To me Professional is providing the customer with a service with Uniformity, and quality

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

not dissin' that dr. d, but check this out:

I use a product that I install ONCE. No updates, no fixes, no patches, no bugs... I went with something basic, and I'm very happy with it. I don't need all the bells and whistles.

Why on earth would you want to continue to improve on a player?

Matt said:
Why on earth would you want to continue to improve on a player?


Isn't the Pioneer twin tray or JVC triple tray an improvement on the single tray player?  Anything man (and woman) has made, they will strive to improve, it's human nature.[/quote]

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Well it could be stated that the Pioneer laser player was a great player (I still use them today but they also play cdg), why change them out?  Technology would be the answer.  CDG took over & pretty much put the laser out of business.  I did get rid of my laser only players to the laser/cdg combo unit when they came out years ago.  DVD is taking over the movie industry over the VHS, even though the players are still good (at least mine is), but the quality just isn't the same & I am slowly replacing my movies over to DVD.  Computers (digital format) are going to be the new wave in karaoke eventually putting the cdg out of business.  Eventually a new format is going to come out that gives a lossless compression of a music file that will even make the wma look bad.  Will it need a different player, only time will tell.  Even the Winamp & S&D programs has put out new versions as has most programs ever made.  If you feel the upgrades are something you need, then you get the new version.  If it's not something you need & what you have is fine, then stay with what works.

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If you like what you have, then No problem.

But isn't that like buying a 51 chevy, then saying it still runs why should I Buy a 2005 model.

All I was saying is that Computer Karaoke is really still in its infancy as is computer Technology. I moved from Dos to windows. Why, well, because it was an improvement. That's why things change.

Change is not for everyone. But as improvements in technology take place I usualy move with it. For one thing, I build computer karaoke systems, and sell them. If I see something that works better, I don't sell the same old garbage to my customers just because it works. I try to build what I think is the best at the time.

Matt, This is my point  of view, I really don't mean it as anything else.

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Well said folks!

and yes, what Tim was pointing out, and then Lonnie, and then Dr. D. all said makes sense. It's what you want out of it. If you're happy with what you want, then fine.

The reason I asked is there are a lot of folks that think that a computer should do everything. From rotation to whatever.

And there's nothing wrong with that philosophy. I just find that the simpler the better. I know my rotation cause I have the slips in front of me. I know Lonman still does this, despite his computer rotation that's a tool for ease of use... mostly for his customers. What's funny is I saw that monitor, and STILL scanned his slips to find myself in rotation last friday! !

so while I PERSONALLY believe that simpler is better, I had to have it pounded in my head that not everyone will want that with computerized karaoke.

Thanks y'all.