Karaoke Forums

I am seriously considering replacing my old JVC for the Numark player.  However, I have reservations about having to use an outboard key changer.  Does anyone have any advice on one that works well.  I suppose that I will only need to use it on one of the audio outs from the player.  I have seen the Vocopro key changer in use and have witnessed that it will reset during a " lull" in the music.  My old AKJ7050 never reset, but it's too heavy( and not easily rack mounted) to be used exclusively for the occasional key control.

Cheers

One of the audio outs?  It just goes in line from the player to the mixer, so why wouldn't you use both outs?

Just curious.

The VocoPro is about the only brand that I know of that makes a somewhat ok external changer.  Not as good as the one in the JVC IMO though.

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It's just a thing with me.  I do the same with the home theater.  I never use the a/v receiver to switch video.  My thought is that every component you route your signal through degrades or alters it.  Hence, I try to eliminate any unnecessary connections.  I run the audio from my Hd box, dvd and VCR directly to the receiver and the video directly to the set.  My receiver does support HD processing, but why why chance it?  

I thought best to only route one of the player's outputs to the key changer.  I guess I am little bit anal.  Maybe some meds may do the trick.

Cheers

Only problem being is that cdg's are recorded in stereo just like cd's.  So if you are only using one channel for regular key & the other going to a key changer, you will eventually run into half the sound.  Van Halen songs are perfect example.  Several are recorded as the original album with guitar on 1 channel only.
If you are running in a club, audiophile quality isn't quite as important as the level of noise in a bar (club) is generally pretty high - for most places.

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Lonman:

I think you misunderstood what I was referring to.  If I am not mistaken the Numark player has audio outputs for each tray.  Hence, I was thinking of running only one side through the key changer and run the other side directly to the mixer.  I just wished that the Numark had switched audio/video circuitry (more so video).

Cheers

Just make sure that the Key Changer is true
(DSP)  If it doesn't have DSP tagged on the unit somewhere, stay away from it. There are a few manufactures that carry descent key changers, but DSP is a special chipset that is licensed...

Take Care
DonKaraoke

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Don't just say it.... Sing it...

Just make sure that the Key Changer is true
(DSP)  If it doesn't have DSP tagged on the unit somewhere, stay away from it. There are a few manufactures that carry descent key changers, but DSP is a special chipset that is licensed...

Take Care
DonKaraoke

_________________
Don't just say it.... Sing it...

Just make sure that the Key Changer is true
(DSP)  If it doesn't have DSP tagged on the unit somewhere, stay away from it. There are a few manufactures that carry descent key changers, but DSP is a special chipset that is licensed...

Take Care
DonKaraoke

_________________
Don't just say it.... Sing it...

How often do you actually use a key changer? I have used it 3 or 4 times in 6 years.
I have found them to sound terrible and I just suggest people sing in the key the cd+g was recorded.

None work well, disc or pc based

I get key change requests at least 10 times per night.

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Most of the time someone ask to chage key on  a song they can't sing in the 1st place.

Must be the area, Pittsburgh we all pretty much ignore key change request.

I have to disagree with you, The ones who ask for a key change usually are the ones that can sing. The adjust the key of the music to match there vocal range. We adjust the key of music a few times a night.

I hate changing key but there are time when you just have to do it. Try singing a female song when you are not a Female.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Today the average karaoke regular is a lot more sophisticated than a few years ago
They want and expect the KJ to have the ability to change keys.  A lot of the better singers practice at home and change keys regularly to match their range.
If your a KJ that tells your customers NO KEY CHANGES ..Chances are they will find another KJ and show that does offer key changes ...

Not true at all.  The ones that don't know how to sing DON'T ask for a  key change because they either don't know that one exists or they don't realize the song is out of their range.  Just because a song isn't in a key that someone can't sing, doesn't mean they can't sing.  Why would you think that?  I have a gentleman that has a VERY low voice, but sings excellent & wouldn't be able to sing most of the songs he does without a key change of some sort.
Listen to some of the older rock bands from the 60's, 70's even the 80's.    MANY of the "original" singers even need to have the music transposed to a lower key in order to sing it live.  Vocals don't last forever & even the "pros" realize that & change the key of the music accordingly.

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Is anyone familiar with http://www.prosing.com/display.asp?OrderNo=PLRQ0333 ? The RSQ333 ? I just ordered this Friday and i see digital key control. hopefully this one won't shift in a lull. i have been running karaoke for someone for about 7 years now and finally going it alone, so im a little scared
I previously used one that was a seperate thing altogether and it 99% of the time stayed in the key it was meant to stay in. rather embarassing when it didnt tho.
i get alot of request for key changes too, most of the times its for my regulars who might have a bit of a cold and cant hit the high notes, etc, but i have been known to try it, if they want it changed and if it didn't work as they hoped (not due to machine malfunction)or didnt sound right to them, i would stop it and restart it normally.
i sing really good but have a helluva time doing something i have to change the key for so i avoid it myself for fear of looking like an idiot

I just voiced my opinion, everyones situation is different. In all honesty I see 1 good singer a night if I'm lucky. The rest are average at best. Most of the subs in showcase would torch my singers.

In my opinion changing key on a song just does not sound good, if someone ask for it I do it but most of the time they say it's still off. I use PCKJ maybe there is an issue with this? It didn't sound right to me when I used disc, but I asked my other KJ he said he has had no problems. I'm switching over to Virtual DJ for karaoke so I will see how that goes in the next few weeks.

Myself personaly if I cant sing a song in the key that it is in I take note and do not attempt that song again.

well for the place i have played at for the last few years, i would have to say that 18 out of 20 of my singers are awesome singers and the other two..."good". i do have occasions when someone dont sing to well and its just brutal on the ears and of course i encourage them to clap that only encourages them to yodle more, but hey thats the whole point of karaoke - its just for fun - but that ain't always the way the good ones see it, so i cater to them in regards to key changes

well for the place i have played at for the last few years, i would have to say that 18 out of 20 of my singers are awesome singers and the other two..."good". i do have occasions when someone dont sing to well and its just brutal on the ears and of course i encourage them to clap that only encourages them to yodle more, but hey thats the whole point of karaoke - its just for fun - but that ain't always the way the good ones see it, so i cater to them in regards to key changes

[highlight=cadetblue]"If your a KJ that tells your customers NO KEY CHANGES ..Chances are they will "find another KJ and show that does offer key changes ..."[/highlight]

I have to say as a karaoke singer and as a 'retired' KDJ, I heartily agree with the above comment.  I used my key changer to optimise my own performance in much the same way that I adjusted my equipment at shows to enhance the performance of each individual singer - good or bad.  I feel that this is a vital part of the KDJing role and if singers don't know about key changers then we should make them aware of this particularly if they've struggled their way through their first attempt at a new song because it was obviously too high.