Karaoke Forums

First I should say hi to those who remember me as I'm not on the karaoke forums much anymore.  I still see some familiar nics so maybe some of ya remember me.

I am considering running my show from a computer but I am scared of change and scared of crashes.  So I thought I would come to the experts for advice.  Who runs their show from a puter?  What software do you use?  What hardware requirements are best?  If you run from a puter can you still play a cdg if you have songs that are not loaded on your drive or if someone brings in their own disc?  I would also need to load all my laserdiscs onto the computer or transfer them to a VCD format.  I know I've been told what software will do that before but I'll be danged if I can remember.

All tips, info, knowledge appreciated.

build your computer (or buy one) and run SEVERAL shows at home, trying all sorts of things before you EVER go into a paid venue to do your show.

have a cdg player as a second player (with your computer being first player) and run them off a switch... this shouldn't be too much to handle, cause most kjs usually use more than one player at a time!

I won't say which software or players are best... cause it ALL works, and it depends on what you're LOOKING for in a computer hosted system. Do you want the pc to everything but unzip your fly? Or are you looking for a player ONLY type system? Everything from FREE software to hundreds of dollars on the hosting sytems is available... and we've talked about it a lot! Check out the TECH NICAL QUESTIONS forum...

To run a show off a computer you need the following:

1. A STABLE - yes, STABLE, computer.
2. Ripped copies of all your CDG's.
3. A software player of some kind.
4. Permission from every copyright holder of every CDG you have to rip them and use them.  Ok, never mind on this one, it's been done to death.

Ok, let's look at each one of the above - except #4 which takes years of discussion and we still get nowhere!

1. Stable computer.  This means hardware and software.  Put in plenty of memory, I recommend at least 512MB of ram, and burning in the hardware for at least 3-4 days.  I'd put the equipment in your car and drive around, load and unload the equipment 5-6 times buring in for a day or two each time.  You want to identify ANY potential loose connection BEFORE you use the computer in a live show.  The use of a drive to play/rip songs is debatable.  Some have a player (go Plextor or be DAMN sure it's compatilbe and will play CDG's BEFORE a show) and some don't.  Some don't because they don't want to be accused of 'stealing' a customers disc, and other want to be able to play the disc from the computer.   You'll also need a video card that is capable of outputing composite video or video over an S-video output.  As an option you can get a dual output video card and use a converter to get the second screen onto the TV's in the venues you play.  The converters are about $75 or so.  Install the operating system and absolutely necessary software ONLY!  Do NOT use this for a general use PC, don't use it for anything else.  ONLY for a show!

2.  Ripped copies of all your CDG's.  MP3+G Toolz, etc.  Make sure you rip to a format that matches your software.

3. Software player for ripped CDG's.  You can go with almost any software you like.  Winamp w/ plugins, Sax N Dotty's, PC DJ Red w/ karoake Add on, MTU Hoster, Tricerasoft's line of products, Karaoke-Go-Round, and the list goes on.  Pick one you're comfortable with and stick with it.  Defend your choice to the death.  er, wait.  Only some of the people here on the forum do that.  I recommend getting the trials and seeing what you like and don't like about each.  Pick the one that YOU ARE MOST COMFORTABLE WITH AND IS THE EASIEST FOR YOU TO USE!!!

4. Ignore #4 - it's still being beat ad nasuem.

That's it in a nutshell.  Once you get the system built and running, work with the software and get comfortable.  Invite friends over for a 'mock karaoke night' where you KJ and try out the rotation and see how it works.  Find the bugs and modify and move forward.  If you have to switch software I recommend you clean the machine and start with a fresh OS install.  I'd also be sure to put the hosting software/OS on one drive and the karaoke files on another.

Ripping the laserdiscs requires the use of video capture software/hardware.  Capture the video and use the proper codec to process the raw video for burning to VCD/SVCD's.  Make sure you have the specs set correctly.  If you're playing the videos from the computer you have more options but not if you plan to burn to VCD's eventually.  Codecs like DIVX work great on a computer but the hardware players out there are currently limited.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to.  We'll be around!

Blonde KJ,

A few months ago I decide I was going to go computerized for both my Karaoke and my DJ  shows.  I bought a new PC and have it dedicated JUST for these purposes.
You'll need a pro type sound card and a "DUAL"video card.   I'l leave the rest of the TECH stuff to the pros.  What I found out while transitioning to PC is that the regular DJ music was a BREEZE to rip  to pc.  The online database for regular CD's is great.
Automatically fills out TITLE ARTIST ALBUM GENRE etc.  so there is no typing.
KARAOKE ---Not so lucky.  You will have to retype all the information by hand or CUT & PASTE or get another program called "autoname" but then you need the KJ PRO Book software program.  Needless to say Im no where near complete ripping all my CDGS to my hardrive.   AND NOW the more I think about it I'm in no hurry.
Since you'll most likely need a seperate CDG player along with your PC to play customer discs etc and probably will bring oyur CDGS with you anyway JUST IN CASE your system crashes - I'm thinking for the 45-50 karaoke songs a night
It's just as easy to use CDGS? ---Maybe I'm wrong. - The DJ music I'm happy I'm using PC - It's easy to mix music . look up songs, and make changes on the fly - KJ'ing for all these years I don't see the real need to have that quick access at my finger tips.   I'll continue to rip all my CDGS to my hardrive and I'm sure once its all done - I'll be happy I did it.    GOOD LUCK

Thanks for the helpful replies!  I'm not 100% sure that I want to go to a computer driven show....but lightening up the equipment load in/load out would be a nice perk.  I have over 7000 titles so loading them all up on the puter would take some time and if I have to manually load in all the artists/titles/numbers that would be even more work.  I guess I forgot about that part, I figured I could transfer the data from Excel.  Duh...

I'm sorry I didn't just do a search for the info I want but I'm not sure how to search this site, so I asked.  Forgive me.

If I choose to just transfer my laserdiscs to vcd which software works for that?  I have burners and I used to have the cdg software but it's not compatible with XP so I'm going to have to buy new software for burning backup of my cdgs and/or transferring my lasers to cds.

BTW...I was hoping to run into Timberlea and JDMeister.  If y'all see them, say hey for me please.

Hello,

something to think about also when considering moving to a computer driven show is the following.

When club owners see the smaller amount of equipment that the KJ physically has to carry around, doesn't this sometimes deter from the amount that the KJ could potentially charge for their services.  

I am personally not a KJ, but know several of them in quite a few areas, and this seems to be one of the main reasons i CANNOT convince to go to the laptop.

Of course even though the laptop may reduce the amount of crates, etc binders, etc that the KJ has to lug around, you still have the mixers, sound systems and such.  Just a thought.  I apologize if this thread has been finished.

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I can assure you that even though all my DJ music is on my laptop it only keeps me from bringing in a couple thousand CD's!  Everything else is there - speakers, amps, mixers, effects, etc.  Yes, you could setup up with a small Behringer mixer, a laptop, a pair of wireless mics, and plug into the house system but I prefer to use a high quality mixer (Mackie Onyx 1620 Baby! - insert grunting noises here), effects, and other equipment to insure a good show.  Besides, even if I went 100% to laptop I'd still haul in most of my gear since it's in a rack and I'd just slap a rack mount computer into the case!

It's the overall quality of the show and the ability of the person playing to draw people into the house and get them to spend money - not how much equipment you bring or don't bring that should determine the price paid.

On a side note, I will say that when you don't show up with much sometimes they start thinking that anyone can do it.... or my cousin Billy Bob has a 'puter and he'll work for beer!

http://www.basoncomputer.com/category.aspx?id=2015

Fantastic deals on larger hard drives! I've been doing business with this site lately, and like them a lot!

I carry 2 notebooks and 2 hard drives in case of a crash, all though it has never happened. I use seagate 300 gig externals for my drives. Maya 44 usb soundcards for better sound. The same great mackie mixer someone was grunting about.

Software i use PCDJ with the karaoke plug in.

My view is PC based KJ make more money as they are up with technology as cd's are a thing of the past. Computers don't skip and your cd+g's are save at home not getting scratched.

How do you figure you save money or make more per show.  A player and mixer are less expensive than a computer.  You still have to buy the discs or a legal download, plus the time to rip it all into you computer.  I still don't see the savings, if anything, it costs more in equipment and time.  In about 14 years we'ver replaced our KJ tools at a cost of 60 dollars and then sold the old set, only two songs in the whole set skipped but what the hey, they've paid for themselves many times over.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I save because since I've converted:

* never had a disc scratch.
* they play the same over and over
* easy to queue up in advance
* easy to search
* customizable advertising and customer screens
* less equipment to have with you
* less WEIGHT to have with you
* the more discs I buy, the same the unit weighs...
* with cdgs, you take the cd out of the case or storage unit, and insert it into the player... a player that can be clogged by dust and grime (smoke especially), and even with meticulous care, mistakes happen.  Once converted and properly labeled, there is virtually nothing that can happen to your computerized collection, other than a hard drive failure, which is very rare.

I also play music videos off this pc. I also play music songs (background "filler" music... all of which does not make the unit weigh that much more.

Savings?? While no physical finanicial cost advantage (yes, with more equipment, of course your computerized setup will cost more initially), I find that the less worry I have over my physical inventory is far worth the expense of going computer. And having less physically to be concerned about is savings enough!

The speed of loading up the songs is negligable to running a disc show... it IS faster, but the songs being played is at the same speed on a computer as a disc show. But I find I can queue up an entire rotation during one song that's being played, rather than having one or two discs out awaiting to be inserted into a physical player... so I can spend a LOT more time with customer service than I had before.

As with all things, it's entirely individualistic. And it does take a bit of time to get used to the "newer" way of running a rotation. I know my customers are very happy with what I've got now!

The same smoke/dust that can get into my player can get into your computer.   My partner having been in the business over 14 years has never lost a disc.  In most venues takes less than 90 seconds to bring in over 1,000 discs with no lifting, it's called a dolly check our set up in my album.  Finding a disc takes less than 5 seconds and if a singer wants to change what they want to sing is no big deal.  Even if you cue up instantaneously, singers still need to get down and come up to the stage.  You still have to stay by the board to ensure proper mix for the singer, so more time for customer service is negligible for either system.  Stealing your hard drive is much easier than trying to steal our discs.  Further as it stands now, at least in the U.S.. format shifting is illegal.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

legalities aside, no manufacturer is going to come after a solid customer for format shifting! Gimmie a break! I bought the same discs you do (so to speak). The grime you speak of in the air doesn't get INTO the hard drives. They are a sealed unit! Where the grime can get into the mechanism of the player gears, which can and does lock up players.

I can blow off the grime and dust from a pc... it's called a can of air. Not so easy to do that on movable, interlocking parts of a player.

I'm truly glad your partner never lost a disc in 14 years. I had one break on me when I was cleaning it. Another I dropped when jostled by a customer, and it was stepped on. Then I had a kj that worked for me that flat out ruined 10 discs, and my ex partner ruined several originals trying a "disc doctor" on it!

1000 discs go into at least three binders, if not four, or in your case, a cart that you dolly in. As for stealing a hard drive, ain't no way... unless they steal the whole computer. Kinda hard to do that with it playing! Five seconds seems a bit conservative, but I did address that issue in my last post.

What I meant by the customer service still stands when you have an entire rotation and can tell at a glance which one's up, just like the ol' disc method. But in my scenario, twenty singers are queued up, where you have 1-4 at best!

We can tell at a glance what the rotation is who's next etc.  Four or thirty songs cued up is irrelevant.  You can only play one song at a time.  Dust and grime can get into other parts of the computer.  You are also hoping the manufacturers won't do anything, if they decide to act you're screwed.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

If I may participate --From someone who is sitting on the fence - I'm 1/4 of the way ripping all my cdgs to my hardrive. I've decided a few months back to go the  PC route for both DJ and KJ work.  In the years I've used my JVC and my CDGS I never had a player clog up or not work properly due to smoke or grime.  Had them start to act up after years of working week after week --But thats normal wear & tear.  The computer thing works GREAT for my DJ and mix music for partys and dance sets etc.  GREATEST thing I've ever done.   Once I'm done getting all the CDG in the system I'm sure I'll feel the same way.  Right now I'm using a DESK TOP ---not the way to go - if your going PC ---LAPTOP is the only way.
There is pros and cons about each system - NOT one is better its more of a preference thing ..I feel.    The truth is each show runs the same --there is no real  time savings.  I do find myself right now bringing back ups with me so I'm bringing MORE equipment around than in the past.   Maybe that will change once I get more comfortable with the whole PC thing.  But from what I read --I'm always goimg to have to bring the EXTRA cdg PLAYER for customer discs anyway so what I'm I really saving ???..   If you like technology and your're good with computers --You'l go the PC route.   If you fear change and computers you won't and you'll be just as Happy and effecient .   PCKJ 'S ARE NOT ANY BETTER OR WORSE THAN A cdg kj... Some say TOMATO AND SOME SAY TOMAATO  

Well said.  I'm on the fence too.  A KJ/DJ friend of mine recently computerized and I see some niceties (more on the DJ side), but I haven't felt compelled to invest the time and $$$ yet.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Well said Jams.  I'm not against a computerized system, but right now I don't see any tangible or financial advantages.  Not afraid of progress just if there's no real benefit, why bother.  

BTW hi BlondeKJ

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You can be strange but not a stranger

For those of your who wants to do their KJ from a computer, I would suggest this product for your storage. It's' a networked storage that stores 1TB or more but fairly affordable. It is a 1U rack mounted storage that offers drive failure protection vis RAID 5. Just rack it up, connect via network and it shows up as a drive on your computer. It's one thing you won't have to have a back up device. I have the desktop version and I really like mine. Supposedly that the rack mount version is the same thing, just in a 1U case.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

gee, and I just have a desktop with three 300gb hdds (1 a backup) in a removable tray. You can get 300gb hdds from online for $113 each right now!

Running a show from a computer is a convenience factor and nothing else for me.  I'm already on a laptop for my DJ stuff and I'm considering going to the laptop for my KJ stuff in the near future.  All my DJ music was bought as MP3's so I'm legal but I haven't switched the KJ stuff because of the legalities thus far.  Eventually I'll make the jump and do it anyway, but only because I'm already hauling a computer and will be playing back over firewire through my mixer saving a lot of time and setup.

I can continue to do my show with CDG's but moving to a show with a rack mounted CPU will speed everything up for me.  Yes, it's an investment in time but I'm buying karaoke XTREME discs which have MTU hoster files on the discs already.  I can actually download the tracks I already have instead of ripping them myself and do a few other things to speed up the transition (including talking with others who have ripped their collections and only get the tracks I already have from them).  BTW, that's no more illegal than ripping the tracks I have myself.