Karaoke Forums

No, I don't mean some kind of charitable benefit or marathon, I'm just curious as to how many here actually feel like they couldn't go on if it weren't for karaoke?
How does it affect your life?
What if you couldn't do it any longer?
Would you know some of the people you now know if it weren't for karaoke?
Does it interfere with normal everyday life functioning?
Do you wake up every morning singing a different tune or wondering what your next one will be?
Do others close around you wish you would give it up?
Did it turn you into a bar fly/alcoholic?
Does it make you feel alive?
Do you over spend your budget buying karaoke related gear/equipment/Cdgs?
Does the last ounce of anticipation left in your mind involve not being late for karaoke night (besides having s*x of course)?
Has your karaoke success led you to believe that you can do almost anything?
Did you meet a new special someone because of not hiding in the corner any longer?
Do your aspirations to get better and better at it persuade you to set higher standards in personal success (job/family/ultimate goals)?
Did karaoke enhance your appreciation of music in general?
Does living the karaoke life make you want to be a DJ/KJ just to get your fix?
Have you ever thought about having a karaokethon for the less fortunate?
Are you thinking right now......What's with the 20 questions and all?

If any of this applies to you, you're definitely an addict!!

Here's your sign. (mine too)  :mrgreen:  :wave:

Karaoke isn't my whole life, but it is a big (and FUN) part of it since I started doing it last year!  (I could have gone tonight, but I was tired and decided to stay in and do the chat room thing instead.)  I have met some nice people, and I've gotten a lot more confident.  

As for equipment, I do have some accompaniment tapes and Cd's (mostly made by the Priddis company).  I used to have a karaoke machine--the old-fashioned kind with a dual cassette deck.  But I wound up using it more for taping cassettes than I did for singing, and I think that's what wore it out!  

I did the radio DJ thing in college, but I don't really want to do that or KJ now.  I'd get burned out on hearing the same songs all the time!  And I'm not that good at dealing with problematic people (in fact, sometimes I AM one ).  I'd rather just go and sing and have fun.    :dancin:  :worship:

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I love being a mom!

Just for haha's let me try taking a different perspective on this. I assume this question is open to a divergence of perspectives. ( I have given this no prior thought, this post is a whim based on glancing at the original post).

Prior to Karaoke people that wanted to sing (and granted there were fewer that tried to sing) called upon musician's that accompanied vocalists (we pianists).  I've been out've the lounge, and bar piano circuit for a little under 10 years now.. I'm not sure how the advent of Karaoke as bar entertainment has affected the "lounge pianist's" position... I can guess, but never took a survey....


My point being, assuming I wasn't attempting to further my interest's in music, and attempting to be a singer when I grow up.... As a musician accompanist, who worked with you vocalist's for at least 25 years prior to karaoke,  If that were solely my bread and butter, and what I loved doing.... If *MY* life would be more enjoyable without Karaoke


(just food for thought)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

The only time I do karaoke is when I have given the band a night off and I have a gig do play where I know the audience is not going to be more than a couple of hundred people. I will pull out my karaoke player, dust it off and take it with me, along with my  guitar, amp and sound equipment. I will do a show by myself using karaoke backing tracks and my guitar. Most of the time I am playing with one of the hottest  country bands in Texas (my opinion) . Every now and then, we actually dont have a show to do (which is rare because I usually do 2 shows back to back on Saturday alone), and I will go hang out with a friend of mine who does a karaoke show. Everyone gets a kick out of me being there and I get to have some fun interacting with the audience using karaoke music.  It is a lot of fun, but it would drive me crazy to do karaoke all the time. Nothing can beat a stage and singing with a live band. I do see a need for karaoke though. It seems a lot more economical to use backing tracks than to pay your band to play, and they will always show up...on time! not to say that is a problem anymore. It used to be a real problem in the beginning, but now we are at a stage where we are recognized everywhere we go in this area and people will walk up to me and others in the band when they see us out either together or on our own and want to talk to us about our music. It is a lot of fun.  I also use the karaoke backing tracks to sub here on SS, because it is so easy to just walk in to the computer, turn on the sound system, recording equipment, computer, and lay something down. My problem is, I would go crazy if I could not sing on stage at least once a week!  That is how I unwind from spending the work week teaching school.--Mike

Yeah Mike,  Similarly, we used to multitrack and self-accompany..Around 1982 I did a few gig's as a "one man band" using a Fostex analogue 4-track studio into the PA... I suppose in certain way's this was comparable to Karaoke, except IMHO it involved abit more sophisticated general musicianship...and in my particular case wasn't singing venue but  Jazz,  rock-fusion, and blues styles  (Swing, etc.)  instrumental's. (main combo pieces+ horn sections).  Easy listening too of course (light jazz style). When I did lounge piano gig's I at times was my own bassist, drummer, and guitarist, as well as horn player .  Thing is I had to use my own Yamaha digital grand of course...tough to tune the backing to a standard lounge piano...Or at least I lacked the technology of a wheel to fine-tune back in those days.


Actually this is one of the reason's I never got into computer Midi.... I'm still a traditionalist that considers certain aspects of music (albeit fun),  cheating....Thing is, since I know very little about interfacing midi with computer, I haven't a clue what I might be missing... Now that I'm reading what can be done, it appears that we instrumentalist's can have a blast without really "cheating", not sure...

I use "jam tracks" as a means of "Karaoke" for guitarists and bassists...Also online interactive instruction "riff interactive" is a fabulous thing...So technology has it's advantages too of course. I don't even know what the definition of karaoke is. Does the definition imply "singing" to tracks ?   or might it also include musician's using backing tracks as practice/session tools ?

Regarding technology changing music, 2006 is a big year for me... I wrote a paper, and wagered ALOT of money in 2001, that within 5 years, the Boston Pop's will have one or more turntables in their percussion section, and the turntable will become an accepted addition to pop orchestra's and be considered a percussion instrument..

(the concept came as the result of a DJ kicking my @$$ in a debate....The topic was, "Is the turntable a musical instrument"). I was younger, even dumber, and left the word "traditional" out've my premise between the words "Not & musical instrument"...
JMHO

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Yes, that is interesting. What does karaoke mean? Is it Japanese? The reason I say that is, I've always associated it with something I've seen in a movie where several Asians would be on a stage with mics doing a terrible rendition of [insert any song here]?????????
I don't want to offend anyone by saying this, but, I think karaoke is just an instrument for all amateur singers to take a shot at their 4 minutes of fame, and when I say amateur, I mean myself also. There are people singing on here right this moment who are special enough to be in a real band or group, but the opportunity just won't ever arise for most people.
I can say that this amateur singing thing has been the most fun I think I've ever had in a lifetime, and I wonder how many others share the feeling.
It would be awesome to be able to write and read music, then be the pilot of a rockin' band, but that's just more effort than alot of people are willing to submit to.
As far as entertainment factor, karaoke fills the need. I thoroughly enjoy watching all different types of people grab a mic and give it their best shot, and if the music's hot,  8)
It's also a great conversational tool for otherwise boring people like me. People seem to love to be complimented after a sing, even if it wasn't so great. It's like one big happy family to me I guess.
So, I guess all of those questions really came from my heart and probably describe me to the letter, but I'm sure others here are just as engulfed by the whole concept or else this place wouldn't be labeled Karaoke Scene?
Well, all of the questions except for the one about meeting a special someone.....hey, I'm not committing suicide here, wifey might be spying.

Hey!  I play the piano too and have accompanied lots of choirs, soloists and instrumentalists.  Right now I play for a church (in addition to my "day job" doing data entry in a billing office).

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I love being a mom!

Oh please, cheating with computer Midi? Steven, get real. Just because you don't want to go with change, does not mean every one else is cheating. You just said yourself Thing is, since I know very little about interfacing midi with computer, I haven't a clue what I might be missing... and then you continue saying I use "jam tracks" as a means of "Karaoke" for guitarists and bassists. What is that different to MIDI. BTW, do you know what MIDI is? I suggest you get more educated on MIDI before making lame statements like that. Do some research and you will see that even big names like Pink Floyd use MIDI during their live performances.

yep... on professional equipment, Tig was right, the MIDI does sound exceptional!

I agree Matt. The problem is that a lot of people start with MIDI on some cheap-a$$ sound-card, and then expect it to sound good. If any-one has ever heard the Roland TD-20S V-Pro Electronic Drum Set ($6,699.00) and still tell me MIDI is/sounds like crap, then get a hearing aid. Ever tried the Roland Fantom-XR Sound Module, triggered by MIDI events  :dancin: Hmmmmmmmmm, old fashioned, my a$$! I'd rather stay on top of technology.

Allstar, I'm not disagreeing with you. As I've stated in the past week or-so, I've been living blind as to what interfacing with a computer actually is, For no other reason than (as you say) I was never introduced to aspect's of how a musician can benefit from audio interfacing.. The FULL exposure I had to cakewalk 7-8 years ago, left me believing that the musician was using his computer as a digital synth workstation, sequencer..  I already had my Korg and figured I'd continue using the actual onboard features, rather than going with what I perceived as being use of a separate keyboard controller via outboard workstation (computer)...I agree I was and am VERY naive as to what's out there regarding the advent of computer interfacing for musicians...I also admit whole-heartedly to being a technophobe, having trouble with parametric two button etc type setting for the digital synths I own, and favoring turning nobs...So yes,  I *feared* change.... NO argument from me...but as I've recently mentioned, (in fact planned on doing this past weekend until I started reading all the possibilities for we multiinstrumentalists interfacing) I'm NOW ready, and excited about making the change into the new world of audio-interfacing (even if I am entering the realm at around 1988).  I downloaded your article *The personal computer based Music studio*, even printed it out, read it...and I'm looking at my catalog's to order...Yet I'm just more confused, and don't want to bug people by asking question's they had answers to, 15 years ago in their school.....Where I'm currently stumped is...Do I go with Firewire, USB, or Line-in ? What are the differences ?.. Do I interface using something like the M-Audio black box guitar processor & USB interface ?  or as a multiinstrumentalist am I better off purchasing a weighted keyboard controller and interfacing using a Mackie, or Behringer MX type mixer ?  OR would I be foolish for even going with Behringer for occassional home use. (It would be my first pick cost-wise but I see it get trashed so much in terms of quality) So what Make do I buy ? OR, should I buy a small digital recording studio with a harddrive and use that as in interface for about the same price as the M-audio 1010, or PreSonus type unit... I don't know where to start.  I don't want to make the wrong purchases..... I also don't want to be a total pain in the @ss and ask stupid questions that aren't karaoke related..... I'm ready to buy.... I'm ready to grab the bull by the tail, and face the new world of technology..Problem is as a multiinstrumentalist, there seem to be many possible routes I can take, and I want to make a reasonable choice......Will I now need to open my system and get a new soundcard ? I haven't a clue where to begin.

I agree with you Allstar,  I should've used the word "Considered", and not consider's which implies currently believes... Had I done that, my paragraph would've been consistent with what I've stated here in the past....WHich is NOT my current thought...



Now what do I buy  ?



I believe "Musical instrument digital interface",  in terms of what it stands for...

Do I know what it means ?  Do I know the broad spectrum of it's capabilities ?  No,  I haven't a clue yet..  As to the digital vs Analog aspects ?   I've always felt in terms of musicians interests... The Analog Mellotron is as fine as replication can get... Am I correct however ?   Again,  I haven't a clue....That WAS just my opinion....


and I mean it

I'm not disagreeing with you Allstar,  I DON'T know what's out there....I was never exposed to it like many of the younger folks are.. Also please consider, I don't have several thousand that I currently can spend on top of the line cutting edge, or even pro-end technology. All that money went back on analog gear, and guitars, amps, etc..  This is VERY new to me. I just want to get a reasonable starter rig I can expand as I start learning where I wish to be with this



Pertaining to "karaoke-like",  I put the backing into my CD player, plug the guitar into the 65 reissue Twin,  and practice my riff's driving the neighbor's nuts.... I don't really do MIDI in that particular case do I ?   I'm not mixing or interfacing and recording,,  Just sitting in of sorts  Do you know anything about the Tascam CDGT guitar trainer btw ?  Is that fun ?


Here's my problem.. This is the VERY beginning of my building a digital studio.. I haven't a clue given *my* interests, what fundamental components to purchase, I don't want to just plug in the Shure microphone, I need to have the ability to interface guitar, and keyboards as well, so that changes my choice options abit from where other's just wanting to do Karaoke would buy.. Or should I go Rack ?   Loads of questions

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Steven, you see, that's all you needed. Getting slapped around a bit and now we can talk  :hi5:
So, let's just start a new thread in the techie forum. We will discuss MIDI and related stuff. The reason for that is that there are many people here that use the same equipment, and those who don't don't need to read it, or make smart a$$ comments, or hijack the thread. So, click here, we'll discuss all your questions, and I am sure we will find many a people joining us.

I was told not to long ago that we can discuss anything thing here

Yep, like I said, one big happy family.........
I like how a thread around here takes a sudden turn into oblivion for no reason at all.
Hell, if someone's bored, they can just jump in anywhere and be in the conversation.  ROFL

I still like this place though....it's just alot of wading through the mud to get to the point. Speaking of which, I guess this thread really had no point, so it's a free-for-all, have at it.  :biggrinthumb:

Great,  thanks !    I'm aware -, and didn't want to have my questions met with..... "Sheeesh Kaplan, - scene....go to another home recording BBS and leave us alone"..  So I joined Home Recording BBS too, and am reading and reading and reading...


I'll head over right now Allstar... As I've stated, I'm here for one reason, and that's to learn, and chat with other's that love music... I have no aversion to being put in my place when necessary ..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Hi Stevie, if you are at Home Recording  BBS, try and keep away from the Cave




you will know why

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

   I've been reading over there about an hour a night for the past week, and absorbing some tech stuff regarding analog equip especially..and digital newer stuff in hopes of understanding purchases for musical interfacing with computer . I went there a few weeks back researching reel-reel equip, and Karyoker recommended I join... I'm doing what a respectable newbie should do, and reading, and trying to get to know what's what, and who's whom over there.... prior to opening my mouth, which in some cases is like taking the lid off've the trashcan .."The Cave" ?    OK, another thing for me to check out later, or see just how close I might wish to get  <music to Twilight Zone play's in background>

D@mn, I'd love to open up a guitar amp in a cave...what great natural reverberation... OF course you'd need a pretty long power cord.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

(Before I attend to real life)

Sorry Perry, I take responsibility for opening this up for such possible tangentiality, by interjecting terms such as "musicianship"  "MIDI" "traditionalist" and projecting my own limitations and opinions in area's that most here have varying degree's of interest in....So let me attempt to adhere more to your outline in hopes of turning this back into what you intended this thread to be, and try to exonerate my sorry butt for inadvertently threadjacking...




I've never done Karaoke as a soloist "on a stage' or in front of an audience... Just a few friends and other folks who were seriously into music and singing..I learned some tips about singing too -something I never considered myself able to do... I still do not..I have done backup vocals, and falsetto work onstage, yet NEVER solo stuff,  Regarding what I have exposure to such as R&B style ie, I have backed up ( in Karaoke venues) Veteran singers who'd go out sunday nights and do Stylistic's, Delfonic, Earth Wind and Fire, Commodore's stuff, Freddie Jackson stuff, etc.

 My experience singing solo was just practicing, and trying to learn how to sing... This was all done in a side studio room with a CAV's Jukebox, where I could tape my nasty voice too on, and try to learn something......I think Karaoke is an amazing practice tool, as well as a form of recreation. (Yet perhaps to the pro live singer, it's fun in the same way the athlete might :workout:... or display aspects of their talent...Like Mike mentioned, it's no substitute for the live band.... Yet is more fun than just the older type "Band in a box" rhythm accompaniment.... Also I believe it's a great educational venue for the aspiring classical vocal musician who no longer needs the accompaniment of tougher to find backing instrumentals, chamber orchestra's, pro bands.....etc .. Outside of Karaoke being just an occassional fun activity, and a means of trying to learn something new...It's fun, but it's also a distraction from doing other important things in my life...As are Karaoke boards... Life would resume without it..and I'm sure no less productively...




If the time comes that I *EVER* amount to a half decent vocalist (or even a 1/10th decent vocalist for that matter), and it's served it's purpose as an invaluable training tool for me....PERSONALLY,  I'll more honestly be able to proclaim that I'd be VERY unhappy if I couldn't partake in something so productive in a musicians development (such as Karaoke); if it turns out, Karoake is little more than just a fun game for *ME*...It won't be missed anymore than I'd miss an online Flight Simulator, or "Sweating to the oldies" tape....(well quite honestly, I've never even seen one of those...but I'd get over it); Reality being,  I'd still be a musician who'd interact likely MORE now with other musicians (Vocalists), assuming it ceased to be, and not be trying to become something I'm not.

For me this is just something that's fun...I've tried singing, and playing my own accompaniment, I don't need Karaoke...



No, and *THIS* is by all means the biggest  asset Karaoke has had in my life; Here's an example..  A little over a year ago I joined a Karaoke board (I won't divulge any names),  I've gotten more sex than I can ever imagine even wanting..... The Girl's really want me,  most of the guy's do too   I've even made a few platonic friends...



no more than any other excuse I can find to procrastinate doing the things I should be doing, such as going out, doing stuff in real....Another welcome distraction for me, just like Karaoke boards...




That stopped after my singing attracted my last ex, Her name was Mabel...I won't get into details.





No, I don't dare let this skeleton out've the closet.. I'm not totally perverse !



No, I credit and thank the 1970's, and my genetic wiring for that  


 (CONTINUED)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Nah,  on second thought I won't continue

Karaoke is somewhat of a hobby for me,  but I have NUMEROUS other hobbies..and could live quite comfortably without it... What I value most is meeting talented vocalists, and other musicians, as well as sound techs, etc...It's another musical venue for me, and I love being around artistic people, beit it music, visual arts etc.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Good questions!  :oh yeah:

I could live without karaoke...but without singing? That would be really hard. That I don't think I could do. I have been singing a lot longer than I've been doing karaoke.  However, karaoke did help me improve my singing quite a lot the past 15 years and also gave me more confidence.

I would love to go to karaoke  every week or more often, but I only go about once a month or less because it's nor very good here...so in that sense I'm not a karaoka addict...

I spend a lot of time talking about karaoke and singing, here and on JOLT and KU.  It would mess with my online social life  :D

Steve, I love those hippos!!

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~Suzanne Lanoue~

You crack me up Steve!! LMMFAO!!

No, and *THIS* is by all means the biggest  asset Karaoke has had in my life; Here's an example..  A little over a year ago I joined a Karaoke board (I won't divulge any names),  I've gotten more sex than I can ever imagine even wanting..... The Girl's really want me,  most of the guy's do too    I've even made a few platonic friends...

Okay, I admit, I may be carrying this new obsession of mine a bit too far, but I still limit myself. Like right now, I need a new computer so I can start showcasing my voice here at SS, but I'm already in pretty serious debt, and I'm not going to make it worse by buying a new computer with my debt money. That's why I keep hanging out in the forums, if I can't showcase yet, I can atleast make cyberfriends, eh?

Another concern of mine is that anyday, my dedicated driving route on my job could change and I would no longer be able to do karaoke at the place where I go to now.  I would feel devastated I think. I mean, it's bad enough being a truck driver living away from home a couple days at a time, but atleast I have something to look forward to at the end of a long day a couple times a month, the bar, the people, the singing. They all know me as a regular for the most part, or they recognize me and make me feel welcome. Hell, I don't even get that at home. (no friends)

And to think, a few years ago, it never crossed my mind that I'd ever get involved in such an enjoyable event. I remember it started while driving through Ohio a few years ago, I'd just bought a new Creed cassette "Human Clay". The more I listened, I started trying to sing along, then the more I thought......I sound like this, why can't I do this? I use to change music types often. I'd listen to country for a few months, then pop, then alternative/rock etc...
It wasn't until I found out that the place I stay at had karaoke on Tue/Weds. that I started to watch others. Then a hotel desk clerk girl who was in the bar one night suggested that I try it. The rest is history. I made it a new obsession.
I remember when I was about 20 years old, I was fooling around with an old tape recorder while listening to an old Bob Seger song. I decided to try to sing along and tape it. Man was I stunned. I was terrible!!
So, 20 years later, here I am trying to accomplish something that was nearly impossible or unimaginable before, and it materialized.
I never thought it would have the effect that it does on me though. I can't say that it feels wrong, but at the same time, I kind of feel stuck in the middle somewhere between the life that I've chosen over the years and being some kind of an all out performer. I never could play instruments. We had a little elcheapo electric organ when I was a kid, and a song book with corny music that I use to sit and practice. My Great Aunt still compliments me on my rendition of "Libestraum"? LMMFAO!!
Later, I bought a Yamaha electric keyboard that I never did anything with. I use to fool around with a little bit of stuff like I do now with my electric guitar....chords, melodies, etc... but I never learned to play a whole song of anything. I've always been fascinated with keyboard instruments and music though. I think because I had a crush on an elementary student (girl) at school who played piano like an accomplished artist at all of the school events.
I always figured if one could play the piano, they could play anything, it seems like a tough act to follow.
So, I've always wanted to be involved with some kind of music making, and I think the singing comes more natural and seems easier, though I could definitely benefit from some sort of voice training.
Right now, I guess this karaoke thing is sort of like a self-medication. Great stress reliever, self-esteem booster, etc...
I never was a hit with the ladies, (I can't say that I am now either) I use to be a long haired rebel throughout my teen years until I reached the point of adulthood and realized that the 70's look was not getting me anywhere socially or financially. So, I really gave myself a swift kick into gear in the early 80's.

That's all so funny. NOW I wanna be a rock star!! LMMFAO!!