Karaoke Forums

I'm working on a large series of new Karaoke discs that will be released this year. Being new to Karaoke disc production, there are a lot of things I don't know about what singers like and dislike.

I'd be interested to hear what your preferences are for the lyrics that appear on the screen as you're singing. What makes it easier, and what makes it more difficult?

For example, how to cue the singer for the beginning of the song. Does something like:

[8-bar intro]

being swept across the screen help? How about the countdown to the first word: do you prefer something like:

4 3 2 1

or perhaps just dots • • • • or dashes - - - - ?

Same question for interludes, guitar solos, breaks, etc.

Is it important to know the key of the song?

Are there any other important things to help you read better? Pet peeves?

I prefer Sound Choice style graphics.




Yes or 8 measure intro then a 4 bar count down swipe to first words.



Yes for instrumental with countdown back into singing.



I find it helpful, wish all manus listed it.



None that I can think of off hand.

So are you going to be getting legal publishing licensing?

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Yes, it's all licensed.

What is it about Sound Choice that you prefer?

Nice & easy to read.  Black background unlike the blue or other colors.

What kind of music - stuff that isn't out anywhere or re-hashed stuff that any & every label already carries?  Real musicians w/real instruments or synthed tracks utilizing drum machines & midi controlled?

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I make a lot of my own karaoke disks also and my customers tell me they need the countdown to know when to start singing before the song starts and after lead and whatever longer breaks in the songs are. As for the countdowns I use a font called music fun which gives me little guitars on the capital "A" so the guitars show up and fade out right up until the first word to be sung starts. I use karaoke builder studio to make my original/parody/devocalized series of disks and when a long instrumental happens in a song I put slideshow pics to look at during these breaks. For original and devocalized series I usually put band or artist pics. For my parody series I use funny pics and cartoons. Ususallu keeps the singer and onlookers interested. IO'm up to about 100 parody songs and 80 original and devocalized songs. Send me a list of your original stuff if you can cause my customers and I live homemade versions of songs not seen anywhere else. I host about 1000 homemade versions of song from people all over the world and would love to include yours! I love when people come up to me and say WOW!! no one else has this song, it's great.

I also use Sound Choice colors and backgound including duet color changes its easiest on the eyes.

I like to know what key the song is in and the time length... If the singer is singing American Pie I want them to know that they will be up there for more than 8 minutes...  The black background is the best.  A must have with the multi colors.  

I like the little "guy" and "gal" figurines that are in the Top Hits Monthly to let the singing duos know which line is their's before it lights up.

Sound Choice is best all around...

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---wallyd

Lonnie pretty much hit it on the head.

Black background.

Clear large text, good highliting, and a full line sweep to erase graphics (not just words either).

I don't care about the countdown to the next section, as long as it's some kind... whether bar that count downs or 4 part one...

SOME way you can communicate to the singers when to put the drink down, stop bs'n over the mic and start singin'! !

Best of luck to ya in your enterprise!

Others may disagree with me, but it would be nice if some songs that have long intros, outros or musicals breaks were shortened. I feel bad for people when they have to stand there in the middle of a song and wait for a long music break. People listening usually get bored with it also. If it was a live band I think it would be different.

I like the key to be shown, the length of the song and a count down (any kind).

Fancy graphics behind the words make it hard to read the words for a lot of people. I have the option on my system to have a video show behind words. I never use it because people ask me to turn it off. Pictures when words aren't being shown are fine, but usually they are corney and childish looking.

I always wondered why more songs didn't have a fade out. That would be a nice feature. I always fade out songs on my own. Especially if there is a long outro. When I have so many people waiting to sing I don't understand why a song would have a 2 minute outro. Cut it off - please.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I guess I would be a disagree'r here.  I will quickly replace (if full versions are available) or just not buy songs that have been "edited" for length.

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I use all Fulll versions also.

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ROBDOG *WOOF WOOF*

I think it is because I feel the pressure to fit more singers into a night.

Remember I'm not talking about all songs just the ones that are obviously long because of musical breaks.

I also feel the ackwardness of a long break in the middle of a song when the person
turns to me like what do I do I'm embarrassed just standing here waiting for ever. Of course I do my best to make them feel comfortable.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

i buy the full lenght songs and fade them out if the singer gets bored at the end.  one thing i'd like to see more manu's do is roll the lyrics.  by rolling the lyrics i don't mean scrolling text.  i mean when the lyrics get toward the bottom of the page, put the new lyrics across the top of the page.  especially helpful for faster songs such as rap songs or i've been everywhere or hot rod lincoln....stuff like that.  other than that, i REALLY like how sound choice is done.  yes black background is a must.

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All work and no play make Homer something something

What you do there is have a chair in the vicinity with a newpaper. Sit the chair next to them with the newspaper.

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Have to disagree on that one, it can be off-putting if you're trying to sing without being glued to the screen, but glance back occasionally to check and you have to work out how far down the screen you are.  I like the Sunfly stuff, particularly from the audience perspective - when the yellow screen comes up you know they're done and you're not about to applaud during an instrumental break

For outros put it up along with the length of the outro.   Distinctive colours for duets or even using "M" and "F" or if more than one "M-1", "M-2", "F-1", and "F-2".

And definitely go for songs that haven't been done before, if you can get the licencing.  Going to the various boards will help you know what people are looking for.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

good point ^

For duets I like when the girls is in pink, the guys are in blue and together is green.
I can't believe how many people can't even figure that out. Of course alcohol doesn't help.  LMAO It is funny when a wife and husband are singing and he starts singing her part. I've seen gals smack the guy or even take his mic for being so stupid.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Had to edit....

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Thanks Charmin - I was feeling a little alone in this.

I thought I was going to have to buy a newspaper.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Oh c'mon.....there's much worse music that should be taken out of karaoke.  Well I guess it's just a matter of ones own opinion - I personally hate most showtunes & Broadway stuff myself.

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