Karaoke Forums

I've only known two singers that brought their own mics, and they didn't do it all the time. The KJ's accomodated them. It didn't seem like that big of a deal. If everyone brought there mic, it wouldn't be good, but one or two people every once in awhile? Who cares? It actually interjects something different into the show, and that can be good. But to each his own (that is, unless it's there own mic, har!)

Three minutes? This should take about 10 seconds plus your time to walk to and from the stage to assist the singer. If you want to eliminate that time, you could always put an extra mic cable on the stage with no mic connected to it. Amazingly enough, I do this on a routine basis.

I do a talent show event with several dozen back-to-back performers in about four hours. Most are one or two people singing and playing guitars or singing to tracks (on their CDs; this is not karaoke) but we sometimes have one or two bands with full drum mics and backline. That four hours is plenty of time for us to get through all the performers, have the "judges" do a lot of talking to the performers, and waste time on "breaks" while they stretch the event out so they don't announce the winners and dismiss the contestants until the last possible minute.

It takes us about 30 seconds to get instrument mics in front of acoustic guitars, and around 5 minutes to mic and check whole band once they have their kit assembled.

So without sugar-coating it, I'll tell you that your opinion of your abilities is exaggerated if it takes you three minutes to switch and "sound check" one vocal microphone for a karaoke singer.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Pretty accurate assessment of time, I would say.
Just set up and did sound check for a band yesterday. Set up took a bit of time, but once everything was in place and powered up, it took no time at all. Sound check took all of 5 minutes from start to finish. Bass, guitar, drums (fully mic'ed), and 3 vocal mics. FIVE MINUTES. FOR EVERYTHING.
Not sure what you're doing that takes 3 minutes. I'm confused.

Discs is one thing but equipment really is the selling point as to why to hire a KJ. Bar owners get the idea that your equipment is not up to snuff, they start looking elsewhere and contrary to what others might tell you: Bar owners talk to each other, If one thinks your equipment doesn't measure up they all feel it doesn't. So I agree with Dr Fred.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Disagree! But that is what forums are for!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Agree, I can set up & mic check an entire band within 10 minutes between sets and be up & running with good sound and do on the fly adjustments as we go. 1 mic in a karaoke setup is not going to take more than 30 seconds max to get it hooked & eq'd once the the singer starts singing - no more so than every singer that should be adjusted anyway IMO. But again, it's not really a regular occurance, so it's not really an argument, I just would deny someone that wanted to bring one in - it's really NOT that big of a deal.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Sorry, I don't go for the "bring your own microphone" crap.... Why not just let them bring in their own mixer too?.... and speakers while they're at it?

If a singer is SO INSECURE that they can only sing off one disc and have to have their own microphone, then I don't need them at my show, period.

If my professional equipment isn't up to snuff for the amateur and they feel they have to bring in their own microphone to "enhance" their sound, they can do that somewhere else.

I have my limits and I don't really care if it only takes 10 seconds.... it isn't about the "time" it's about the non-verbal message it sends to others.

No I am very secure that attracting such people to my show will make it worse not better. I have a 2 hour wait for singers many nights, and when people start acting like they are so much better than others, it is just not worth it. Getting the wrong crowd can drive away your target audience. I see this as a trait of a "Diva" that just would not work with most of my audience. If the singer does not like it they can go to any one of a half dozen karaoke shows within 2 miles, many of them are nearly empty and might be glad to accomidate.

I have taken my own mic's to a show usually a newone to test in a larger area have had no problems. and there were times the host had to use my mic's and cables (they forgot thiers) so I always carry at least two with cables with me. around here the hosts take care of the customers. Dave

Fuggin' A, brother.




Bar owners/management for sure talk to one another.. i've picked up more than one job when one bar owner called another and asked who they recommend to come in and do karaoke.

I disagree that equipment is the selling point to a recommendation, though. That final number on the tape when they 'Z' out the register is the biggest selling point.

You could have an K-Mart karaoke machine propped up in the corner for all the bar management cares.. as long as the club is full of drinking patrons.

Unless, of course, the bar owner is a hard core karaoke singer.

There's a bar I work with that books a regional act in his club once every few months. They charge $1500. Their sound sucks, the band is awful.. but they put on a show and they draw a large crowd.

Bar owners in general don't care for the band and acknowledge the bands shortcomings.. but they draw a large, mostly female crowd.. and that means more green in the cash register. That's what it's all about from the bar owners perspective.

This just illustrates that you don't deal with experienced vocalists very often (and there's nothing wrong with that, you're a KJ for cryin' out loud). For most singers who become attached to a microphone to the point they'd bring it with them to a gig where mics are already provided, it's because that mic is like a safety blanket. They've probably identified something in the tone of their voice that they don't like or whatever and that mic is the one they feel matches up best to their vocals. It's has nothing to do with their opinion of your rig, it's all about them feeling that they'll only sound good on this one mic that they have.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I took a new mic once to test it out at a friends show (this was before I started hosting). I bought it basically to have as a backup for my friends mics because hers were dying badly. I used it that once, and never have used it since.. umm never buy Radio-Sh**k equipment for pro gear,, live and learn. Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to let someone use their own mic. It seems its a double standard if I don't let them. If I would try it once, why wouldn't I let someone else try it too? Besides, its not that big of a deal, really. If we as hosts are so anal about our equipment and our own views of it, then you are lost in reality. Its all about perception isn't it? I think my mixer is good, while someone else would say its junk. Same thing on mics too. Or maybe if you let them try their mic, you might just make a regular out of them, and who knows? maybe they are just learning too about equipment. C'mon, lets not be so over the top and closed minded about our own views. There are other opinions out there that are just as "correct" as our own.

Peace out ya'll

On a quasi-related note.. people who bring their own pool sticks to a bar are douchebags.

What about Darts & Bowling Balls?

Bowling Balls too. There must be one of those bowling alley balls that will fit you.

I can understand singers bringing their own discs eventhough I don't offer a cdg player at my show. ---Bringing their own MICROPHONE ..I don't know maybe a little too much for me. What's next their own mixer or vocal processors ?

Um, I could actually see this happening. They have those foot pedal based vocal processors that some front men (and women) use in smaller cabaret type shows (and even some full stage shows). I wouldn't be all too shocked if someone came into one of my shows with one because they wanted to make sure that they got the right Billy Idol delay on their vocals when they sing "White Wedding". Personally, I'd politely decline and let them know that with my desk, I've got all the effects they need and I'll make sure it's right.

On a sort of related story, we did have a singer come into the studio one time with his own Digitech Quad 4 because he was in love with the reverb he had built on it. He was really adamant about wanting that sound so we threw it in the rack that night and then bought one of our own to use going forward with him.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

And bowling alley shoes too. How dare someone want to wear their own when the lanes provide shoes & balls.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Maybe it is because we are relatively new hosts and trying to please, but it also seems like someone bringing in a different mic could be an opportunity to "test drive" something new and see if you like it or not. I remember when we let the fellow use his headset mic, he let others try it so it added something different to the usual routine for them.

I can understand not wanting to take the time and hassle to do it but I don't get the offense part. I had my own ice skates, once......

I think we are stretching things comparing a karaoke show to a Bowling Alley.

Listen there is nothing wrong with a singer bringing their own discs to a karaoke show that will play them. PROVIDED the host does not have the same mfg in his library. Provided the CDG is an original, otherwise how can a KJ be sure of it's legality ? --- flip side -- I see nothing wrong with a KJ who is PC based and does not have the means to play them. How about the CDG based KJ who refuses to play customer discs ?

so now we are on to bringing your own microphone ...
sorry unless you have some very good reason ..not at my show.
Listen if you don't like the way my microphones sound ..tell me -- I have OTHERS I can offer you from SM58 to SENNS to even a BEHRINGER in my case.
(I am very accomodating that way. )

If you don't like the KJ's selection and equipment etc etc. DON'T GO TO THEIR SHOW plain and simple. If you don't like the menu at a certain restaurant do you keep going back and eventual start to bring your own food ??????