Karaoke Forums

My 8yr old daughter loves to sing at church and family functions. I'm wanting to buy her a karaoke machine to use for musical accompaniment. I'm looking for something simple to use that is portable and can be stand alone. Do you have any suggestions for me?

What is your budget? Is this strictly for home use? Do you have karaoke music already? More details would be helpful. And welcome!

I'm looking for a Christmas Present and do't want to spend very much since she's only 8. Probably $200 - $400 at the most. I don't have any music, but I did order her a CD-G of a song she wants to sing in a few weeks. She has an ipod, but I don't know if being compatible is important.

I would like for her to be able to use it at home, but also bring it to our church and family get togethers.

Go to http://www.singingmachine.com and review what the specifications are for the various units they offer. Many are self-contained, some require a separate TV. Make sure that the one you chose offers a key changer that works for CDG's. My first karaoke machine was a Singing Machine which offered a key changer but I found out when it was too late that the device only worked with the cassette player and not the cd player.

Singing Machine is the manufacturer and will not sell you the equipment directly, so you'll need to find a retailer that offers that model you're looking for. If push comes to shove, I'm sure that Singing Machine will inform you who carries that product.

Of course, with the model number you can easily find on the internet who has the product you've chosen. If nothing else, Walmart online offers several choices!

I don't know much about this machine, but it also is compatible with the I-PoD as well as a cdg player. But this would be more for a home use only.

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

At that age you dont want a super cheap system that is hard to sing on yet you dont want a full blown system with all the processors. She needs to learn the basics and hear what she actually sounds like. If the interest remains then better systems are required as she progresses. A good starter is in the $300-$400 range.

This is something that needs to be cultivated for most of the kids I have had on my system are more rounded and mature at a natural rate.

In addition I would include cds like this lessons

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

What do you think of this machine for a starter?

http://www.amazon.com/Acesonic-PK-1130- ... _rhf_p_t_3

With all those features at that price I would certainly like to look at and listen to it. A manual load cd player lasts a lot longer than a 3 tray or one with a loading mech.

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

For an 8 year old? Go to K-mart, where you will find an Emerson All-in-one machine with full features including digital keychange for around $125. That'll do it. If she gets serious, or if you want a better all in one machine, I recommend a VocoPro DuetII for about $350. Though I would never use VocoPro professionally, I think this is the best All-in-one machine for home use out there..

_________________
"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Bander,
Here is the dilema I see, You want a decent sounding system so when your daughter sings OUTSIDE the house for an audience she sound good. Most of the $100 home systems are pretty much TOYS in my opinion.

The VOCOPRO systems are inbetween CONSUMER grade and PRO grade and may fit your needs and budget. Google VOCOPRO and reveiw their ALL IN ONE systems.
Even if you have to supply the TV the all in one systems will be your best BET.

If you're looking for a desent karaoke machine for home use, that is self contained, try the Memorex model#mks8590. You can buy it at Target for about $100.00. It has a 5.5" monitor, and comes with 1 microphone, also has usb jack, and memory card slot to record her singing. Add it to your home tv, and stereo and it works great. Or just by itself. Sounds much better than singing machine IMO. If anything, just add another mic, it has 2 mic jacks, a guitar jack, and a keyboard jack. Also seperate volume controls for mics,echo also. I have this unit for home use, and never had anyone complain, to the contrary, everyone wants to come over to sing at my house.

I maybe starting to sound like Bruce when he "came back at" someone asking about the availability of a certain song, but here it goes.

Banderhouse, we're a helpful giving bunch, but give us a break!

You set no audio or other technical specifications for what you want, and the only criteria provided is that it is for you daughter, along with how much you'd like to spend.

If you just wanted something that would work within the environment(s) you described, there are sixteen Singing Machine units to choose from. Most, if not all, of them can be connected to any sound system. But you haven't asked about one of them.

Meanwhile, you chose an Emerson machine that I doubt few if any of us have ever seen, much less used, and you ask "what do we think"? What am I missing here?

___________________________
srnity...

You've compared that Memorex to everyone of the sixteen Singing Machine Units now being made?

ericlater, no, I'm not comparing this unit to ALL the singing machine models, but the ones in the same, or even slightly higher range, that I've sung on personally, I'd IMO take the Memorex anytime. I'm not looking to get into a big discussion over which brand is better, I'm just giving my opinion, and trying to help. Thanks,
SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!

Actually she asked about an Acesonic portable player she found & asked about that one. JoeC mentioned the Emerson machine.

If you don't know anything about the unit, don't comment! Someone else may have!

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

True, I interchanged the two brands, but that doesn't change the ESSENCE of my basic question. If the entire Singing Machine line, for example, doesn't suffice, why not?

Furthrmore, what is it about the Acesonic product that was so intriguing that it prompted an inquiry regarding our opinion(s)?

Maybe, then, we'll be closer to being able to truly help?

______________________________________
Serenity Now:

With that endorsement, I would also recommend they go with Memorex, unless someone has another product that they know is superior to both. I've only used two Singing Machine products: The first machine I ever owned and the (better) one I gave to my Grand-kids last Christmas

Hun the general trend is buying a stand alone system for youngsters that old. I didnt check out the specs on the Acesonic but I think its got video out and line to go into a better system in which case you would just be using the cd player function and as I stated before a manual load player has more longevity then auto loaders.

The main thing is most kids go to computer type systems as they advance and need computers for school. The important thing is giving her the basic tools to perfect her vocal abilities as it sounds like she is pretty serious. I have seen 5 year olds that were dedicated to the craft. Brands or quality or unimportant at this time its like buying kids school clothes. They grow out of them faster than you like. But you dont want super cheap or she will get discouraged. Believe me I know.

Another suggestion is finding a local karaoke show where she can sing on professional systems. This is my vocation I have decades of experience advisng customers about anything related to sound or entertainment centers, giving estimates and installing and instructing how to get the most out of the system

Keep us posted and when it is done it will settled. Good luck with your project and if we can be of further help holler... Ollie

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Thanks for all your suggestions. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to give you more specifications. I really know nothing about music, but want to help my 8 year old daughter who I feel has been truly blessed with a gift. I’ve been to several karaoke store websites, but really haven’t been able to figure much out. A customer service rep at one site suggested the Acesonic model over the Singing Machines because it has more power??? I found this site when I was trying to find reviews on karaoke machines, and I was hoping for an unbiased view on what would best fit her needs.

Our church is planning on updating their sound system some day, but I’m not holding my breath. We just got air-conditioning last year. I think I will need to have something she can use both at home and wherever she might sing (she also wants to audition for the musical at the local community college this Spring). I’m not interested in buying her a toy, I bought her a Barbie one when she was 3 and it didn’t last a year.

Right now she is practicing “Mary did you Know” on her cd player. She will be singing it at church on Nov.30 (her first time with music). I’m planning on putting the cd player next to the church’s wireless mike for that one. Hopefully it’s loud enough, I was booed for the sound quality on my PowerPoint during VBS (yes, at a church).

Check with the sound tech at the church. You can run the line out on the Acesonic (verify it has line out i think it does cant quite tell by the pic )into the church system and use their wireless mic. Good Luck!!!

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Banderhouse, The beauty of the smaller machines like the Acesonic is that it can be linked up top the church sound system through the headphone jack. You just need the compatible plug or jack at the other end, whether it be a 1/4 inch jack or other style. The headphone side that goes to most units like that are called a mini stereo jack. Those can be bought at RadioShack or other outlet that sells electronic stuff. All you need then is cable.