Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/

Looking for a better way to create my songbook
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19854
Page 1 of 2

Author:  hiteck [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Looking for a better way to create my songbook

I'm currently using CDG's with my home setup and am looking for a better way to manage my song book. Currently I have everything in a excel spreadsheet (about 2500 songs) and when I buy a new disc I have to update and re-sort 2 versions Sorted by Title and by Artist.

I've been looking for a song book creator online but everything seems to want to read from a hard drive to generate the list. I'm still using CDG's so currently haven't backed up anything or shifted to mp3 format.

Does anyone know of a song book creator that I can import say a comma delimited file into and then use to maintain my library and different sorts?

Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

KJ Pro is a simple to use karaoke songbook maker. Just click pn each disc that you own and the software does the rest

Author:  hiteck [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

That's a little more than I wanted to spend plus it looks like I'd have to pay for updates. I already have all of my songs in an excel spreadsheet, and don't mind adding them per disc as I buy them just trying to get a two column layout and easy sort without having to move my #A-Z breaks and re-arranging headings each time I add to it.

Maybe I should just create a mysql database and import my csv file. Then I could write a php script that will allow me to add my new stuff and then I could sort however and then just work on my output formatting.

Author:  DannyG2006 [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

Fast Tracks is a great songbook program. Plus for a fee you get lifetime updates. The Basic costs$80. www.karaokeware.com

Author:  classickaraoke [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

hiteck @ Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:12 pm wrote:
Maybe I should just create a mysql database and import my csv file. Then I could write a php script that will allow me to add my new stuff and then I could sort however and then just work on my output formatting.


Yes 100%. See an example of my books made exactly this way at.

www.classic-karaoke.com/pdfsongbook.php

I used the fpdf library and tweaked an example report to get it to do what I want. You can use GET parameters eg


www.classic-karaoke.com/pdfsongbook.php?order=song
www.classic-karaoke.com/pdfsongbook.php ... 4&rigs=2,1


- Jonn

Author:  Lone Wolf [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

Although I don't use it Airwer will do what you want although it costs $100 for the program and all updates are free. All you have to do is check mark the discs you have and it will do the rest.


Can be found at www.airwer.com

Author:  BigJer [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

I've used KJ Pro for a long time, through several version updates. Unfortunately, they don't seem to keep up on the updates anymore or else the software is getting so screwed up that the update part no long works properly for me. The basic program still works and has a lot of music in it already and you can manually update.

Next time I buy one, I'll get the Fast Tracks or whatever it is that works with Compuhost.

Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

BigJer @ July 30th 2010, 11:08 am wrote:
I've used KJ Pro for a long time, through several version updates. Unfortunately, they don't seem to keep up on the updates anymore or else the software is getting so screwed up that the update part no long works properly for me. The basic program still works and has a lot of music in it already and you can manually update.

Next time I buy one, I'll get the Fast Tracks or whatever it is that works with Compuhost.


Maybe you need to re install the program BigJer. Mine still works great...except for the numerous Sound Choice errors over the years. It seems like someone from Sound Choice would give KJ Pro the right songs but in the wrong order.

Author:  TopherM [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

Over the years, I have used Excel, the Airwer Songlist Creator, KJ Pro, and FastTracks.

KJ Pro is definitely the best pure songbook creator of the three.
I did not care for Airwer at all.
FastTracks is not as good as KJ Pro, but it integrates with CompuHost and CDGRip very very well. Basically, you enter your discs into FastTracks, burn the disc with CDGRip and it automatically names the tracks in the exact format CompuHost uses.

So, if you use CompuHost, get FastTracks. It will save you WEEKS of setup on your digital library. I think lifetime updates are only like $30.00 extra, but worth every penny.

If you do not use CompuHost, go with KJPro!!

I wouldn't buy the Airwer Songbook Creator, it just is not as robust as either of the other programs.

Author:  PyrateSilly [ Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

After looking at alot of book programs and doing it myself with excel we went with Fast Tracks. I like it alot. You do not have to rip the discs, you can just click the disc and add. You can also export to csv file or import the csv file so there is less clicking to start. There are also several ways that you can print the book out.

I do the Fast Tracks then export and look at the listings. Do sortings all kinds of ways and fix ones that are wrong (i.e. song name, singer name, etc.). I fix it both in the program and in the file. Since I have put the cd+g's on the hard drive I will also fix the titles in that so that when I want to redo the book and start over with a new book I don't have to fix them all over again. (does that make sense?) The program itself isn't really to blame for the wrong listings, since it's the manu that gives that info.

Author:  Alan B [ Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

I also use FastTracks. It is awesome. Probably the best. And if you have CompuHost, the integration is seemless. A great combination but either one can be used alone.

Author:  jclaydon [ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

I also use fastracks. Out of all the software I have used, it is the easiest. My only complaint is there aren't enought editing features. I mean how hard could it be to program to be able to select multiple items, even for something as simple as pushing the delete key. *sigh*


-James

Author:  DannyG2006 [ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

jclaydon @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:16 am wrote:
I also use fastracks. Out of all the software I have used, it is the easiest. My only complaint is there aren't enought editing features. I mean how hard could it be to program to be able to select multiple items, even for something as simple as pushing the delete key. *sigh*


-James


Do you mean to edit a field. They have that right click on the item you want to change and go to multiedit.

Author:  jclaydon [ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

DannyG2006 @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:41 am wrote:
jclaydon @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:16 am wrote:
I also use fastracks. Out of all the software I have used, it is the easiest. My only complaint is there aren't enought editing features. I mean how hard could it be to program to be able to select multiple items, even for something as simple as pushing the delete key. *sigh*


-James


Do you mean to edit a field. They have that right click on the item you want to change and go to multiedit.


No, I am talking about things like deleting multiple tracks. Or being able to edit ONLY the selected tracks instead of ALL of the tracks that match the search criteria. The "multi-edit" feature has a limited use, in my opinion.


The weird thing is I can't seem to remember what exactly I was trying to do where the function wouldn't work.

edit:I just remembered I was trying to change the "genre" settings for about 300 tracks, which I had to do one disc at a time.. PITA!

Author:  eben [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

jclaydon @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:47 pm wrote:
DannyG2006 @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:41 am wrote:
jclaydon @ Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:16 am wrote:
I also use fastracks. Out of all the software I have used, it is the easiest. My only complaint is there aren't enought editing features. I mean how hard could it be to program to be able to select multiple items, even for something as simple as pushing the delete key. *sigh*


-James


Do you mean to edit a field. They have that right click on the item you want to change and go to multiedit.


No, I am talking about things like deleting multiple tracks. Or being able to edit ONLY the selected tracks instead of ALL of the tracks that match the search criteria. The "multi-edit" feature has a limited use, in my opinion.


The weird thing is I can't seem to remember what exactly I was trying to do where the function wouldn't work.

edit:I just remembered I was trying to change the "genre" settings for about 300 tracks, which I had to do one disc at a time.. PITA!


I totally agree with you. Love using the Fasttrack but that is one major short coming. All they need to do is to allow control click to select multiple songs and change one field on all the songs. It would be so huge time saver if they allowed that.

Author:  mrgadget01 [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

Try Pilot Song Book Creator. If you like it, it's only $39. You can import from your song files, CSV, or from discs. You can format anyway you want. There are a host of print out formats. It will even allow you to synchronize the song names of the files with the song names in the program such as if you globally change all "The's" to ", The" and the end.

Check out the free demo. You can find the link on my blog:
http://www.nwohiokaraoke.blogspot.com

Author:  theCheese [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

I like KJPro.. it makes nice looking books, and is easy to use.

Great for quickly building a book for an existing collection, and easy to add new discs.

You don't really need to buy the future updates, either.. you can always manually enter new discs as you get them.

Author:  c. staley [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

Books?..... c'mon it's 2010.... get with the program....

use a kiosk and get rid of books....

I haven't used a printed paper book in 6 years...

(kills muchn fewer trees you know.)

Author:  hiteck [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

c. staley @ Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:56 pm wrote:
Books?..... c'mon it's 2010.... get with the program....

use a kiosk and get rid of books....

I haven't used a printed paper book in 6 years...

(kills muchn fewer trees you know.)


My request for a better way was for my home use....I'm still using a dual CDG player and CDG's so I don't see spending the money on a kiosk. I'm only doing one book so not really having that much effect on the environment, I'm just looking for a better way to organize my selections for private/family fun.

Author:  mrgadget01 [ Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for a better way to create my songbook

For home use, use Excel and sort by whatever column you want. Will print out pretty well. If you have Access, you could use that too and maybe find a few better printouts. Otherwise, Excel it the way to go for home use.

I didn't see where you mentioned how many discs you had. You can cut and paste info for the discs from most website lists to add to your database.

Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/