Karaoke Forums

How many KJs think it's a good idea to brag about being a computer KJ?

On a web site, newspaper ad, karaoke forum, business card, etc.

Do you think it will get you jobs?

Do you think the bar owner would like your big mouth?

Do you think anyone will notice that matters?   Such as Sound Choice...

Personally I run a computer, I announce it every time I talk about it, i'm in Seattle, WA BTW, where are you?  
Do I advertise it, no, no reason as I don't do anything but private shows.  People just want a well run show when they hire me.  Wouldn't matter to a club if I was running computer or discs, they could care less!  As long as I could bring the people in is all that would matter to them & it definitely shows in this area as MOST of the clubs hire the pirates that run computers for low prices!

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

I don't think you are really expecting anyone to answer this honestly but I will take a stab at it...

I don't think it really matters whether ya use discs, computer files, laser discs, vcd's, cassette tapes or 8 track tapes.  

It doesn't really matter what you charge per night for bars or for private gigs.  

It doesn't matter whether you have state of the art sound and light system or some Wal-Mart/Target/Fred meyers brand CDG player and radio shack sound system.

What works for one host/pirate/professional/hobbyist may not be the model used or acceptable by another.  

A successful show in one bar may not work 3 doors down at the next bar.

I have seen KJ's on top of the line systems (doesn't matter what format- cdg, computerized etc), make them sound as if you are singing in a tin can or worse.  I have also seen KJ's use what many would consider low end systems (think radio shack for image) and make them sound the "best" they possibly can.  

The point is, it doesn't matter how you run your show, whether you are computerized or disc based, how you advertise or whether you have the personality of a rock.  It comes down to a few things:
 1.  Does the person running the equipment have a CLUE how to make it work to the best sound and operation that it can be.  They don't have to be a sound engineer or audio tech person but they should at least know what makes their equipment tick and how to adjust it as needed.

 2.  Is the host capable of interacting with their audience, even in the most minimal sense of the concept?  You don't have to be a radio DJ on the mic or a circus entertainer to engage your audience.

 3.  Do they run a rotation that works for THEM and their VENUE and are they CONSISTANT with it?  If they do then who am I to say that they are wrong for inserting new singers every 3-4 old singers or whether they will move people up in rotation for the right $$$.  If it works for them and is accepted as normal by the singers then I say more power to them.

 Bottom line is does the bar have customers and singers?  If the answer is "yes" then it doesn't matter what anyone on your computer screen says.  Will you get gigs from your website? forums? newspaper ads?  you certainly can but that doesn't mean you will keep the gig.  Having a computerized show doesn't mean you will have a better or worse show than a disc based show.  The monkey behind the controls will determine that reality.  

 Most people will not have their minds easily changed on anything in this business unless they are forced to.  Nevermind facts, experience, technology etc.  If it works for them it really doesn't matter the opinions of others.  

 The fact is that the singers in the audience, on this forum, down the street or in the next town, will determine whether a show is successful or not.  Singers can shut down a pirated or low quality show in a minute if they stood up collectively and said the following things:

 "we will not come to your venue, spend our money in your bar, recomment our friends and family to come to your bar or support you in any way if you cannot reasonably prove that what you have in your books is YOURS."  
 "we will not settle for a host who is incapable of making us sound the best we can just because you have 10 systems and have to hire anyone who knows how to turn a computer on."
 "we will not be verbally abused by the host, bumped in rotation for your friends or the biggest tipper or whoever's pants you are trying to get into that particular night."
 
 As long as singers continue to go and support those types of shows, and the industry takes no action with teeth, and as long as those of us in the industry continue to bicker about petty issues regarding how each of us runs the show or what hardware/software we use, then nothing will change.

 Not sure if this even addresses the original post so I guess consider the thread hijacked or, at the least, momentarily distracted....

Tig- not losing sleep over it...

Well stated!

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Yes it was well stated, but it really doesn't answer the question about how smart it is to brag about your computer show.  Or how much actual risk you are putting yourself in.

Am i the only KJ that thinks it matters?    And everyone will just keep on blabbing and advertising their new toy without any fear?    I switched over with as little fan fair as possible.   I didn't put it in the paper or the website and i didn't run to tell every bar owner that i was doing it or did it.

I can see the need to brag about it.  Because it means you have taken a big step (financially too) toward having a more reliable show from a musical stand point.   No skips, and glitches.    I love that fact.   Will the average bar owner or singer notice?    Will the bar owner be willing to pay more because of it?    Will you get more jobs from it?   Is the phone ringing off the hook now with bar owners asking about your new computer show?   I would have hired you before but you used discs.    

You as a KJ only do private gigs, it doesn't matter as much as a person in the public eye. (bars)    But web sites, newspaper ads put you out there on an equal basis.   Still subject to scrutiny from the wrong eyes.  I'm talking about the legal, illegal KJs, not the illegal, illegal ones.

I agree that Joe Public can and does, control the destiny of any KJ.   It is done by their attendance or lack of, at any particular show.    But i see too many singers that don't really care about the quality of the show, the host or the music.   They go because they get taken care of in the rotation.    Maybe they can walk there.   Maybe that's where all their friends go.    There are many, that the quality of everything does matter.    This is the audience i try to attract.   But my computer music won't be the thing that sways them.

I don't run cpu, yet, so no I don't advertise it.  I don't advertise that I do discs either.  I have had owners ask me which I use, then I tell them I still use discs.  Never had a single complaint yet.  I've had several tell me that so & so that was there a few weeks back ran cpu, usually that is followed by, and they only brought in two small speakers and it sounded like crap.  I am not against the cpu movement at all, in fact I too will be there someday.....but I'm in not quandry to make the jump.  I have more important things to worry about.....MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Simple question. Simple answer. No , i don't think it's a very wise decision to advertise that you run a computer karaoke show- not until the laws change. why put yourself at risk?

Tig made a lot of good points in his post- although he's a hijacker  LOL

2  questuions
    Just which part of digital karaoke is illegal and what law are you violating?
    Which agency will enforce and bust the KJ?

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Disregard the questionable legal issues that should be solved soon (hopefully).
I think the risk is so slight from the legal point that it does not matter (so long as the songs were purchased legally).

I think that computers obviously have a major advantage in running a show. They just make it a whole lot easier. No longer does one have to shuffle between many binders full of cds, and even with the best Kjs eventually some of the disks will become scratched.

That said an experienced KJ working with disks can put on a great show. That is all that matters.

Many of the newer KJs who lack experience are using computers, and for some of those KJs the lack of experience is apparent in their shows. On the other hand many good KJs use computers as well.

Overall I dont think that the computer or disk is going to be much of a selling point for getting a gig. It all boils down to your reputation.

The only time I think a computer based system is going to work where a disk based system is going to be a disadvantage is when the setup lacks the space needed to allow a KJ to lay out and search all of their disks. For a big disk based system one pretty much needs an extra table (or a larger table) for the disks alone, and that may be a limit in some venues. Also some venues make it dark enough that finding the disks is going to be hard without turning on more unwanted light. These are the only cases that really favor the computer KJ. Most computer based kjs can run right out of the normal DJ/Sound system booth, and in several bars I know those booths lack the space to spread out more than a couple binders of cds.

On the other hand being disk based in the current time often implies that you have experience and have been doing this for several years. That unfortunately can also imply that you are not as hip as some younger crowds.

Overall I would not advertize it because on balance it is not a useful piece of information 99% of the time to someone who is likely to hire you.

When I promote my system I speak of service sound quality and things that distinguish us from everybody else. Below is a link to my web site I know you wont read it entirely but see if you can find any major reference to computers or any brag, or emphasis on computers.

When doing a consult for any prospect bar, wedding, it is never brought up They are more concerned with sound quality and selection both KJ and DJ.  It is nothing more than a more convenient transport than cd's. Also in the summer we do outside gigs sometimes all night. With dust storms and millers flying all around and other things using cd's is almost impossible I did it once at a boat club gig Ever have a cd player full of bugs and moths?

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WELL that is if they know what they're doing with a computer ran show! I've seen some good systems ran VERY poorly, and it puts the computer ran show at a bad image... I've had a lot of compliments on how I ran it, and people freaked when they saw I was using a computer. Said they couldn't tell the difference, and that I also had a regular cdg player to play customer cdgs, so they honestly thought I was running a disc-based show... which I was. ALL my tracks originally CAME from discs! well said on all points!

There are pirates in my area who are selling their shows based 99% on the fact that they are 'computerized.'  When I explain that using a computer only makes the host's job easier, that usually clears up the stars in their eyes. Doesn't really make much of a difference to the singers if you are adept at labeling/finding/switching discs, which I am very fast at. I am, however, halfway through converting to laptop and having said that, running off a computer with a hard copy to back up every song, I don't imagine it will come into the conversation when I approach someone about a new show. Maybe the only way it would is if the space limitations dictate it, which at times they will.

There are potential clients who may be fast-talked by a pirate, but the proof of the pudding lies in the eating - if that is all they are selling, they'll be out looking again soon.

k

Thats what I tried to say!!! Computers are no longer a novelty in this area In a couple of years it will be a decade that they have seen them used for karaoke.

Every vocation in the world relies upon computerized bookkeeping, records or other functions. WE use singer history We can tell which songs are more popular and as the software evolves there will more and more functions.

I have made this statement before and I will say it again By the time they get this sorted out we will be beyond using standard bulky computers.

There is no such thing as black or white but multiple shades of gray. Most debates now are in black and white and totally ignores the infinite number of colors.

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I think being a DIGITAL KJ versus a CDG playing one is "perceived" by many to be BETTER / QUICKER / COOLER / STATE OF THE ART  / TOP OF THE LINE

Would I advertise it in PRINT .......NO.    Doesn't hurt to mention to prospective clients when going over all other aspects of your sales ptch.  :thinkin:

It won't necessarily get you a gig just because you have a computer.  It's host tool like a player, but if a bar asked which do I run computer or disc, I could say I can run either, which do you want?

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i would love to know what percentage of karaoke k j's r bar owners have been checked to see if they're legal r not...guessing it's pretty close to .001% ...

I think the closest thing to that is ASCAP/BMI coming in which I have had happen twice, one shut down a show of mine a few years back, but these were because the bar wasn't paying & had nothing to do with my discs or computer.

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Now take that percentage Billy, and out've that percentage (assuming it's even that high) what percentage of THAT quantity do the individuals pursuing litigation feel is substantial enough to spend time,  money, and not end up with a de minimus ruling by Federal Court where such cases are tried.

Give this some thought.  By the time these cases get to trial (assuming they ever do) it might be 5 years.  In 2013 Karaoke (cases) in small bars where a KJ and the bar-alike were struggling to make ends meet will likely be laughed out've court.. Who substantially benefits ?  Heck, Are they going to forclose on the KJ's mansion and estate that was purchased by the millions earned copying his purchased media that he couldn't afford to buy due to kids he wanted to put thru college, and medical expenses he lost when his day job cut back his benes ?   This isn't the age of Big Brother,  Reasonable issues are considered.  So yeah,  technically A LOT is "illegal", but unfortunately we live in a world where often legislature doesn't change LAWS until some activist (at the time consdered a law-breaking extremist) does something Illegal, and at such a point, things are considered years later to be "fair and reasonable" given particulars and sepcifics exempted from blanket laws, or cases that just couldn't reasonably be legislated by the small KJ attempting (to be a plaintiff in such a case), because it wouldn't have worked at the time for the KJ to bring this to legislature.. Few enough cared in general, and it wasn't affordable.. Can you folks change these laws ?  Could you even afford to ?  Would the same type media even exist by the time you did ?  Would conditions still pertain as they do today ?  So if there's no reasonable solution, does that mean current conditions are fair ???

So sometimes we do our thing as adults believing that what we do is reasonable despite very broad/general laws with many loopholes...  Some activist who believed enough in his cause to do his thing despite what might've been illegal that gets sued and arrested often IS what changes legislature, and gets others involved.. and this persons name goes into law journals as Karyoker vs SoundChoice Lexis etc etc...

Which reads in the journals:

"The jockey receiving fixed or hourly wages for services tendered operating in a______  shall be held exempt under statute____________  for ________ if to do so solely is for purposes of _______ and if no additional revenue is generated from the actions of _________ , but such actions enable said person to reasonably pursue area of employment and do not generate revenue over and above established hourly wages.  This will be deemed as not profitable, hence exempt from______ laws section___________"


"As an amendment to above section any individual earning under _______ as a part time _______is exempt from _________"


One never knows.

To me "Legal" and "illegal" are words used to scare kids and the uninformed... but look at government ?   Where's our Polyanna-like legal world ?   So is it RIGHT to deliberately do illegal things for the sake of doing them ?  NOPE...  but, is it right to lose out disproportionately because you can't afford certain things that won't really bring you substantial added revenue to begin with... but in doing these things it just enables you to continue doing your thing... Not in my opinion.  Laws state even in the privacy of my bedroom, there are certain things I can't do..  To such laws I state... SUE ME !

JMHO....

DISCLAIMER: There is no Karyoker vs BMl case,  any resemblance to actual living critters was purely coincidental..

Would I advertise where I work, assuming people know my name, who I am, etc.  in such an internet venue ?  NOPE !  People have setup others on many occassion and went to extremes to make their real lives a living hell, I know this as fact (on the internet), Just because they hate the individual.... Even non-karaoke related companies I'm affiliated with won't be divulged in an extremely visible venue.. This is just my own preference.  One I have a right to.  One that makes sense

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

Hell by 2013 we'll all be dead anyway, as the Earth is supposed to end in Dec 2012, according to ancient predictions.......  :wave:

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I am still using my cd's and in the process of converting to a computer. Will I mention it to a prospective client? No I don't think it really matters. I've seen good and poorly run shows using both formats.