Karaoke Forums

Finally got it up and going Saturday night. I should have done this a long time ago. It is so much easier than handling discs.

Biggest improvement to the room is less dead air and more singers per hour. I don't have nearly the rotation size some of you have, but that round that starts somewhere around midnight is over 20 usually. Getting through that would take an hour and a half before. I didn't time it but I know I'm getting 3-4 more singers through an hour. It went a lot faster. And the energy level of the room is at a higher pitch.

Also, before I was having a problem with some disc brands tracking properly on the three playback machines I was using... Northstar and Sing It Now being the worst. Even if they were new. But they all ripped perfectly though without the audible hiccups that the playback machines were experiencing. It was nice hearing everything play glitch free... a fact noticed by the singers too.

If I had any advice to give after all this it would be to decide on your software first, then make your hardware and OS decisions based on it's recommendations. We struggled with an XFX GeForce video card, purchased because it was used for dual screen gaming by a friend of my son's, but never could get to work right with the software. Their online suggestion was for AFI, and once we switched to that everything clicked.

Also if you can, get a decent sound card. I got an M-Audio 24/96 basically because I didn't want to deal with 1/8" mini outs... I've had problems with them before... but was surprised at the better sound quality over the integrated sound card when we switched over.  

I don't have the computer smarts to put this all together. My son did most of the hardware and configuration work.

He came in to the room with some of his friends to see it in action. He's in his early 20s but doesn't go out to bars much. I embarassed him a bit by waving him onstage. When I announced  that he was responsible for the new computer system they gave him a standing ovation! I think they approve.

Karen K how's it going? Did you get a chance to run your new system over the weekend? Hope all is well.

Wow, good for you Bill! I'm looking forward to making the same kind of report. I'm STILL reloading after MTU Hoster disaster. I found that a lot of the songs WERE there but for some reason the quality was compromised. So, am on the last 20 or so CDGs and hope to use the system tonight.

This whole thing turned into a real nightmare for us ... just bad timing, I guess, getting a new version release of a tried and true software that contained a really horrible glitch. Hoping everything works out as well for us as it did for you!

Karen

I never understood the more singers per hour statement?  Unless you only ran 1 player & had to cue up between singers, then I guess I can see it.  I always ran 2 players so the next song was always cued up & ready.  
COngrats on the computer, good luck!  I completely agree on the sound card as well, I run the M-Audio Audiophile 192 & it blows the onboard & Soundblaster I had away.

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I can't imagine I can go much faster than I did with 3 trays loaded and ready, but the time savings will be in pulling and putting back discs.  I usual manage around 16 singers per hour with CDGs and anticipate I might be able to increase that every so slightly with computer.

K

Lonnie, the rotation slow-down with discs was partly due to my own inexperience, and partly the nature of the room. This is my first serious stab at KJ. The vast  majority of the singers have never sung before either, so this is the only room they know. Minds change as they approach the stage, singers are temporarily outside (a large part of the room is outdoors) and I'd often have discs scattered all over the place with the next song not ready to go at all.

I know my singers. Which singers change their minds, which singers are likely outside and might not hear the call, and I can now have several options cued up and ready to go. It is absolutely wonderful in the karaoke free-for-all that is my reality today.

But I love my room and my singers. I've always been drawn to chaos. Orderly behavior  has never been a part of my existence so I'm right at home.

Karen, you are gonna enjoy this. I hope to hear from you soon.

BH

Yup, roll with the punches. I'm looking forward to having the rotation flash between singers. I'm amazed at how people watch that screen...and the ease at which I will be able to just drag the singer down a few if they need it. Woohoo...gotta love computers.

k

Ah that could explain it.  Organization is pretty critical with actual discs to make a smooth & fast flowing show.  Funny thing is I actually LOST some of the speed going to computer.  With discs I was always able to keep the next song cued to a starting point - usually right to the music.  Our singers were pretty quick in getting up on stage as well - they knew if they missed their spot, they would usually have to sit out another round.  With the Hoster you cannot set cue points and have to let entire splash screen & unecessarily long intros play out (Black Sabbath 1 minute of bass solo in NIB - I start that song at 1 minute when the ACTUAL part that gets sung starts).  But most of the time would just cue up to the music starting point which can't be done at this time.

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I would think that you should have at least a few seconds between songs for applause, and to let the singer walk away even if you called the next singer and they're ready to go. I'm sure you could have a singer cued and ready to go and start them immediately after the previous song ends, but I think singers appreciate some applause and some recognition. On this point I would appreciate the input of the people who have run shows for a long time. Thanks. Sorry to derail things, but it kind of happened before I asked my question.

They get their applause during the outro of the song or if it ends abruptly I will call for applause (usually it already happens on it's own), but they know we try to speed things along to get through the singers we have.  I believe they also appreciate the fact that we do this as well, especially on the busier nights, had 30 singers last night - was a fluke I think - typically avg 15 or so.  
But I never deny anyone applause.  But generally don't need a few seconds (unless it's a real thundering applause for an exceptional performance, then I may let it go a tad longer).  You can usually give kudos, get applause & call up the next singer while the applause is still going.  Sometimes the music will already be going by the time they get up (long intros) - again only on busier nights.  Slower nights, we will lax up a bit.

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One thing I have against Sound Choice is their long outro and logo display. I slide down and fade to fill after the applause but immediately acknowledge the singer at the appropiate time. We never have more than 2 seconds of silence..

EDIT I do outdoor gigs in the summertime.. Just a yellow light (moths etc) It would be impossible with discs I did it it one time. Anything that puts out heat (cd players) attract all kinds of bugs.

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I'll fade out any long ending, SC isn't the only culprit, as a rule, unless I USE that outro as the fill while the next singer is coming up.

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Thanks for the responses. The reason I asked is because yesterday I was talking to a performer who does a one man show and he said he goes directly from one song into the next with no time at all in between. I was surprised. I figured it would be good to let people applaud and have a small break in between songs. This guy has been performing for a long time and really know his stuff. I realize this is just a bit different than Karaoke. There are no other singers waiting to come up, no rotation and no pressure to cram more songs into each hour.

I can see how the guy would want to jam through his set like a medley of sorts.  I know a few bands that will play 4-6 into each other with no time in between.  Especially dance bands, they will play like a dj would mix 2 songs together - to a point, keep the people on the dance floor.

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Yeah that's what I do. I'm sometimes in a band, but currently doing a one man band in other bars on non-karaoke nights like last Friday.  I run several songs together, then take a break and talk a bit. Then go at it again.

It's a totally different feel than karaoke. There's not much applause because it's just you and you are there mostly for dancing. I get much better response from the room doing karaoke actually, because I'm only up there once or twice a night and they seem to appreciate that. I normally don't put myself in rotation because it's too busy and it's their show.

All my backing tracks were recorded by me here at home BTW. I don't use karaoke tracks when I'm a one man band.

Oh man...Got all my discs reloaded...query for a song just as a test...ERROR! So I have a bunch of stuff that appeared to be 'imported' but isn't really...random songs...

SO, will definitely have to have CDGs with me, ready to run, if I have to until I get this all sorted out. MTU Hoster released a new version today which apparently is going to truly eliminate whatever the issue was that "GOT ME' the first time around.

Ready to drop kick the entire collection of stuff up the street about 3 blocks at this point.

KK

sorry to hear that Karen.

I've not had that issue with just the computer as a player... only time I ever had an error was the drive cable became loose inside, so the entire drive wouldn't show up on bootup... so I had to reseat it!

Unfortunately, I hate the way Hoster makes you convert your files. To me, it's just too much trouble. Other "hoster" type programs use the files you have... I'd go with any of them before I'd go to a converter one, just because of this crud!

I love clubdjpro... it works great as a dual player. I just use the slips/signup sheet as my rotation management!

Hang in there Karen,..It will get better.  Just stay away from VISTA if at all possible. Our folks who take care of our fire department programs have told us DO NOT USE VISTA!  There is just too much that can go wrong.  

Kelly

No Vista for this girl...one mistake I DID manage to avoid in all of this! I may have overreacted because the only song I queried showed with an ERROR. Will try more today. (been working 12-13 hours a day at regular job in addition to all this - maybe I'm JUST TIRED!@#$!)

k

I've avoided the whole hoster decision by just using a player (Siglos) for starters. I've got my files organized by brand (SC, CB, etc) with an individual  file for each disc inside, and just using the old books and number slips. But see, I don't have a lot... 500 discs... so it's still manageable. I know I'll have to do it differently in the future.

Hang in there Karen. Don't give up! You will enjoy your gigs a lot more once you get it running.

Good luck!
BH

That's one thing I like about Roxbox. Frank will call you on the phone and solve any problem.

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