Karaoke Forums

I went to my first karaoke few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. Now I want to have my own karaoke setup. But I have a few questions.

#1. If I use a desktop computer, how can I connect this to a mixer/amp? What are the cables required for it.

#2. I can get video to a screen by just using VGA,DVI or HDMI right?

#3. I know I can rip songs and combine them with a program. But is there anyway to use a remote and make it work with my desktop? The karaoke place I went to had a remote to select songs and I would like to do the same. This is probably the most important thing to me.

#4. How do I get karaoke + video, without making my own. Can I just buy one of those machines and start buying those discs?

Overall, what would be the best solution for me? Creating my own karaoke and running it from my desktop, or buying a karaoke machine. I'm looking for a setup exactly like those karaoke bars!

Thanks I really appreciate it  :hi5:

hey welcome aboard I am not best placed to answer tech questions and I think all karaoke bars are set up differently, so someone else will do the answering for you...meanwhile you might like to look thru the various other threads on this very same subject and get a reasonably good head start on solving your problem based on suggestions given on other threads

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Welcome to the site, and welcome to the tech forum.

if you want to go with a remote, you're best bet would be the cavs jb-199 system.

as for playing on a desktop or laptop, you'd need a video card that has dual capabilites, like extended desktop.

Most folks use either a pro sound card like the Delta 44. I personally use a soundblaster mp3+ USB device that converts audio to RCA connections. Many mixers have usb connections as well.

I recommend getting a USB-capable mixer like the Alesis Multimix USB. Then you just need a USB cable.


I don't think you would usually use HDMI or DVI. Normally it is VGA or S-Video.


I don't know why -- you really want to be at your mixer for adjusting levels and such, if you are interested in good sound. But that being said, Winamp does have a remote capability. You would probably want a CDG player for remote, but I think that is old technology that doesn't make sense for new installs.



I would buy the SuperCore set for a core offering, then download new songs one-by-one from buykaraokedownloads.com or tricerasoft.com, myself. But you can buy disks as well. karaoke.com has the best prices I have seen.

Thanks everybody for the feedback.

What else would I need with the USB mixer? Would I have to get an poweramp or can I get some Active monitors?

Does anybody have any experience with this Remote or program? http://www.acekaraoke.com/unify-vod-kar ... tware.html

Also, could I just get an universal remote? I'm not sure if those logitechs harmonies can work with the desktop. Anybody know?

The main thing I want to accomplish is use a desktop computer to store all my music, thats why i'm asking all these questions. I really want to have video playing in teh background too, while the lyrics are shown. Would I just have to buy a lot of those dvd's and then store them in some sort of program?

Thanks!

I think I can build a cheaper system, than use the CAVs jb-199. Know of any remotes like those that work with karaoke programs? Thats my biggest barrier right now: I dont want to use a mouse to select songs, I rather use a remote!

Thanks

I can't understand why you are so interested in remote control. If you are using PC or Laptop, you can use the playlist to cue up the songs; but you will still need to do some adjustment on vol (mic and music) and eq. I have not come across a system where you can mix on remote control.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

he's interested because he's INTERESTED in it. It's his first experience that lasted with him, and it's what's in his mind is THE best way to do it.

Well, AS a new person asking what's out there, please don't think that you can build an easier way to do something. If there WAS an easier way to do it, I probably would have recommended it! !

The Cavs-JB-199 system is not mouse controlled. It's a player you rip the cdgs into the hard drvie, and then you use either the remote OR the player to change the next songs.

Now having said that, remember there's a very important part of running a SHOW, you'll have to adjust individual singers, so you'll be having to make adjustments to the mixer, minute adjustments for microphones (women and men, volume, less or more echo), key adjustment for songs (key up or down, up or down tempo, singer rotation... sound field adjustment... there's a LOT to learning how to run a show effectively.

Using a mouse or remote or just putting in discs is a small section of that!

As I said before, welcome to the world of karaoke!

What exactly do you want the remote to do???  Maybe I can make it happen.

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Okay, who took my pants?

I want the remote for when friends come over. My karaoke setup will have the feel of a real karaoke bar.

Hey knightshow, do CDG's include videos? Like the karaoke place i went too had random videos accompanying the text. Is there any software that does that?

Also, do CDG's play midi sounds or is it like 128kbp stereo? I'm guessing the former right?

I really looked into the JB-199, it seems great but the $ is really harsh. And the song downloads cost a bunch.

From what I understand, I can just get a software that does the queuing up, a remote that controls the software and an external mixer? And that'll be like the JB-199? It seems to me that JB-199, is just a computer with their custom software that works with the remote.

I want the remote to basically work with the software i'm going to use. It must be able to search the songs and queue them up.

I'm unsure of what software to use, and what remotes will work though .

Nothing is 'cheap' in this business if you do it right. If you've read any of the other threads you'll find that most of legit hosting companies have spent a small fortune on the music we use. You do have the choice now, however, of purchasing a song at a time so the cost is considerably less for music compared to a few years ago. The videos you refer to were probably those that play on the old PIoneer laser discs. I know there are some newer CDGs that actually video but I don't know what those are offhand. There are people who have converted their Pioneer lasers to computer. Just ask. I don't believe you can even find those anymore, or very limited if you can, and they required a different player than the CDGs.

MTU Hoster will allow you to create your rotation and then put it on automatic so it automatically ends a song, sits for a certain period of time (which you designate) and automatically cues the next song and starts it. That's about as close to remote as I know of.

Best of luck with getting your home system going.

k

You might be able to get something like this to work:

http://www.provantage.com/microsoft-lic ... SXX086.htm

You may be able to get this remote to work in folder with numbers...

I like the rest of the poster's here don't see the advantage of running your computer with a remote for karaoke.

If you want to run the karaoke with a remote, you should get a hard drive karaoke machine, like those mentioned.

basically your asking for recommendations for hardware and software that is not in use for this application today.

If your heart is set on doing it this way, then you will have to be the one to figure it out.

Ok, I think I know what i'm going to do.

LCD touchscreen with hooked up with a desktop will be used to select the songs, while the 2nd LCD will display the video. Only problem now is the cable length from the desktop to the tv .

Does anybody have any experience with the CAVS JB systems? I would really like to know how they perform

I have experience with the Cavs JB-99, NOT the 199. Although I've heard stories... I just can't comment as I have no direct knowledge of THAT latter unit.

To answer your earlier question, no CDGs do NOT have random videos. Either VCDs (which are made with the vids) or a software that will let you do that random video.

I tell ya, for just having friends come over, you're sure after a HUGE deal...

Yes. I have great experience with the jb-199s. They are rack mountable for easy mobility, are rugged and not cheaply-made like most laptop systems (I have one of those too but for home use only). They have built in background video scenery or you could add a usb camera and show your live audience or whatever. You can rip in all your i-tunes library, add a second monitor...uses a remote...etc..... you can go to cavsusa.com, if you haven't already.

It costs more $, takes time to load, but you get what you pay for- quality, reliability, and a machine that won't regularly crash on you, or have someone crash into IT and and the whole shabang falls on the floor in pieces. You can also download songs on-the-spot into the machine whenever you want them. Cavs is windows-based- (fyi)

If your karaoke setup is for HOME USE ONLY, then you can buy a USED preloaded cavs 199 from a few shady individuals on ebay for a couple of grand with thousands of songs, and skip the whole extremely time consuming rip-in process and plug-n-play instantly- with remote and books preprinted.

NEVER use them commercially as it's very illegal at-this-point if you don't own the discs, and BAD for the karaoke industry because you can undercut other's shows and bring down the value of karaoke everywhere.

I'd be interested if you find a touch-screen that can work well with karaoke. That's something i haven't experimented with yet. Keep us posted on your progress.
 J.R.  :wave:

I've built a number of touch screen juke boxes over the past few years.

Most were built using Micro Industries touchscreen kiosk computers such as this:

http://www.microindustries.com/products ... ige17.aspx

These usually have ELO touchscreens which are the most reliable, and have a glass touch surface, rather than plastic, which wears out:

http://www.elotouch.com/

There are a number of different software choices, and some of them will do karaoke here's a couple that will do karaoke:

http://www.multijuke.com/index.php?item=features
http://www.thejukeboxer.com/

Most of the juke boxes I built were not used for karaoke, so I used Party Time Jukebox software, because I liked the interface the best.

http://www.partytimejukebox.com/index.html

Here's a picture of one of the larger units that I made:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22794316@N03/2355910672/

The units were generally built into a wall in the home and had other software and home management capabilities.

If you are really serious about doing this, please contact me, as I have the components to put these systems together, or can help you find sources.

Okay, the thing that CAVS systems likes to do is talk about the stability and ruggedness... In over twelve years of being a KJ, I've never ONCE had a system crash on me. I've never ONCE had anybody crash into my system... and I wouldn't trust a pc that said that they were "crash resistant" or whatever that meant for shock absorbion.

((end rant!))

Yeah...okay....if you say so Knightshow.

I've seen many a few laptops end up on the floor due to not being secured in rigs.
Also witnessed many bugs and viruses that prevented startups, loose connections that prevented anything at all from happening, and kicked out plugs that sent whole units to their deaths!

My point is ruggedness because they're rack-mounted with screws inside a wooden rig, have a protective thick metal case, and CHECK THIS...NOT 15 cables and wires dangling out of it!!  LMAO

END RANT ALSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!