Karaoke Forums

Ok, So from the subject line, you should be able to tell I have had at least one or two computer programming classes in my past... but I really haven't done anyting on that front.

What can I say, well I was really introduced to Karaoke when I was on business travel to Penang, Malaysia in 2006. And well, now I'm pretty hooked. I am hoping to setup my own Karaoke system at home, and found this site. I am hoping it will be a wealth of information from those who are already enjoying this growing form of entertainment, here in the US.

I think after doing a lot of research, I will prefer the DVD / VCD format, with multiplex tracks. This will help me to learn new tunes, that I don't know. That, and I like the moving pictures in the background, instead of a plain screen. The Karaoke clubs and such in Penang had the 'video' with the Karaoke, so that is what I like.

Anyway, I look forward to meeting many of you. I have already heard a few of you singing in the Singers Showcase... WOW. I've got some serious work / practice... if I'm going to sound as good as you.

Have a great one!

- Michael


moved to Main Forum

I just moved this from the noob forum.

Welcome to KS, Michael.

Asian used mostly DVD/VCD multiplex format for Karaoke. Most of the Western world are on CDG/ mp3+G.

If you are to sing mostly Asian song then, the a DVD format is the choice. But for English songs CDG is the default format.

Well this is where my dilema comes to play. I am from the US, and my wife is from Penang. She loves to sing karaoke, so I anticipate purcasing a mix of music, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

I am thinking to setup a Karaoke PC, so I can buy the music, and then rip it to the hard-drive. This way, I can get CDG, VCD, DVD... etc... and not be limited based on hardware.

I am looking at some of the different software available, as well as 'system requirements', as I will build the PC myself, to try and save a few bucks. I know there are discussion here about that, which I will review in detail.

The hope is, I can surprise my wife, with a Karaoke system for our one year anniversary. The hard part is, she'll need to pick the Chinese music, as I have no clue on how to read chinese, or what songs are 'good'.

Looks like a great diverse crowd here, with lots of experience in the KJ arena as well. I hope to learn a lot from everyone.

Cheers!
- Michael

If you are familiar with the Asian model, go with that. For home use and your wife's familiarity with it, it should be fine. If you go out to karaoke, the clubs will most likely be in CDG format. Picking Chinese titles without your wife knowing will be hard like you said. I would present the home set up and also give a gift card from whatever source she can purchase those. I am sure she will be excited. Good Luck. Maybe Jian knows more about Asian titles.

Pick the format for your home use that best suits your objectives. If you were planning to use your equipment professionally, then focus on CDG discs.

If you don't have a need to change keys, one immediate benefit of DVD's is that you won't have to buy a special player. Actually, I have a DVD player that does key changes. I got it about 5-6 years ago at Walmart. I didn't realize when I bought it that just how unique that equipment is.

If you must have a key changer, then purchase a player that will play most, if not all of, the available formats. Such a unit can be had for about $125

I think there are several units that play DVD, VCD, and CDG. I am not a big CAVS fan, but I know they make one. I bet RSQ does too.

With regard to multiplex tracks, I like them. I have learned some of my favorite songs by new (to me) artists by seeing them on a disk I bought. In particular, the performances are not so intimidating as the ones by the original artist, much more of the "I can do that!" type.

[font=verdana] Not trying to hijack this thread, but would like to clarify the term ‘multiplex’. I have discs that are multiplex that only have one version of each song, but you can play it with or without vocals. I also see post where the discs with two versions of each song, one with vocals, one without, are referred to as ‘multiplex’.

Which is the correct definition?

Personally, I like the type I have because you can play it with vocals to learn the song, then switch to without when you have it mastered. Plus, you get more tracks per disc.
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Dusty Rose
Blue Rose Classic Karaoke
More Sound! More Selections! More Fun!
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As far as I know, Blue, multiplex is defined by the attribute which allows the vocal to be diminished in volume to the point where it can be totally eliminated. This is really helpful for learning a new song. Discs with vocal tracks do not allow that option.

As to products for playing various disc formats, Mcky is correct that RSQ offers several different options. I have an RSQ deck that plays DVD,VCD, CDG, MP3, CD and more!

Multiplex is the first, but multiplex disks just about always come with a non-multiplex version without vocals. That is because it is difficult to play the multiplex version reliably for use with karaoke. I don't know of any multiplex-only disks available, myself.

The second track with vocals usually *is* a multiplex track, i.e. you can switch on and off the vocals by playing only one of the two tracks.

I have some that I got by download -- I made my own karaoke track by stripping the vocal track and moving the other track to mono.

[font=verdana] The Multiplex I have are the NuTech Party Pack Vol. 1,2, & 3, and Panorama Top Hits 2006 and another Panorama disc with 1000 tracks. These are all SCDG discs. Each track has the ability to be played with or without vocals. There is a button on my remote for my CAVS that allows you to switch from mono right, mono left, and stereo. Depending on how your speakers are hooked up, either left or right will eliminate vocals, and the stereo setting diminishes them to where it is easy for you to be heard on top of the recorded vocals. Even when you eliminate the normal vocal recording, you still get any back-up vocals that are on the track.

There is also a switch on my PKJ 9090 mixer that supposedly eliminates vocals, but it also suppresses the music track so I never use it.
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Dusty Rose
Blue Rose Classic Karaoke
More Sound! More Selections! More Fun!
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I haven't had the need for them, but I can't imagine it would be a negative to use them.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

The only ver, we have are ALL in multiplex and there is no -1 track. In many case the vocal on the multiplex is that of the original artist.
There is nothing complex about playing muliplex disc.

Jian, in the US this is not so true. First, many tracks are L-Multiplex and some are R-Multiplex, meaning you have to play them differently. Second, I believe there are quite a few CDG players that do not have a multiplex button. (I know at least the CAVS 203D and the RSQ-N500 don't. They may have had such functions buried in their remote menus, though.) I had such a button on a "karaoke mixer" but that only worked for some of the multiplex tracks I had, the L-Multiplex ones.

If you play them on Hoster, I know it has an L-Multiplex, R-Multiplex, and Both button to allow you to play on any type. I have never looked for such a feature on any other software, since I don't want or need it.

It is left or right; nothing complex. I marked all my R discs. (95% of all multipex disc here is L)