Karaoke Forums

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for reading on...

I am production manager of a theatre company based in Manchester Uk, we are creating a new piece that will include a fully functioning Karaoke booth (similar in nature to the "lucky voice" booths if that is familiar). I am an exerienced sound designer / engineer but have no experience of the world of karaoke equipment.

I was hoping that someone in forum land might be able to help with a little advice on what equipment might be best for my needs - brand names end models would be terrific!

We are filming a performer singing a song and are putting the words across the bottom (with the bouncing ball). I presume I will receive this as a DVD or video file.

There will be approximately 10 songs and we would like these to be selected on a simple touch screen.

The video should be shown on a large 42" screen

The audience will join in with the video of the performer using up to 2 microphones which will have a little reverb and ideally some compression.

I already have speakers and amps etc.

I guess my questions are:

Am I better of with a dedicated Karaoke system or should I run it of a computer? If I choose a computer is there a piece of software that will allow me to import my films and allow me to choose them from the touch screen. Do I infact need a karaoke system at all or is there software out there that allows a user to select a film from a touch screen!?!

Any help or suggestions greatfully received and thanks again

Greg Akehurst