Karaoke Forums

I know most of you guys are running a computer setup, but until I can get setup I'll be using CD+G discs. How does everybody store their discs. Is there some where that has the supplies such as binders or disc wallets?

Be careful on the binders. Some can rub the cds against each other. Cheaper isn't an option I'd recommend.

Any suggestions?

Fellows are usually good.

Don't get any HUGE binders (those that hold over 300).

Personally, If I had to go back to using discs, I'd probably use jewel cases. I noticed minute scratches that came from my binders.

Folding books are completely inefficient in regards to quickly locating a disk, and will damage your CDs.

When I used disks I used a hanging Sleeve system and a case like this:

http://www.supermediastore.com/cd-dvd-s ... acity.html

Also, I made copies of all my disks and stored the originals. Some here would frown on that, but at the end of the day this is a functional business. Shows can be hard on disks... one of the copies gets destroyed, just make a new one. This is a grey area in the law for sure, but as long as you don't go trying to make extra money on the side by selling them, you'll be fine. I always had the originals in the van in case I needed it. The first time one is badly scratched (or walks away!) you'll be glad you did.

This system is super efficient. You first hang them alphabetically by manufacturer:

AH, AIN, CB, Dk

Then, by disk number. It is so easy to slip a new disk in. Lets say you have disks SC7501 and SC7503, and then buy SC7502. All you have to do is slip a sleeve in between (or if you were smart and left a space for the missing disc, just slip it in... the sleeves hold two discs).

If you're using books you have to move every disk down one.... ack!

This also reduceds the space on the table needed for the disks, and makes your set up easier.

During a show, you simply pull a disk up, but don't remove it. I ususally was two singers ahead... one in the player, two slid up. The song request slip goes in the empty sleeve so you can quicly locate it when you need to return the disk.

While this is awesome, if you do misfile a disk... your screwed.... The only option is to let your fingers do the walking... ack.

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If I had to do it all over again, I would not use the original discs....but burn a copy of each disc and keep the originals safe at home. I do use a binder with sleeves, but they do leave minor scratches. Many of my cds are older and can't ever be replaced. I have some newer ones that are screwed up because a lovely patron spilled a drink on my cd case and the labels stuck to the discs and it peeled off some of back covering. Talk about NOT a happy camper. The thing was I had no idea about it until I opened the case the next week and it was all dried and starting to mold......MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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The binders that claim to hold 300 dont! The space and size of the CDs pads them out so they would never close. Moreover, it pushes the CDs together too much.

In a similar situation, I'd go for alu cases.

I was doing that. After I had a couple of originals get broke, and I couldn't get a replacement for one for the LONGEST time ("Ohhhhhhh, oh oh ohhhh, for the longest tiiiiiIIIIMmme!!!!" heheheh) I went to burned discs.

Good thing about that is if you got a scratch, it was nothing to replace the disc by the next show. I'd redo it as soon as I got home!

Thanks guys for the info. I'll probably go ahead and order one of those cases and sleeves later today.

For years I actually carried a HUGE metal case and each CDG was also in a hard hard case (like the kind you buy a CD in). I had picked up the case from a friend - it had perhaps been a tool container, maybe? It was three sections with side doors that opened up. We put shelves in it and that thing kept my CDGs safe for many years. Problem was it was very, very heavy, and took up a commanding space when it was open. When that got too heavy to maneuver anymore, I saw what the binder situation did to discs and thought that over the years the scratches would become an issue so I went to the soft sleeves and put the discs in wooden cases with lids that came off. I used two of them for along time and about the time I had to go to 3, we computerized for the sake of space saving. The wooden cases got to be very heavy as well (we had 950 CDGs between the 2 cases), but they do an excellent job protecting your CD inventory, and if you have less than 1000 CDGs it is possible to carry them all in 2 of those cases. I picked up many packages of the soft plastic sleeves at Big Lots for very inexpensively - those can get expensive as well.

Any storage system where the disc is going to need to be slid in & out is not very good. Anything can get in between the sleeve & scratch the disc - bottom side not so bad, label side - death to the disc. The folders are clumsy & aren't very good protaection. Jewel cases are bulky but the only real protection for discs. I have tried every storage way & go back to jewel cases. The slimline jewel cases can put 2 discs in 1 regular spot.

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Though conventional wisdom here is not big on binders, I've never had a problem with them or disc damage. They take the least abount of room and are the most portable.

However, as posted above, you can't opt for cheap. Good binders have thick cloth backed pages, not those thin white plastic deals. You CAN use a good binder for large (over 300 discs) as long as it's a double set of rings so the pages don't get compressed.

Indexing is easy. By brand, then series within brand ( i.e. Sound Choice. then say, SC Power Picks, then Spotlight, etc....0 Then by disc number. Once you get it set up and you're used to it, a disc is a finger flip away.

I put the brands in front to back by quantity of that brand. Be sure to leave empty pages between brands and series for expansion.

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