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Just wondering how you handle singers who come in with their songs on usb flash drives. I've only had two singers try this. In both cases these were not regulars of mine. I told them that I don't run virus protection during the show and didn't want to risk it. They both argued that they were perfectly safe because they had obtained them from other hosts that have amazingly large collections of songs. Neither singer was terribly happy with my response, but both of them stayed the night and enjoyed themselves singing songs from my collection. I have never had a problem using a customer's disk, but feel uncomfortable with flash drives.

I don't think we have to deal with strange flash drives.

As it turns out, it should be safe as long as you have disabled Autoplay from USB drives, which you should as a matter of course anyway. (Get the Microsoft Tweak UI Power Toy to disable it in Windows XP).

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I would have no issue playing from a USB. I went to another show once and took a disc AND my USB drive. The Hostess chose to use my USB drive and it went without a hitch. She was using MTU Hoster, and my songs were NOT copied to her drive. I watched closely.

I've had people bring in flash drives lately, some I knew, most I didn't. No problems, not worried about any. Like Micky said, disable autoplay.

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I had one KJ refuse to play my flash drive.. I did not go back.

What if I offered to hook up my laptop to one of your spare channels? I have done this.. Would you have a problem with that?

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No different than discs in this respect. I knew a guy that had a duplicator under his booth. It would copy an entire disc in like 10 minutes. Customer wouldn't even know it. So glad this guy went out of bus.

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For my day job I work in Information Security and I'll tell you the thought of connecting a strange USB drive to my laptop gives me chills. Yes, disabling auto-play is a significant step in the right direction but it isn't fool proof, especially under Windows Vista. Luckily I haven't been confronted by this yet so it hasn't been an issue but the last thing I want is someone getting a keystroke logger or trojan installed on my laptop.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

uploading music permanently into MTU Hoster takes time - like 15-20 minutes for a disc. You can't upload a CDG onto the computer while it is playing a song. Nobody could upload your music permanently onto their computer without you knowing it with Hoster. Apparently it was possible in prior versions to answer "yes" or "no" to permanently uploading. They have removed that option.

There have been hosts in this area who permanently uploaded their singers' CDGs without their knowledge. I don't know if they're still around or not.

For the number of overall singers who frequent my shows who bring their own stuff, Hoster does a quick job of temporarily uploading the music. Haven't had a flash drive yet. (It would infinitely easier to have the option of permanently saving their stuff to my computer if that was an option - both morally and otherwise - but it isn't so I tell them they must bring their music each time.) On the other hand, I've had singers permanently hand over their music to me so I have the CDGs and I have copied that music to my system - the reason given was I was the only show they ever go to or would ever carry their music to. This has happened with maybe 5-6 CDGs.

I don't feel it should be expected that a KJ
#1) Play a customer cdg
#2) Use a customer FLASH DRIVE

Now if a KJ does, thats GREAT and an added service ..If your particuliar show and singers require it.

But for any singer to walk into a strange Karaoke Show and expect either of the above and get UPSET because the KJ can't/won't accomodate them is just plain arrogance in my book.

I haven't had anyone bring in a flash drive yet.

It's just amazing how far technology has come. I just wish they'd make my other equipment smaller and lighter.

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Over the last 4 years on laptop, I have had only maybe three people want to use a flashdrive. Two of them I just told them "No, much too risky". The third one I did use her flash drive, because I knew she had just bought it a couple of days before, just for the purpose of letting me play a song of hers, and I trust her fully. But, I would never in a million years play from someone's I don't even know.

Rarely do we get that request but I dont foresee having a complete stranger walk up with a flash drive. It would be a judgement call as I could evaluate the risk and if I suspected or didnt trust anybody I would refuse or delay with other song requests until I got to know them.

If somebody did do that word would spread like wild fire and it might behoove them to get out of town. I really cant imagine anybody dumb enough to try it.

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I will certainly play it.

I don't think it is arrogance, that I will walk out of a place if the KJ won't play my disc. I won't get mad, but will leave. I sing alot of stuff many KJ's don't have. In fact the only guy I have found who had all the songs I wanted to sing, was a hard drive pirate.

Felix the KJ

If you walk understanding that not all KJ's accept customer discs you would not be arrogant. I posted that if a singer gets UPSET expecting every KJ to play their discs and or use the flash drive. I personally think thats just arrogant

I have a customer who bring me a flash drive on a regular basis. I don't consider playing from their flash drives any different than playing from a cd, except for the possibility of viruses of course. If you have an updated, reliable virus scanner this should not be a problem for you. It is easier for them to bring flash drives than cds, just like it's easier for us to bring a computer. He's been bringing me a flash drive for two years now, and only once did it have a virus. My computer scans the drive before it opens it, and it caught the virus the moment I put it in. It's never been a problem for me.



I wouldn't mind that either. Your laptop would hook up to my system the same as mine does. I don't see why it would be a problem. I don't have much space where I work, however, and even a laptop would be hard to find a spot for. If a host doesn't want to deal with a laptop, you have to admit, it is a little more aggravating than a flash drive. Besides, if you have a laptop, could you not put the songs on a flash to make it more convenient??



Yes, it is. IMO, if we are going to go through the extra trouble to make sure we are able to play cds, I don't see why we are not able to accomodate flash drives. They are even easier!! If your computer is protected enough, it will not play drives with viruses. It will not download or copy any files unless you tell it to. If anyone wants to know what the best virus programs out there are, let me know. My husband owns a computer business, and he has a couple he sells to his customers and trusts on our own computers...And no, Norton is not all it's cracked up to be. It actually isn't very reliable at all.

As far as your epuipment goes, this stuff is heavy, especially for females in the business. But I do have a couple of suggestions for you. I run shows Tuesday-Sunday nights. My mom does a couple of shows for me, so I can be with my children more. She is about 100 pounds sopping wet, and can't handle lugging the heavy stuff on her own. We acquired a show at a bar that was on the third floor of a pier house. (We live at the beach.) She decided to buy a system that she could handle. It is a small bar. She ordered one of the new Yamaha portable PAs. It is great!! I'm probably going to sell my Peavey and get one. It's lighter than the speakers, and it is more powerful than my Peavey by a little. It has built in compressors, a feature I really like. It sounds great. There are several models of them, but the one she bought the EMX512SC. She also went to the Peavey PR12 speakers. They are smaller than my 15's, but they do the job for a small venue, and they are so light it's crazy!!! My favorite thing she bought was her speaker stands. Her stands crank up. They are not fully hydraulic, like Frankenstands, but they are so easy!!!! The speakers are light enough she can lift them onto the stand. Then she just turns the handle and they are up in a jiffy. I can barely get my 15's on a stand and lift them myself. I do it, but it's the hardest part of my set up. Her system is so easy to set up, I've thought about selling off my heavy stuff and ordering duplicates of hers. It might be worth it for you too, if you're doing venues with a lot of set-up and break-down. The bar I do myself is a steady gig, so I leave speakers there, and it's not a problem for me. Just thought I would let you know. The day her equipment came, I was like a kid in a candy shop

Why does the customer need to understand that some host don't play customer disc?
I don't know about where your from, but here in the Los Angeles area, most singers have their own disc, and prefer to go to places where they can use them. LA has more karaoke bars per square mile than anyplace outside of Asia. I reall think the Host who refuses to do little things that would make the singer feel beautiful, is the arrogant person, not the singer. The karaoke nazi routine doesn't work for most people here. These are often the best custumers, and always the best tipers.

If I have a song that the KJ doesn't have, and I need that song to feel beautiful, I should be able to sing it. Anything easy that I can do to make my singers experience better for them, why wouldn't I do it.

As I am disc based for another 2 weeks, heck I don't have to find the disc, no wear and tear on my disc. I am going to be disc based soon. If I have the version they have, I will train my regulars to let my play my copy on the computer. If I don't have it, and they do, I will always accomodate disc, jump drives, or whatever technology comes out that is safe. Customer service is making their experience everything they want it to be.

Felix the KJ

missbipbip - I don't have to worry about the flashdrive problem because I simply don't have anyone who brings them in. I do although play customers discs.

Thanks for the info on the setup. I shouldn't complain really. I don't setup or tear down. My equipment is permanently at the bar. The only time it comes into play is when I want to do private functions which is rare since I'm booked every Friday, Saturday and Wed. already. It really was just an observation that our equipment still is cumbersome and heavy while other technologies are getting smaller and more portable.

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I encourage singers if there is something I do not have by all means you are more than welsome to bring it in.

I do not think I have had a request in 3 years that I do not have avaiable. The only request I get that I don't have are songs that are not made, just released, or due to be released.

I've thought about putting my discs on a flash drive. To me, it's the ideal way to carry music around if you are a singer.

?? How do you know they have a 1 to 1 for their songs on the flash drive?

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