Karaoke Forums

Just a simple little set of questions for everyone here.

What CD+G players do you use at your shows?

Are they single, double, or even triple tray? A

re they rack mountable?

What kind of features does it have?

What do you like/dislike about it?

Have you had any issues with it?

OK, to start: Mine is the Numark CDN-25+G, double tray, rackmountable 2 piece unit. I actually have had good luck with it. Only problem is the left player has trouble reading burned CDR discs on the upper track numbers. Other than that is has been flawless.

The one feature I would like it to have is instead of pitch control done in "%", I would like it to be shown in how many steps, (keys, or half keys).

Other than that I like it, but am now looking for a second unit. After reading some of the reviews on my model, I feel I got lucky and got a good unit. Some of the reviews are pretty negative about the Numark units.

Ok, so show me yours. Thanks in advance

Apparently nobody here uses any cd+g players, cuz in the time this post has been created, nobody has replied,,,hmmmm. Interesting,,,very very interesting. I was just hoping for a few ideas on what's available out there, and peoples opinions on how they like their players. Now lets see what happens.

I didn't reply because we use an ancient Pioneer V121 G which doesn't help you in being able to go out and buy something now. But we do still use players. The Pioneer is rack mounted and has a good key changer and there is a place dedicated to keeping them repaired and running. It also seems more able to play singer's older scratched discs than some players.

Cons are it takes a bit of time to load and you need a remote to go beyond choosing song 20. It is also easy to forget to push the button to take the guide vocal off if you use the old laser discs.

The Pioneer was actually our back-up to a JVC Triple Tray but the JVC laser bit the dust and we weren't able to find someone willing to go the extra mile to get parts. So we are looking, also. I am tending toward a machine sold by Sound Choice that Joe Charteuse is having some luck witih using. Maybe he will elaborate.

For me the subject line brings me in lots of times. If I don't know what something is about from that, then lots of times I ignore the post.

I don't really use a CDG player. I own one, a JVC triple-tray, and I like it. But I have never used it in hosting, I only use it for my wife to do karaoke with disks which she likes better than the computer. At least those 900 CDGs are getting some use after I put them on the computer.

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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 don't use anything new either. Older Pioneer laserdisc players that are also cdg. Honestly nothing out there today that really i'd depend on for shows.

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Mcky, i just thought I would use something a little more provocative than "what player do you use?" I just thought that was a little boring. But, yeah, I see your point tho. Well taken

Just learned earlier today, that the player that I have and wanted to purchase a second one, is no longer in production. So, I have to look at different possibilities, meaning the input on this thread will be very helpful to my situation.

Too bad it's gonna be discontued, cuz it has worked like a champ for almost 5 years now. I might have to buy a cheapie just to get through til I actually do find something more permanent.

Which is why I decided to go computerized in the first place. There isn't a player on the market today i'd recommend for full time commercial use.

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Lonnie, I am computerized as well, but I keep a player for those people who bring in discs. That's the only reason I have one around. But still much easier to have one already hooked up the the system and ready to go when needed, rather than to have one sitting on the desk/table that I would have to plug in each time. I have to come with with "plan-B", whatever that might be. That's why the suggestions are needed more now.

mrscott, let me be the first to try to give an answer you can use.

I use a Cavs 203 player ($189) single cdg/dvd player for my singers as well as to play promo only music videos at the end of the show. It could load a little faster, but it was the best thing i could find after my jvc single tray started breaking down.

I like the fact that i don't need a remote control since numbered buttons are on the front of the unit, as well as key changes. Solid reliable player.

As Babs (i think) mentioned in another post, using your laptop or desktop to play customers discs can/will eventually ruin your computers drive- as they're not made tough enough for daily repeated use. -makes sense to me. I don't like putting dvd movies in mine, always feel like i'm gonna break it.

Cavs also makes a 203-usb version, but i've never tried it.

I've been through the tray player woos.

In my opinion the old school discontinued players are by far the best. I was lucky to find a RSQ-MV 333 Triple Tray on Ebay when my Pioneer PD-V10 G died. I usually only use one tray because I'm just using it to play customers discs. Just be careful what you put in the coinciding tray. If a customers disc won't play it automatically goes to the next tray. I've had my effects discs in there and instead of playing the customers disc it went to the next tray and played farts.


I have the Cavs 203 and the 203 usb. I don't use either one for discs. They load painfully slow, but so do most any of the tray players on the market right now from as far as I can tell. Most manus have gone to trying to do to much with their players and by doing so have settled for less quality. They have made them more for home use than for KJs because most KJs are pc based now.

If you search around you can still find the discontinued players. Sometimes on Eaby, Craiglist or simply posting in the forum.

As far as features I just wanted a player that loaded fast and had a key change.

Sorry Mrscott for not posting sooner. I don't venture in here much. I don't feel I'm an expert in the tech department. I'm more your average KJ.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I use the JVC single draw player. . . and I have a three tray as a back up. . . I've never found anything to even come close to the single draw. But alas they are no longer in production.

found this on ebay- the precursor to the v-10

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-KARAOKE-CD- ... 286.c0.m14

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I use 2 of the RSQ (same as the JVC) single drawer players and am just now converting to computer.
I had an option of doing the triple drawer but thought what if there happen to be a problem with the player in the middle of a show, what would I do. If a player had a problem, it didn't matter how many drawers it had if there was a problem I could be without a player. I decided to go with two single players so if there was a problem, I would automatically have a back up. Also with two singles, I could have one in use and load the other one for the next singer.
After 8 years they are both in full operation.

I personally agree with most of the posters here... you can't beat the "Old Faithful's"

I use a Pioneer PD-V10G. I purchased it quite some time ago from eBay but received it in a nonfunctional condition. I was able to get hold of Pioneer and order parts as well as a service manual for it and make the repairs myself (not an easy task I might add).

I suppose if I were to HAVE to replace it (perish the thought) I would go with a VocoPro unit. They seem to be the biggest name these days unless you go with a multi-format unit.

Just a side note... ANY unit can be made rack mountable... I have actually seen rigs with a rack shelf mounted and a unit either pinned down by the equipment mounted above, strapped to the shelf, or screws driven through the shelf into the unit (I do NOT recomend the latter)

Sorry, Mr. Scott, just noticed the thread.

I'm disc based, and have tried quite a few.

If you are PC based, than a single drawer will probably do you.

Everyone is right in regard to the older models being better, but there are some good serviceable units out there, hiding under strange labels:

Performer's Choice ( made for Sound Choice): My current unit is 4 years old, and is one of two units that I use every show ( I prefer two singles to a multi-tray). A workhorse. All the bells and whistles ( all effects including 13 step keychange, etc...) Number one recommendation.


V2GO-100 : Actually made in the Pioneer factory. More up to date, including USB port as well as everything else on front panel. Will play virtually any kind of disc, including those with MP3 files. Seems to be very durable as well #2 Choice


Mixonic: Going a little downscale. Works fine, same bells and whistles, but not quite as durable as the above, especially the buttons and switches. Better as a back up.

RLTech: Run, Forrest, run! Got two to test from a friend. The tray fell out of one, and the video board of the other crapped out during burn-in.

These are accessible suggestions- older would still be better.

BTW- pitch control is always in %. Key Change ( a completely different animal) is in steps.


Hope that helps....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Mrscott, I am computer based, and use the CAVS 203g. It is slow loading, but if you're computer based, you load the customer disc, press start, then pause, while the previous singer is still singing. When that singer is done, you call the next singer up, and press play. Starts just like any other song on your computer, no one else knows that you are using the player because of a laps in time. Also, if your computer goes down for any reason, just hook your harddrive to the Cavs player, and you're back in business in minutes.

Rosario
Serenity Now Karaoke

Another option is to use a DVD player with CDG playback capabilities. Two of my faves are the Mintek DVD-1600 (keychanger on the remote, but no LED display) and the newer Philips 3954 or 5960 (no keychanger, but has an LED display). Either can be rack mounted on a special rack shelf that is sold at Musicians Friend or on eBay. The Philips models are one rackspace thin.

Tarzan posted this in the Discussion Forum. This player is a great find !

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I use a 100.00 cdg player( Sanken) from Indonesia, and I have had no issues with it.
I also have a Singing machine ( about $40) for back up.
Anything sounds good going through my Mackie powered mixer, even these cheap players.
Needless to say I'm not sticking with these, but the question was what do you use?
Any how, it's funny how the concenses is that computer is better, which may very well be, but faster than a cdg player,whether you have a dual deck or two singles,I disagree.
From my observation of many many shows visited, those who use the computer spend more time punching keys inbetween sets, whilist those who use cdg players use that time to chit chat with people or whatever.
I mean, what are they doing?, surfing the net inbetween sets?