Karaoke Forums

I'm sure the answer to my question is out there somewhere but I don't know where to find it..........
I've had experience with playing with a band so I'm a little familiar with the set up necessary for those type of performances (speakers, mixer, etc). But, I do have to say reading this forum has enlightened me even in that area! What I don't know is what equipment and/or software will I need to purchase in order to be able to prepare and perform solo using karaoke set up? In my web searches, I've seen dual players, players with hard drives, etc. On the forum I've read about lap tops, programs needed for ripping . I obviously want to be able to go from one song to the next pretty easily (quickly) and have it play in the key I would be singing it in. Is this something I can do myself while performing (based on the equipment I buy) or will it be necessary to have someone help work the controls?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Personally and this is just based off what I've used... I'd run MTU hoster on a laptop beside me. You would be able to preload the songs in the order/key you want them and just hit play each time your ready to start your next song. Of course it would be easier with someone else running it off stage, but this is just my 2 pennies. From that laptop you could run a small 13" tv for lyrics if needed. I would recommend it atleast the first few shows... you wouldn't believe how easy it is to forget lyrics when your doing a solo show.

I use Sax & Dottys to host on a laptop. You can enter your songs and have the key set at that time. There is also an automatic start feature and you can adjust the time in between songs starts. Most songs between the ending of one and the beginning of the next has plenty of time for applause and maybe a quick couple of words.

If it was me, i would use a computer. Discs have a tendancy to skip from dust or finger prints. Once you have the track on a hard drive it always plays the same everytime. No surprises.

The computer audio will run through the mixer and everything can easily be mixed by you.

You don't really need a software that most pro KJ are using here, you'll need a good mp3+g player that also has a good key changer

How about this Freeware, it has everything you need and it's built on the Bass sound engine, it doesn't sound any better

http://www.karafun.com/karaokeplayer/

Thanks for the responses.

Is this "freeware" good enough to use to perform at small private clubs (Elks, VFW's, etc.)?

Also.......I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this subject or sounding absolutely clueless, but I still don't know what basic equipment I need to have in order to perform these types of gigs.

I'm guessing a karaoke player of some sort..........But what do I look for? A dual player?, one with a hard drive built in?, what effects (if any) should I make sure it has?

I'm also guessing I need to have a lap top.......... But what is it's purpose? I'm thinking from one of the responses that it could be "optional" but what are additional advantages?

Then, if I do use a lap top I will need some software to bring this all together. But I'm still not clear on what I need and what it does. I guess one that manages your songs and allows you to choose the next one you want to perform. Then what about getiing those songs into the lap top? Do you just connect the karaoke player to the lab top and use a program like Roxio (or Sax & Dotty or MTU hoster) to save it to the hard drive? And ripping..........what the heck is that!

As you can see, I'm probably pretty much "off the mark" on this stuff. I appreciate any response I get but if it's easier just to point me to a web site that can teach me karaoke 101 please do!

Thanks again.........

My initial thoughts on how this

If I'm getting this right, you wish to perform in solo using karaoke or instrumental backing? If yes, all you need is a software capable of playing your tracks, one that will let you run your own show... Most people here are kj's not solo artist so if it's just for yourself, yes, Karafun will be a great software to use. You can create your own playlist and you can also save the key in case you don't want to forget

May I ask what kind of budget you have? We will be able to suggest different setup for you

You don't need a player if you go the laptop way. For laptop you will need:

1:
to rip your discs to your hard drive. some people use an external drive that is connected to the computer. Your backing track in the hard disc. To do that you will need a program to rip (transfer the music) your cdg collection. For this try Powerkaraoke. Demo it first before you buy.
http://www.powerkaraoke.com/

2:
Once the backing track is in your computer you will need a program to play them. That program is call a hosting program; because such program does more that play a mp3g tracks. You will need to choose the hosting program that satisfy Your NEEDS. Everyone you ask will recommend a different hosting program.Try out all the demos.

3:
There are two out put of the mp3g that you play from your computer; the backing music and the video output. The vid signal goes to the ty screen to display the lyric and the audio parts goes to the mixer which is where you will input your mic.

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

You will need the PA system (speakers, amp, mixer (or power mixer... mixer and amp in 1 unit... and whatever mic you prefer) and a laptop.

Ripping is the act of "pulling" information (be it audio, video, data files, etc.) off of a CD or DVD or CDG (CD plus graphics... aka, karaoke cd) onto your computers hard drive. Depending on how many songs you are going to be performing, you may want to get an external hard drive to hold all of your files. From the sounds of it, you might not even need to bother with CDGs or Karaoke files. It sounds to me like you just need the instrumental version of the songs you want to perform (assuming that you have the songs memorized and do not need to read the lyrics off of a screen.) If this is the case, you could do everything you need to do by getting the instrumental versions of your songs onto your hard drive either by purchasing the MP3 files or by purchasing a CD with the instrumental version on it and ripping it to your lap top.

As for programs, Winamp has a plug in (an "extra" part to the software) that you can down load to change the key of the song being played. You could easily cue up a play list with all of your files that you are going to perform and just change the key on each song (which would require your lap top to be some where near you on the stage/performance area.

As for getting the sound out of the lap top and through your PA, the easiest and cheapest way to do this is to go to Radio Shack (or similar store) and get an 1/8" to RCA cable. This plugs into the head phone jack of your lap top and into your mixer (or power mixer). Then just adjust the volumes to mix your mic and back up music to preference.

I hope that answered all of your questions! Good luck!

Thank you, thank you, thank you............you all have clarified alot for me!

To answer a few questions, yes, I'm a soloist looking to perform with backup instrumentation. I didn't know there were CD's or MP3's available with just the instrumental version. I thought the karaoke CD's were my only option. What websites can I find those CD's/MP3's?

As far as budget.......I hate that question because I have a history (from performing with a band) to always look to purchase the "best" right from the start. I never wanted to cut corners when it came to sound.

From your responses, I went to MTU website and noticed they offer a "Hoster Ruggedized Laptop Computer". Was considering purchasing it. Any comments?

For good quality backing tracks I use http://www.karaoke-version.com/
Most are around 1.99 & you can download from their site immediately after purchase.

I use MTU hoster, but works fine on my standard lappy. Don't see the need for their ruggedized machine.

If you just want the music background and not the graphics that display words, all you have to do is play the CD+G using your regular music player. No need to buy MTU Hoster or anything else. Your windows media player (in case of Macs, iTunes) is all you need. All those will play the CD+G, just the music section without the words.

If you do need the words then you need to get a CD+G player on computer.

Again, if you don't want the computer route, just play the CD+G in a CD player.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

On the other hand you may find it easier just to plug in an ipod.
It is easier than a laptop.
Works just as well.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm definately going with a lap top set up using karaoke recordings. I need to be able to change the keys of the pre-recorded stuff, I like the fact that I can look at the computer screen and manage my lists, and with my "non-memory" I know I'll feel much more secure knowing the words are there for me if I need them.

The reason I originally asked about your views on the MTU laptop is because I will need to buy a lap top anyway. And since I'm just starting out, I thought it easier to buy something ready to go right out of the box! Kind of.............