Karaoke Forums

I take pride in trying to make people sound their best. I'm sure most KJs feel the same. It's my job and I'd like to do it to the best of my ability.

I'm sure if you took 10 KJs and had them all set things the way they saw fit you get some variances. Sometimes it's personal preferrence.

Now the type of equipment we have to work with and knowledge are a totally different subject. I find some KJs don't think they need to spend money on equipment or don't have the knowledge to run it properly.

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Hey everyone, ( been gone for awhile, not that anyone noticed ) from my experiences it would seem like a majority of people simply don't care about the music mix. It's not that they're tone deaf or bad singers, they just don't care, different priorities.

Here's an analogy: My buddy got a 60" plasma TV and got rid of an old non HDTV, he also got HD cable installed hooked up a nice 7.1 sound system and fired it all up. Well for me it was like night and day but his fiance was like "I don't see or hear much difference" not important enough to her to really care about the differences. She just wants to be able to see and hear Gray's Anatomy whether in HD, digital or analog, doesn't matter to her.

Now you can sit there and try to explain all the little nuances of the a great KJ's sound system and how he's tweaking the singer or the music mix but a majority of people just don't care, as long as there isn't feedback or the music isn't skipping or glitching most people would be happy with a so so sound system.

Someone earlier said that most KJ's on here are a little more professional and that's why everyone appears to be a caring KJ who tweaks and adjust every song and every vocalist, and although that statement is true, believe me real life outside this forum is not like that. It would be interesting to know of all the KJ's world wide what percentage are on here. I'd venture to say an ultra low percentage.

Although I do care about sound and mixing and what not, I remember a little hole in the wall bar in San Antonio that for awhile had a KJ with one speaker ( think it was a single 12'' and horn ) that didn't sound good ( no bass ) but the place was usually packed and everyone was having fun, people were clapping for everyone, just an all around good time. Stayed the whole night and had a blast. Sound? Not great, did it matter that night, not really. Rudy.

In my opinion, that pretty much covers most of it for me and many others. I will add that each singer and listener also decides what sounds good to them, and how much they care about the sound.

Therefore, I take exception to the following subjective evaluations as to what's good, crappy, or whatever



angel910

Ok now I'm going to let everybody in on the secret.

Most here are so locked into the small bubble of karaoke and think there is only one way. They evaluate everything from a karaoke singers perspective. They want certain rituals because anything from the norm shakes their confidence for they are afraid of the unknown and they dont like the unexpected.

The following is the result of many decades singing, hosting and performing as master of ceremonies fro different events sports events or leagues.

System: From many years of development, trial and tribulation, learning from others here and sound guys I have a decent system. I take pride in the fact that pros, ave singers and poor singers sound better on my system.However during live performances I do not have the time to ride the desk the way I would like to. ( So it is not the system)

Rotation: I have many dynamic formats and the rotation sequence varies with demand. ( I run a fair rotation but it is not a major criteria)

Participation or singing: Depending upon the situation I( might sing to get things going or restarted or at least feature a singer that can)

Singers: They have obligations, perhaps even more than the host. They are the ones carrying the show and have to produce for a successful show.

Size of rotation: My most successful shows have been with rotations of 15 or less. (I like a ratio of one singer per 10 listeners)

Fill dance music: This has been the most argued subject on this forum . The most vehement have been hard core singers and successful hosts with many years of experience are knotheads and their opinions do not count.( Selection of fill music tailored for the crowds are the most important factor of all. Dance works in some venues others that have a basic karaoke only format it doesnt)


So what is the big secret??????

I do not present every singer as a rock star and demand applause nor do I expect every singer to nail it every time. In fact I encourage them to try different versions and new songs. I teach them mic tecniques or ways to move on the stage to hear what they need to adjust for their best. I teach them to relax and have fun.

Here is the most important secret. I Teach Them How To Turn On The Audience And Teach Them The Magic Of Entertainment. I Give Them A Music Lesson And Teach Them The Real Purpose Of Singing And How To Showcase Their Talents Beyonde Singing. I Show Them What a Real Rock Star Feels And What It Feels Like To Totally Connect With The Audience Without Singing Talent I Teach Them To Sing From The Heart And To Hell With What People Think. If They Make One Person Smile They Have Accomplished Their Goal.

The result is you have a very receptive audience that gets in a party mood and spends money. You wind up with a group of singers that dont care if they sing every round or isnt stting there counting the number singers before them WHY??? It is because they are not in an endless search to find that one ultimate time when everything is all there. They know how to do it and dont require it all the time but when they get the urge evrybody feels it and the audience and other singers go nuts and are proud of them. Then the magic is there most of the time and people do not need a perfect system or perfect rotaion or any of the other things argued about here. I just hope some here understand now why shoes they dont think should work are thriving. Next time forget your criteria and see what people are doing.

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Karyoker said a mouthful!

Specifically, what he said makes me think of this guy Kevin Skinner on America's Got Talent. He isn't the world's best singer by any means but he has mesmerized audiences with his performances.

Yet, I am sure there are those wondering how he ever made it to the finals!

In a one horse town on a long lonely road with only rattlesnakes and scorpions, the one speaker KJ without any serious KJ competion could thrive because ..

In the real world with serious competition at every bar around every corner, good sound can make or break you.

I would rather be the KJ known for great sound. I have a reputation that i am very proud of. It gets me steady work. Along with other things i do that most KJs can't or won't do.

If you want to believe that your sound doesn't matter go ahead. I firmly believe it does.

That is one of the major problems with only being able to read the words without hearing how they are being said and with what vocal inflections. There are too many overly sensative personalitys always looking for something to be a personal attack against them.

Relax and lighten up some. Not everyone can type 85 words a minute so using less words to make a point isn't a crime sometimes is necessary to be able to post more than once a day. Plus with my typos and spelling mysteaks it's not easy.

So if you don't mind sharing, what does your system consist of? Makes.Models? Or is this a trade secret for you?

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According to some of us, it isn't ALWAYS and ONLY about the singer's and how GOOD they sound!

And for those who believe it isn't primarily about the sound of the singers and that other elements are just as important or even more important in putting on a good show, then the sound system is not the critical element in producing an enjoyable, satisfying and financially successful show.

And if I am correct that the sound system is not the critical element, then a KJ who can do nothing more than harp about the propriety of their rotation and the quality of their equipment has nothing to offer those attending their shows who are unconcerned about the equipment or find it to be of lesser importance.

And if a KJ attracts only those looking for a good sound system, I'll take whoever is left that doesn't concentrate on the sound because they must be more interested in having a good time. And that group, I believe, describes most of the karaoke singing public! And it is that group that I most enjoy at my shows!

But its NOT my show.Read the above post. Its UNPROFESSIONAL to walk up on another KJ's show and change the settings.....no matter HOW bad it sounds...(just makes my Friday nights sound better..... )

This post came from another thread but also relates to the question being discussed here. I moved it here because I felt my response would have more significance on this thread!!!!!



You, madame, are not the final say as to what it takes to put on a quality show. And I don't believe that the quality of the equipment determines the quality of the show. No two KJ's are likely to have the same equipment and enough people have posted herein about differing opinions as to what actually sounds good.

I, furthermore, am not working as a KJ to facilitate the aspirations of some local Yahoo who thinks that singing karaoke at my show will help them get discovered.

I could go on, but I'll end by saying that your opinion is not the "be all to end all" and even if you're opinion is right for your world, you make no sense in mine!

Ah - I misread it as you not altering his settings on Fridays and the occasional Saturday when you ran the show. I wouldn't think of actually jumping up and changing the settings on him during his show either. That's why I carry earplugs

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Well, Kevin Skinner just won $1,000,000 and the opportunity to headline at Planet Hollywood in Vegas.

Did he have the best voice of all the singers on the show? Did he have the best voice heard throughout all of the talent competitions held this year?

My point? YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST SOUND TO BE THE MOST ENTERTAINING AND FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY YOUR SHOW!

There really is alot of truth that what works in one city will bomb in another. Last time I checked San Antonio was in the top 10 largest cities in America and a one speaker KJ was doing a thriving business. Majority of his clients are tourists who are just cutting loose on vacation and may never come back again anyways.

Running a tight show with a great sounding system will always help but it's not a guarantee of success. There is another show I go to sometimes that caters to a country crowd, great system and great song selection, KJ is good, but I just don't want to hear country all night.

An that is why you must censor yourself and post with care. Stop. Look at your words and see how they may be interpreted by others. If you are honest and find it MAY be insulting to someone, STOP. Rewrite or DON'T write. USE SELF CONTROL.
All of us have made that same mistake at one time or another, and we will again, I'm sure, as I have and do, but we learn from it and TRY OUR BEST to avoid doing it again.
That seems to be a major difference with you. You just don't bother to try, and then come up with that cockamamie excuse that your vocal inflection is missing and so you're being interpreted wrong. Give me a break!


Well, you clearly have no problem posting "more than once a day" as shown on another thread on here, and I daresay you have gone overboard as of late. You would do well to slow down and think more about what you post.
It's not the quantity, but the quality that counts here.
You're sorely lacking one of them.

I completely agree with Diafel. Quality over quantity posts.

I think we ALL have our moments where our posts aren't the most thought out and usually when we've offended someone unintentially, we apologise. Then we try not to repeat it.

There's a deep respect that develops after awhile from everyone here towards each other as we realise the knowledge and strengths of others are different or may outweigh our own.

The ones that resist the respect and affections of others don't last long.

I try not to post much anymore after i've done a show, as i'm usually wound up and looking for a place to vent or a person to vent on. I don't drink but my shows get pretty stressful as i struggle to entertain international tourists and create a united nations party fest enjoyed by all. I have learned my vents hurt others and that's not the kind of person i really am. I am peaceful by nature and am very compassionate.

Angel, i do believe you have much to add to this forum. If you changed your approach and started embracing the differences and respecting the wiser ones here, you would do yourself, newbies, and others well by sharing your experiences without controvery.

I talked to one of my very talented singers tonight about the contest winner. He claims the guy sucks and the only reason he won was for a sympathy vote because of some bad experience like being laid off or out of work. How many sell out crowds are going to be there to see someone that can't sing? Will you pay good money to hear him suck live? The other winner isn't that good either but just happens to be a cancer survivor.

I can't wait to lose my job and get terminal so my luck will change.

It's same problem with karaoke contests. It turns into everything but being about singing. Most bkaraoke shows are only half about karaoke and the rest is anyones guess as to the other half. Guitars and cadillacs and hillbilly music what about the singers?

I could host a succesful show on a deserted island.

I suspect there are people on this forum who wish you would....

I saw that coming.

Angel now I know you aren't thinking before typing. Oh my gosh -

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