Karaoke Forums

I'm running into more and more singers that bring in their own discs and are too lazy to look in the book to see if the KJ already has that song and version in their state of the art computer system. They just bring up their unlabeled obviously duplicated disc with a slip that reads their name and track number. It would be nice if they filled out the slip completely so the KJ knew what song they are singing. If more and more singers bring in their owns discs I would think this practice will eventually lead to the average karaoke host to either stop buying discs or just stop going to host shows as often because the singer refuses to let that KJ play their own songs they have in their state of the art computer system. A lot of people seem to be losing interest in hosting karaoke shows

Around here anyway and maybe it's because the disc carrying singers are turning away good hosts with their inability or their choice to not allow the KJ to use his or her own mp3+g library. These singers come in two forms. One is the guy or gal who bought a disc from Walmart a year or two ago and hasn't bought a new disc or sang a new song since. If you do show them your vast updated computerized library, they ask you to copy it for them.

The other sort of singer is the one who makes their own karaoke tracks using backing tracks that they purchase from various on line sources. KJ’s run professional shows and don’t want some hack attempt at recording coming over their pro audio set up sounding like crap.
I mean no one in the audience knows it’s someone’s elses mistake right ?????
The disc SKIPS and all eyes turn toward the KJ …. OOPS

I spend too much time buying and organizing my digital files and tweaking my sound system to just start playing a singers scratched, worn or poorly recorded version of some make shift karaoke song. I have thousand of professional karaoke tracks purchased from reputable karaoke manufacturers that cost thousands of dollars to put together. My show is an extension of me and I can’t leave that up to some SINGERS burnt disc.

You want to sing from YOUR OWN DISC ONLY? Good STAY HOME in you BASEMENT

Problem is that many computerized hosts (that i've experienced around here) do not list manufacturer info, they just list a number with no indication of which manufacturer or no number at all & just list the titles/artists - often being brands that I don't personally care for or am not used to - most times this is not an issue, but has been at times. People bringing in their own disc is sure of what they are singing (usually) and know that particular version - be it better or worse than what a host already has - I say let them have their time with their music if they prefer, it's not about me IMO!
I haven't ran into any really 'poorly' recorded tracks to date, yes on occasion will get one that skips but let everyone know that the singers disc is what was the problem and not my own tracks.
I don't know, I encourage & support people bringing in their own discs - never had a problem with it. If it is a disc that others show interest in or say something like 'I didn't know you had that', then I will most likely pick it up to add to my own. Also I have seen discs - same number/manu that have been re-released somehow to either fix bad timing swipes or some variation in the recording itself that my version may not have - although this is rare.

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I don't know about anyone else's make shift karaoke tracks but I have been told that mine look and sound as good as anything put out by most karaoke manufacturers. The ones I make by removing the vocals from an original recording may not sound as good as the ones where I can purchase a professionally created backing track but I've received compliments on them as well. I've been to many computerized shows where their digital tracks have graffiti all over the screen and many of them skip as well. LOL Garbage in. Garbage out.

I have a song on the Singers Showcase right now that I made from a legally purchased backing track that a friend of mine asked me to make into a CD+G file for him. It's an old country song called "The Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" by John Prine. If you would like to check out the graphics of the track, Jam; I could send you a copy of it to check out....as long as you promise to delete the file after you see for yourself that it would pass muster for one of your great shows......Oh that's right, I think I remember you saying that you don't have any shows at this time, right? Maybe because the singers who like to sing from their own discs are going to other shows where the KJ appreciate's their patronage????

I find the only people bringing their disks are those that are new to our show or when we start a new gig. Anytime they hand me a disk I immediately check the brand. If I have it I politely let them know I have the exact brand and hand them back their disk. Telling them "that way you don't have to worry about anything happening to it".. as these people become "regs" they no longer feel the need to bring their own and if they have become regulars we will get whatever we don't have for them....within reason. Haven't had but one or two custom songs yet though. I know the KIAA says don't play em but I don't feel I'm in a position to question the legality of a customers personal (read copied) CD . The weeken show we just picked up they are still getting used to the idea that we have it already compared to previous KJ that had limited selection

I AGREE 100%..if you want to sing from your own disc stay home!!!!!

Lonnie, it's not only computer shows that don't show the mans but many disc based ones also. Discs are always welcome to our shows. We are there for the singers not our egos.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I ALWAYS bring my own discs to any show. I stopped going to one place because their replacement player won't play my burnt discs. When the owner asked me why I don't frequent his pub anymore I told him why. I have a choice of not going to a place; I have a choice of where I want to sing and that choice is very dependent on if they can play my disc/usb pendrive.
It is a bad attitude to tell singer who bring their own disc to stay home.

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

I have to pack up my rig every night, and for the one disk request in 120 shows, it is just not worth it.

For all my regulars I put in a good effort to get song requests, ususally relatively quickly, they know that and none of my regulars has ever gone out to buy their own disks, and for my weekly shows it is usually 80%+ regulars (5+ times at the show).

An additional disk player and associated wires is just not worth the effort. Most of my singers would also agree it is not worth the 1 minute delay it would take to set up additional equipment before the singing can start.

I just don't get it. When we went to karaoke a minium of two nights a week at the same place and then tried out every other place we could fit in on the off nights acquiring a song collection was part of the fun. I like to find songs no one else sings. Why can't I if that is fun for me? Why should a host have to buy a song that only I sing? Why can't karaoke be fun? Why can't karaoke be about singers singing versions that they are comfortable with because that adds to their fun? Why can't we have fun? Why can't we have fun? What is the problem here?

When I see someone bringing their own discs to our show I am glad because it means they are a karaoke fanatic and I want their business. They have probably even practiced and will try to do a decent job. That is the other reason people buy their own discs--so they can practice. Why can't we practice? Why can't we have fun? I don't get the issue here.

Give me a break. A whole minute? Get there a minute earlier then. If you get one person in drinking all night who bring their disc, that's extra money for the venue and you are offering the service that is desired by that one person.

That one person will tell 5 or 10 people. Make them mad and they will tell 50 to 100 to stay away.

Now what is worth it?

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Kevin

Oh that's silly. Mine's in my rack. The amount of set up time? Exactly 0 seconds. It's already wired and ready to go via the a/b switch.

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

BFFL

#1 - I still have a show
#2 - I'm not worried about keeping anybody happy but the the owner and manager
The owner and manager are happy because the majority of his customers enjoy the Karaoke and the Host -ME
#3 - I have in the past and will in the future play customer cdgs when the need arises for me to do so.

But I can tell you BFFL, the one thing KJ's have in common is the dislike for whiney singers like your self. I can understand your frustration with a show that won't play your homespun karaoke, but what I don't understand is your attitude towards these KJ's. If you like the show talk to them about your concern and see what can be done so you can sing your moonshine karaoke. Maybe you can give them a mp3+g version or they'll allow you to hook up your own player etc. You have more reasons you won't go back to most shows in your area its almost comical. And I know its your right not to ..But not all KJ's that use computers are pirates and not all KJ's who choose not to hook up a cdg player CHEAP. I'd bet most KJ's turn off the NEON KARAOKE sign when they see you pull into the parking lot. ( I know I would )

Lonnie
I agree that any BOOK today should list the disc MANUFACTURER . Singers are a lot more sophisticated and educated now compared to 10yrs ago and they know to choose the version they like ( if you have it). And if a Regular requests a certain version ..I'll try and get it ...simple

I'll say it again ...If your show has a clientele that brings in discs ...a KJ should have a player. But I don't see hooking one up for the occasional singer that may or may not show up in weeks. But thats just me

hmmmmm. Let me get this right ...YOU REMOVE VOCALS FROM ORIGINAL ARTISTS RECORDINGS AND CREATE AND ATTACH GRAPHICS FILES FOR YOUR USE AND THEN YOU ALSO MAKE SONGS FOR YOUR FRIENDS ? I'm no lawyer but I think your the one that is a PIRATE

1) A: The singer may be one of us few who can hear the difference between MP3 and CD- and doesn't like it. or...

B: The singer has been burned by one to many hosts who SAY the track is a popular version ( SC, DK, CB, or whatever) and ends up outright LYING, and playing some strange download version....



2) The singer practices at home with their favorite version, and may not agree with the host who chooses his/her versions due to "brand comfort" instead of actual quality. Example: a host chooses the SC version of Elvis's Devil In Disguise because it's SC, not knowing that this version is nowhere NEAR the original, and even Elvis himself couldn't sing it.... The "best" versions are the ones that CUSTOMERS prefer, not YOUR favorites..


3) Really? So customer satisfaction means nothing to you? Stay home and play KJ in YOUR basement.... It's a BUSINESS! Keeping customers satisfied keeps you paid. Hello?

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

One person, in 120 shows is not one person a night. Not even a regular.

I already get 30+ singers most weeknights, and more would certainly come if they could get more turns to sing and would not have to wait for an hour or two to do so (that is my most common complaint).

One minute a night is 1 extra song every 4 shows. Not being able to play CDs is one song every 120 shows (for me). Even that singer picked something from my book, and sang.

+1

What she said!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

+2

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Obviously you people missed the word PARODY in the title.

Yes -Karaoke is a business - The decision to play customer discs is a business decision that each KJ makes. The singers have a choice on which show they choose to frequent. Neither one of them is wrong in whatever they choose to do. Thats called FREEDOM of CHOICE. I despise the arrogance of the singers who walk into a show and complain about everything and decide that the KJ must be either CHEAP or a PIRATE or a LOUSY KJ just because they don't play discs, or don't offfer wireless mics or wired mics or personal monitors lighting etc. Yes there are some BAD KJ's and shows out there ..BUT HEY ..There are some over the top whiney singers too. (personally the later CAN STAY HOME as far as I'm concerned)

And give me a break --THERE IS NO SINGER THAT CAN TELL THE DIFFERANCE betweeh a cdg and an mp3+g in a bar setting. And if there is its a 1 in a million chance he'll be at your show. And good business sense tells me NOT TO WORRY about a 1 in a million chance.

EVERY SHOW has some sort of flaw --even if its only ITS TOO GOOD AND THE ROTATION TOO LONG. My point is in defense of KJ's who choose not to play customer cdgs for whatever reason. That fact only does not make your show INFERIOR to any KJ who does play customer cdgs.

So singers get with the times --if you want to sing your OWN version of songs why not put it on a thumb drive of sorts and TALK to your KJ about being able to play your songs ..you may be surprised how accomodating most digital KJ's can be.
Believe me most KJ's are not out to STEAL your songs . ( hint --they can do that anyway with a cdg!)