Karaoke Forums

I have decided to go Computer for hosting my Karaoke shows and have read several postings on different programs and setups (portable, rackmount, or laptop) to run the programs. I have read opinions on MTU, Dotty & Sax, PCDJ...but am having a tough time deciphering the infromation that pertains to my needs. So I thought if I explain exactly what I'm looking for and my PC experience someone that has used one or more of these programs/setups could give me guidance. I'm average when it comes to operating a computer and I'm looking to aquire a program/setup that reduces the amount of time needed to setup and run my show. I would like it to be able to provide KJ/DJ music. What is the minimum I would need in a laptop (ram, hard drive...) Who or what would you recommend to a novice computer guy. Thanks

micbob, you have opened yourself wide up with this post. Let me be the first to reply, then it's over and done from my side and I can sit back and relax.

I run my shows using Hoster from MTU with the following computer setup.

2.4Mhz Pentium rackmount with 1024KB ram (I know it's more then MTU's minimum recommendation, but the ram is worth the money.
Video card with dual monitor capabilities, ATI RADEON
2 HDD's, each 120GB
Plextor CDR/W
For myself as KJ I have a 14" LCD display which fits in my console.

I also am runninh hoster, but on a rackmount 3.0 gig athalon proc. 1.5 gig ram, 4 250 gig harddrives, and a plextor 708a.

I could never go back to the old cdg days. I have tried a few other programs, and stuck with hoster.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

My system has evolved and been in constant change which is why I prefer a 2 unit rack mount. The case is shortened to about 16" to fit in a Gemini slant 10/6. I put a 'riser' on it to accomodate the pci boards. The cd drive is mounted in the top in a 1/3 with a nanocompressor and a gate. The mb is a 2gig with 500 mb ram and an Ati 7500 video board ( I switched to it for the dvi video out for a 17' lcd monitor). I have 2 power supplies in the computer case and use one to power the the lcd 12v@ 6a. Also in the case I've got an old transformer out of a Bi-amp mixer which I power 2 Alesis 3630 compressors. The second svga video is routed to a video conveter which has an adapter cable to run another svga monitor and has s-video and comp video out. The comp video out is routed back to a slot which I have an old rf converter which I modified and have 2 rf outs and 2 video outs. Yea I know it's video more than I need but I did say evolved Right? Ive also got a spare hard drive in a usb converter which I can hot plug during a show if needed. All in all it might seem clobbered up but I have designed and built many systems and it is a very impressive and professional setup.

My next project will be a case where the lcd will hinge up into position and have drawer for the keyboard and mouse. It will also be on rollers and have partitions for hauling the stage monitor or something... Maybe put the computer in this case when I run out room for the analogue audio stuff. Just some ideas for the ones just converting to to consider.....

OK, Let me start off by saying you guys sound like you got great setups but I think he was talking more about a laptop and something Basic and easy.
All you really need is a laptop with an ATI or Nvidia Graphics chip in it and an S-video out. You can always get external hard drives if you run out of hard drive space later on and any laptop you're going to find in a store today will have more than enough power to handle Karaoke (EXCEPT CELERON). I personally have an athlon laptop and it works great, easy to transport, and with my 60gig hard drive and 4000 songs I still have tons of room left. As Far as easy setup and use of software MTU is probably the best. Me being cheap and technically adept I went with the Sax n Dotty Hoster, but configuring winamp and the plugin can be a little tricky. Whatever you go with good luck.

I would DEFINATELY go for having an external USB hard drive...

Keep your regular OS hard drive clear of as much junk, and pull off the hard drive that's connected...

With newer USB connection kits (check newegg.com or outpost.com for those! Some as cheap as $40!!), you can hook upto 200GB!!

Why don't ya get a list of what everybody has in thier PC and go to a big pc super store or a place like it and see if ya can get one just like it in an AMD for $2K I saw some really big pc's that Normally I would have to pay nearly $4 to $5 K on the web for. At 2 major computer super stores this last week for half that... heck a Mac G5 is $1,800 - $2,200 retail now...


And I'm not joking.. Maybe Matt will build ya one... Just ask.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

many of the superstores will do it for ya!

NEWEGG.com has some terrific deals on hard drives. I just bought thre Western Digital 200GB drives for $102.00 EACH!

The USB conversion kit for a 3.5 drive is $40-$45 at outpost.com.

I'm pumped!!

Yup next thing Knightshow will have a mic plugged in his puter sayin "Cash Johnny Folsom Prison" and it will put it in the playlist.
No typi9ng..
Ive thought about it...

yep, and just found a site that has even better prices on the conversion cases!! $22!! WHOO HOO!

SO where is the $22 conversion cases located?

You guys have been great - just a note I had a double wedding gig this weekend at the same time - tried new software dssdj - it crashed on one show but did fine on the other - not happy with though - too much hands on to get the sound right

and as far as DJ karaoke, I personally feel that PCDJ-Red is the one worth having!! Never had a problem with that yet!

I only DJ every now and then, but my partner Tig... he used to do it for a living! And he turned me onto it!

Matt,
I highly agree there!!!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I own PCDJ & KJ - I must be an idjut cause I can't seem to figure them out so I went with a $35 sax n dotties - hasn't failed me yet for karaoke - still fighting for something easy to use and reliable for my DJing at Weddings though.

on PCKJ
ya gotta rip them to Mp3+g also.. quite a different ripper though.. but great graphics and neat tools.. I love it.. but really thinking about Mtu again or sax & dotties..

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Brian D.
(BHB)

FYI - I have a Sony Viao Laptop I was considering using for doing my show from. It doesn't have an S-Video out but it WILL let you select the VGA output to run a dual head system (with two monitors using different displays on each). I added a VGA->Composite video convertor (USB powered), set the second output to a low resolution (640x480/800x600) and tried it out. Started up Sax N Dotty, drug the CDG screen to the second monitor which showed up flawlessly on the TV. Cost for the adapter was about $70 at CompUSA.

FYI - To turn on 'dual head' on your laptop, right click the desktop, select properties, go to the tab marked 'Settings', right click on the second screen and check 'Attached'. Click on the second screen to make it the active selection and set the resolution for that monitor to something low enough for the adapter (1024x768 or lower for most of them) and wahlah! You just got your non-S-Video laptop to work for hosting. While S-Video may be a better option for some of the hosting software packages, it is acceptable for some of them if you're trying to use an existing laptop.

Now I just have to rip all those CD+G's, name and sort them.... arrrgghhhh!!!!

Ohhh no!!!

Dude... you're gonna hate me!

It's on Tigersurplus.com. I ordered like SIX of the suckers! !

This is a terrific site for surplus items. You can't always find what you want, but you often find LOTS of things you can use, or use later!

I got several conversion cases, cooling fans, rca cords, etc.ad nauseum!!

Had me worried for a minute!

But 99 cents for a S-Video -> Composite cable is a pretty good deal (Radio Shacked wants over $5 for the ADAPTER!)

I use one of those mini cubes - A Shuttle with dual head video ( comes with case). It was about $200 barebones on the net without a processor. I got a cheap 1.8 athlon ($50) and 512 ram on ebay. I run 3 - 120 HDs in it for all the songs (KJ and DJ). (One 300gig would be enough and lighter.) I have an extra fan and it has never overheated. I have this single use for this box - Music - and I use it at gigs and at home. I use a small flat LCD monitor. A laptop is easier to transport, but this was 1/3 the cost. The monitor is the biggest drawback compared to a laptop.
I run Sax and Dotty's. It is only $40 and works well. It has never crashed. There are fewer features than some of the KJ software like Hoster and PCKJ but hey they are pricy. There is suppose to be a S&D upgrade soon. It does songbooks.
This setup never failed me yet. Write me for more info.