Karaoke Forums

hehe - not what you're thinking ! --

Just read an article on how nowadays it's better to keep your mp3+g files UNZIPPED. Zipping it advised does not really save that MUCH space but does slow down most hosting programs that have to unzip before playing.

Q1- What do you think ?
Q2 - When mp3+g files are UNZIPPED can you use an AUTO GAIN program to equalize the volume of all your tracks? ( mp3 parts)

Interesting.

Do you have a link to the article? I would like to read it.

Slow down? Not appreciably, as unzipping an 8M file takes about 200msec on even a slow laptop.

As far as auto-gain, I wasn't aware that there were any real-time programs for that. I am aware of the type that takes many seconds to do it, and allows you to write it to a new file. But nothing that does it on a file as it is played.

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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.

There was a real time program that did it (can't remember what it was now), although it did have just enough of a lag to throw the swipes off for karaoke, if just for music, it did really well.

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Here is the link to the article I read -- the part about zipped files is towards the bottonm:

http://www.latshawsystems.com/Info_PCDJs.aspx


The GAIN program wouldn't be on the fly - was just curious if a program like MP3gain works when there are the graphics files in the same folder ( maybe a dumb question --but had to ask )

Yes, if they are unzipped MP3Gain will work on th mp3 files...does not affect the graphics file OR the playiing of the karaoke track.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Well I started reading the link.

I didn't agree with the overheating.
Video chips are heatsinked and the CPU fan is not required all the time.
The designers have looked closely at that one.
They only seem to overheat when the vents have been blocked
or there is a build up of dust stopping the CPU fan from being of any use.
(The CPU fan cools both the CPU and Video heatsinks.)

Then when he said how Windows 7 is a favourite I threw up and lost the page.

Hi Jam,
I have posted about a program that will normalize on the fly. It is called "Breakaway" http://www.claessonedwards.com/index.ph ... Itemid=135. I have been using it for almost 2 years. It does an amazing job of making the volume levels of all songs sound the same. Like anything you cannot set and forget, but you can definately set it and relax knowing that the next song is not going to be way too loud or too quiet.

Lon mentioned that it caused some lag, but I have been using it with Karma and have never had that problem.

Mmarog

Jerry, I wrote to Latshaw about my new MSI I5 laptop with Win7 32 bit locking up during my show. Latshaw's response was "laptops are not designed to operate under the constant stresses that a karaoke show requires" , "my advise is to purchase a rack unit or a desk top unit". Further suggesting "the reason for the lock ups is overheating".

Well, I decided to try an experiment and remove my hard drive cover from the bottom of my laptop....no lock up!!! The surface that my laptop sits on is perferated so it breaths quite well from the bottom, but still must be getting too hot. Yesterday I purchased a Targus 17" tilted cooler and ran the show (still hard drive cover removed), and for 2 shows in a row no lock up!!!!!! My stress level is greatly reduced knowing that I will have virtually no more sudden stops in my show.

Moral of the story is "maybe Latshaw does know what they are talking about"

Mrmarog

It would be good at this point to check your CPU fan and heat sink for a dust build
up.
It is the most common overheating problem.
A paint brush will remove it.
I actually do this at least once a week to resolve a problem.
Since your system is new
I know they make laptop fan trays that sit under the laptop.
The CPU is the main thing to cool, The Video and SATA hard drive both need cooling.
Forget about audio.
A fan rack sounds a good option for you. The Targus seems good.

I work with laptops daily on a hardware level.
I will get you sorted with this.
As far as windows 7 goes I have a problem.
Think I would rather jump off a 39 storey building than use it.

.

Hmmm. Has anyone else had a problem ?
I simply do not agree.

The only computer to crash or not work for me has been a rackmounted computer. I have had zero problems with laptops overheating on me or programs crashing since I made the move over to laptop.

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

Karma uses a lot of resoures to operate with dual video. My I5 MSI 17" 512MB dedicated video, 7200 rpm 500GB HD, Win7 32 bit, and a performane rating of 5.9, runs at 35 to 55 % CPU endlessly. I have a clean install with 80% of all services disabled. My laptop basically only does 2 things play Karaoke and connect to the internet. Heat certainly could be an issue. I know that there are karaoke programs out there that use much less cpu , AutoKDj for one, but I like Karma ALOT, and I will figure out how to make it run flawlessly, that is my goal.

Mrmarog

But in reply to the original issue, the idea that unzipping an 8M file every 4 minutes could appreciably add to the heat dissapation is ludicrous.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.