Karaoke Forums

I like to talk about what I use all the time. I share what I learn, not to brag, but in the hope that it will inspire other folks to try it (and possibly create things I can learn from)

Just curious, what are you using for tech that you think gives your show an edge or just makes life easier for you?

I use naked lady technology. I put messages like the next singers name over a picture like this www.freewebs.com/sacksonuts and it seems to get folks attention. I also use black and white versions on my flyer's.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Hot damn! How will we ever match a feature like that?

Just found this cool tool. I lost the FX window for my EMU patchmix. This brought it back.

http://www.compendiumdev.co.uk/forcedisplay/

The only really cool technology I use for Karaoke/DJ is my O1V digital mixer. Have 4-band fully parametric EQ's and dyamic processing (Comps, gates, limiters) on every input and output channel is extremely nice. I have four 1/4" outputs that are completely configurable. They can be direct outs, aux sends, bus outs or additional main mix outs. I've also got 2 built in multi-effects processors. The sends on faders feature is super cool (adjust the aux and EFX sends using faders rather than knobs) too. Finally the ability to save all configurations and recall them later is great. I have presets for channel EQ's, Dynamics Processing and EFX saved. Additionally I can save the entire configuration of the board for later recall which allows me to save a config for each venue I play in and each type of gig I might use it for (DJ, Karaoke, different small bands, etc). The O1V save me having to bring in my 12x10 Slant top rack with all the outboard equipment which weighed in at around 300lbs. The mixer in it's custom case weighs about 80llbs and has a nice dog house that I built for hiding all the cords.

Everything else I use is pretty standard stuff. We'll see though, if I get the iPad I'm dreamin on right now and a PreSonus StudioLive, then things might get a whole lot cooler with the remote control capabilities.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I want to play with an OV1 and this.

http://hexler.net/software/touchosc

Give your sliders and knobs that star trek tng look.

Tony I just noticed the ov1 got adat. You ever go 1820adat to ov1?

Toqer, ADAT is available on an option card, I don't have that option card. The option card I've got in mine is the 8 Channel in and out AES/EBU card. Right now I have a loopback adapter I built plugged into it. It lets me use the 8 channels as 4 stereo subgroups.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Caution.... the following is "tongue-in-cheek"


Cool new technology...??? I have this new thing called,


wait for it,,



a


white marker board!!!


I can't believe how many Karaoke shows I've attended where the host tries to keep track of the rotation by moving the request slips around on his/her console or table... and how often a slip gets misplaced or someone opens a door and the breeze blows them all over hell's half-acre...

Even though I also monitor the rotation on the laptop, the white board gives the singers/audience a visual reminder...

It's a great, hi-tech, $10 investment...

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

The coolest technology i've used at any of my shows in the last 5 years is quick set Jello for when I do my jello wrestling competitions.

The most recent one didn't use jello, though.. it was around thanksgiving and we had 'em dress up like pilgrims and indians and wrestle in instant mashed potatoes and canned gravy.

I don’t think this is still considered cool-tech as I‘ve been doing it for years.

I use a separate laptop for singers' rotation on MS Word, display extended to two 20” flat tv screens left & right facing the audience. Using AB switch; the A switch for their visual, & B when I type the names as I receive them so they don’t see what I’m typing or inserting.

Always 5 names listed at a time. One singer sings, scroll down to the next. Automatic numbering system that adjust accordingly. No need to type the numbers individually. Pretty much eliminated the “when am I gonna up” question.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

I just don't let anyone try to or tell me how to run my show. I just got a reg gig, as soon as it was official, I left a book for them and explained that they run the volume, and can ban songs but everything else related to my show is totally up to me. I did give out some of those weird shape rubber bands though, does that count?


Sorry, a bit off topic but as techie as I am (extremely) its all about mastering the basics to me!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Earl, if I didn't have software that keeps track of it for me, I would have a merry go round board so I could just keep moving it to the next spot.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

I remember when I was the first KJ in my area to use LCD screens for the lyrics monitor back in 2005. The thing I do now that I've never seen anywhere else is that I load animated dance GIFs into my CompuHost picture bank, and play dance animations appropriate to the filler songs I play. This really encourages dancing. There's even a REALLY popular club DJ here in town that asked me if he could use this same idea, though he plays his dance animations off a KORG sampler pad.

http://loopable.wordpress.com/2007/09/0 ... ance-loop/

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I use those on compuhost to entertain during the song instrumentals.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

I have this:
http://www.tc-helicon.com/products/voicetone-synth/

It does the "T-Pain" vocal effect that is on most of the new music that is coming out now. It does Distortion-Megaphone-Telephone-Robot voice effects also. I try to make my singers sound just like the original recorded versions and this helps to recreate those sounds. The "just turned 21" crowd loves it!

Kevin

I use Karma (not anything new) but it does keep track of the rotation - displays it on screen completely through the scroll. I use digital boards and digital effects/compression/etc. through the board which eliminates all outboard addons, makes for a very small foot print and easy setup.

Most recently I have switched all my filler and dance music over to music videos.

I can run Text live for my karaoke shows, people can send live text to the screens as well as request.


Next setup I want a digital video mixer to run multiple computers to one screen.

Virtual DJ handles Music Videos and Text Live, Karma runs Karaoke.
It would be best for me to run 3 computers for a show with 1 Music Video, 2 Karaoke, 3 Text Live and live camera feed. To do this I need a video mixer.


For the larger bars I'm going to offer Green Screen Karaoke where singers will sing infront of a green screen and it will broadcast on the TV's all around the bar.

I have 4 UHF wireless systems to place speakers anywhere needed in a bar.

Look at mxwendler
www.mxwendler.net

I use it to mix 2 live webcams. It also has some other fun features, like greenscreen, keystone editing, glshader effects.

not new technology, and I don't do it at karaoke, but you could adapt it to karaoke eaisly.


Using my projector......

I have used it at a few wedding receptions now have got it all tweaked out for some cool stuff.

First off, I bring my digital slr camera to receptions, and start taking pictures right away. After I get some good pics, I dump the camera onto a laptop that is hooked to the projector. Then the programs I have, auto ressizes and rotates the pictures, and plays it on the projector. At one wedding, I got some photos of the B&G during the wedding using a telephoto lens, and some more pics of the reception before I fired it up. The first comment was "COOL!!!!! Pictures of the wedding and reception at the reception!!!!!!"

I also use it to project videos wile DJing (aka VJing).

DJing is great, but throw a couple music video in the mix, and it adds the WOW factor.



This could be easily done at karaoke, eiter projection the singers screen/webcam/photos or any other video.

I just got this working.

http://hexler.net/software/touchosc

Made some instructions here.

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=76001

Now myself and the bartenders can control the mix from our phones.