Karaoke Forums

I have decided to begin my own karaoke show. However, I do need to start in an inexpensive way and build on what I can do.

I have become aware of Chartbuster's KJ/DJ Access Pass which gives access to a commercial KJ Host to their 12,000 song library for only $19.99 a month.

http://www.chartbusterkaraoke.com/kjams ... ccess.html

I want to start with this because I want to see if my endeavor will be successful before pulling the trigger and spending $6,500 to buy the Chartbuster 12,000 Digital+HD and Sound Choice's GEM Series.

I wanted to ask if anyone here has used the streaming service from Chartbuster using the KJams software and what their experience has been.

Any input, other than internet connection problems due to the I.P., would be most welcomed!

Thank you.

I haven't used this but, other than song selections (which may or may not be an issue depending on your crowd), I'm not sure what issues there could be that don't involve connection failures.

We use it, have been using it, and love it. Another awesome feature is the ijams app. Any member of your audience with an wifi able "iPad, phone, pod" etc. can get it. Or, if you have tech savvy people out there you can show them how to use any smart phone as well.

I am glad you are able to use the streaming service. I do have a question. If you purchase the KJMPHD do you reliaze you will not initally spend $6500 for your music? You only pay for and can keep the music you unlock (without being on line). The HD initial purchase is $199 and $179 for Comphost (required to unlock the songs) but afterwords you can use any software you wish to play the track. I would much prefer to have the track permantly than have to rely on the streaming and then the streaming be down for any unknow reason.

_________________
No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

With all the chaos around Chartbuster closing, has this effected the streaming service?

The webpage is still accessible.

http://www.chartbusterkaraoke.com/streaming

rumor has it the streaming service will be for HOME USE ONLY

Blessings
Athena

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

For some people.......the bar is Home......

Johnny....HaHaHaHa so true....... but rumor has it that the steaming service will state NOT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE...Guess we will have to see

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

So, if I understand correctly, there was no such restriction on the streaming service previously? Is this another one of those "rule changes" that serve to benefit only the entity doing the suing?

Next thing you know they'll sue you for actually using their discs, SD cards and hard drives saying that they changed the rules and they are no longer "for commercial use" unless you pay a yearly licensing fee.

Actually, there are two grades of streaming, now. One is $9.99 a month for home use, and one is $19.99 a month for commercial use. I wouldn't use it, anyway. You never know when you will lose connection to the web.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I would use a streaming service as long as I could hard wire into the system. I would not want to use WiFi to connect to a Venue or use a Hotspot device. Since most venues that offer WiFi, have to be wired in, it is a simple enough thing to run a cable to where a computer would be. I am considering doing exactly that for the venue I am at now so I can provide live social media updates.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Well, that you can do with WiFi. You don't need to be wired just to connect to the I-Net.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

True, buut I am planning other activities as well, and I am anticipating that streaming services will become the norm vs the exception in relatively short time. Just planning ahead.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

[quote="Second City Song"]With all the chaos around Chartbuster closing, has this effected the streaming service?

The webpage is still accessible.

http://www.chartbusterkaraoke.com/streaming[/quote]

Thanks so much for posting the Chartbuster Karaoke streaming service link! I had been going in through the button on their home page. Duh.

@ Chris, I too believe this is where its headed. We have been using a streaming service for a while now in conjunction with our 1:1. While its been WiFi based you have me now thinking of hard wiring it in for a more stable connection While the experience has been more positive than negative for us (on the KJ end of things) I can say that the customers who chose to interact with the service enjoy it quite a bit. It's something no other KJ in our area offers at this time. Keeping ahead of the curve is key, and I plan on WiFi & digital for the future.....and Beyond!

so let me ask you this:
if karaoke tracks were only available to you via a streaming service – that you had to pay a yearly fee for – would you feel comfortable maintaining a business that way?

Your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't do that. The main reason I wouldn't do that is because I would not like to leave all of the control in someone else's hands. Remember the old saying "out of house – out of control." I would always want to know if the Internet went down I would still be able to operate. I have a generator so if there is no electricity available – I can supply my own.

I always want to remain self-sufficient and not dependent on anyone else – for any reason.

What about Internet outages? You can't supply that on your own. It doesn't happen too often, but I venture to say my home internet connection goes down for 5-30 minutes at a time about 2-3 times a month. That would be disasterous for a karaoke show. We even had a 3 hour outage a few months ago that our cable internet provider issued a bill credit for. What would you do with no Internet for your streaming karaoke on a Saturday night in prime time for 3 hours?

Also, if the power went out at my venue, they certainly wouldn't expect me to keep the karaoke going in the dark, so I'm not sure having a generator is really necessary. It would be a logistical issue for me even to power my equipment along with the cable modem in the business office on the other side of the room.

Anyway, not to rain on your parade, I just think relying on streaming karaoke as a professional is VERY iffy. 10 years from now when everyone has gigabit Internet, maybe, but now it's a roll of the dice at best.

You ARE depending on quite a few factors beyond your control to work 100% of the time, and history shows that to be a false assumption.

It's more like 98% of the time it'll work fine, but that 2% will ruin you. That's the reality.

_________________
C Mc
KJ, FL

Your concerns are why I said I use the streaming service in conjunction with my 1:1. It's a great way to offer music that I currently do not own yet. I do not and would not rely on it solely. I have separate song books for streaming WITH my 1:1 in it, and just music I own printed as well. Great addition IMO

I think it would be a great way to ensure you didn't lose someone to not having their song plus if a song kept getting requested you would know to buy it. But I don't see total streaming shows coming in for a bit and I think there are still enough "old" hosts out there that they will feel more comfortable having more control over what constitutes the backbone of the show.

Now it might be a good option for a Smooth type person who is just starting out if he is in a good internet area.

No, I am not interested in streaming karaoke. Too many things can go wrong. At home, I control my internet connection, to a certain extent. i can do maintenance to keep it up and running. At a venue, I have no control of their connection, and don't know what equipment they use. If it goes down during a show, poof there goes the show.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE