Karaoke Forums

My idea is to use a Laptop PC, and a simple outboard sound card with a microphone. I actually have already purchased a set of wireless mics that got decent reviews. I am excited about getting it going. I want to get somewhat into my rig, I don't know all about how to do it all, but I know that I want to learn and i want my setup to be ready for me to grow.

So I am coming here to hopefully find what is going to work best for my budget and convenience. Right off the bat, I notice that there seems to be no software application that does it all. Meaning...something that plays the karaoke songs back and hosts the microphone with level controls. In addition, one would think that at least one all-in-one package would exist that could do that, and have some control over a little reverb and delay if not more. So the first thing I am hoping for is that I am wrong!

Aside from that, the only way I can see to go is to use my Sonar software in conjunction with any one of the various players out there (paid or free) to pull it off. But I find that kind of a hack for something that should clearly be available as an all-in-one so if it exists..lemmie know. Thanks.

There is an entire "sticky" thread of this subject.

Go here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22248

I read it and it does not have my answer. Links to every piece of software are all over Google. I am trying to come here to get some answers from people who know something about Karaoke software and can make recommendation based on my three simple criteria listed in this post. Have I come to the wrong place?

You have come to the right place. Thank you for reading the sticky thread, as so many do not.

There have been a couple of people here that have used software mixers, but even they are using a separate program to play the karaoke files. I am not aware of any vendor that provides an all in one solution. Most here use outboard mixers and effects for better/easier control.

Well there are ways to pull it off, but it will take several pieces of software. Only one of our regulars here could help you except he's no longer here. I believe the program he used was Reaper, it runs like $225 for the full version. Then you would need your karaoke software. I THINK you need some sort of external intereface but not sure.

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Okay....that makes sense. Yes, I also do sound mixing and recording as my other hobby. I was able to fire up Sonar (a multi tracking, mixing, mastering solution) add a track to a project, engage to recording and auditioning of the track then minimize it and leave it in the background. Then I can use anything from JustKaraoke to WinCDG 3.0 to get the rest of the job done. It would just seem a glaring need for this undustry to have an all-in-one solution with the AISO drivers and mic hosting with effects in the same application and control surface.

That's okay though, i just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing it all the hard way.

I don't know how many would really be interested in this unless the sound quality met or exceeded their current production gear. I personally don't want to rely on a computer for everything for a show at least, maybe for home use i'd like it.

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

I see your point.

I am just noticing the true amount of resources something like this really needs, and it really is not much. I have a heavy application open like Sonar just for the Mic Enable, noise gate, reverb and light delay effects, and WinCDG 3.0 running pretty nice with 'virtually' no latency (~2-5ms). I can understand the different tastes. I would also love the security that outboard gear gives, but it's not in my budget. An all-in-one solution would work, it just, surprisingly enough, has not been done.

The problem is that to run any kind of a karaoke show, even a home one, you still need the functions of live sound. If you have a PA system -- I'm assuming you don't want to blow your home theater by playing live vocals through it -- then you typically need a line-level output to drive it. Add in the normal effects function, monitor function, eq function, and the need to do all that in real time, a software interface is not well-suited for it. A mixer that does that on a basic level is less than $200.00, and a gig-ready one is less than $350.00.

Basically the market that includes very tech-savvy people who want to avoid a few dollars in hardware cost is miniscule. The lack of software targeting it would seem to bear that assessment out.

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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.

I have an outboard sound card made for tracking vocals, guitar, etc and that connects to two monitors. So it will work okay, I have actually test drove it and it works just as good as when I set my rig up to track vocals for vocal tracking sessions.

I am sure I don't know the karaoke market, but I think the complicated setups ward some away. I really do not mind myself. I am just doing the home setup for now so hopefully I can sustain this until get outboard gear if that ever happens. I will use Sonar Producer as my mixer for now.