Karaoke Forums

We use a speaker stand for the monitor. I have a wall mount bracket like this one from Best Buy (two rails are attached to the back of the monitor):


I added a couple of lighting clamps to the plate portion, which allows for attaching to the speaker stand. This particular wall mount bracket has two spring loaded quick releases. Monitor simply snaps in place and at the end of the night you pull the releases and lift it off. Here is the plate portion with the clamps attached.

I consider it a necessity and like others here I try to always have it behind the singer. I have gotten many good comments at my present venue as the previous KJ never used one. I even noitced the owner was suprised the 1st night I played there and had his logo in the background and drink specials scrolling on the marque. I do notice most of the audience watching the word swipes and singing or lip syncing along with the song.

For ease of set up, I have two monitors. One is 19" and one is 20". One for the singer, other facing the audience right in front of the singer monitor.

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

I just received word that the Digital Jukebox that is mounted on the wall, and on which I put the monitor that faces the audience, will be coming down in a few weeks. I am going to look at the wall to see if it is possible to mount a large flat panel high on the wall. let them use it during the week for sports or whatever, then I use it on w/e for karaoke.

That will be a nice improvement since the current screen I have facing the audience is only 19". People further back can't read or can't see because of obstructions.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Johnny, do you have a problem with "old people" ? Hey dude, we were here before you.

Back to the subject:

When I tried to hook into the house TVs, I'd get a terrible hum. When I disconnected the video wire, the hum stopped. I could never find the source to solve the problem. So, I bought a 32" flat panel and hung it from the ceiling about 20' in front and above the singer, then I bought a 49" flat panel and set it behind and above the singer for the audience to see the words. Both a very worthwhile expense.

And Johnny, most of my fat ugly singers usually stand BEHIND the mic stand so you don't really see them. (Joke)

_________________
My first choice IS Sound Choice.

Thanks for the reply. An excellent and very clever solution.

_________________
Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

My $.02...

I use them if the bar/ club has them, otherwise I don't worry about it. I'm what someone earlier referred to as a "cheap" KJ. Anything that's not an absolute necessity I do without. With constantly purchasing new music and replacing worn out/ busted equipment my profit margins are slim enough without dumping another $200-300 for a decent-sized monitor and stand.

That said, the gigs I DO work with a house monitor, the audience is, without fail, always more engaged. Worked a sports bar a few years back that had 22 TV's showing the game, but 90% of the eyes were on the house karaoke monitor.

People definitely like to read/ sing along, and in some cases has encouraged them to take the stage, though these are very few and far between.

I think a gig without one doesn't really miss it, but if you can plug into a house TV you definitely should. But, imo, I don't think it's worth buying a bunch of stuff you're not going to use every night.

_________________
Terry O'ke--- Fake Music for Real People.

I don't consider an audience monitor as either a luxury or a necessity... but, for all those positive things mentioned above, I do think they are a darn good business practice by both the host and venue.

_________________
Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

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

I might not be the best one to poll, since I don't have much experience with karaoke. My best guess though, would be that the solution of having a monitor visible to the audience in the general vicinity of the singer, might be a good thing. I would think that anything else would be pretty distracting.

Just don't ever, EVER plug into the house TV during the big game.

Did it during a Phillies playoff game one night and a basket of fries went sailing past my head.

Good times...

_________________
Terry O'ke--- Fake Music for Real People.

No always wait until after a game is over before switching it! I usually has everything prewired with A/B switches on the tv's I would be using and just leave them there.

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

I wouldn't say it's an absolute necessity to have a TV available for the audience, but it sure does add to the show and is a nice plus for others to follow the lyrics and like @Lonman said having the next few singers visible at all times. Saves the "When am I up" question...

As I have yet to be able to get all the working parts I need to tie into a house TV since I went digital, I can only assume having the queue up on the screen is pretty helpful.

Except, my shows generally get in the range of 18-20 singers. Naturally, making a new singer wait 20 songs for their turn in unacceptable (at least to me), so new people always get put nearer the top of the queue, so I am constantly shuffling the queue throughout the night.

I can already hear the others bitching that, "Hey man, I was 3 songs away now I'm 4! What the hell, dude?"

But karaoke singers aren't happy unless they have something to complain about, so if it wasn't that it'd be something else.

But my very, very favorite is when a drunk patron comes up, completely destroys a perfectly good song, then accuses me of making them sound bad. That's the BEST!

"Yes, you're right, miss... I just noticed I have the SUCK button turned up to 11. My apologies."

_________________
Terry O'ke--- Fake Music for Real People.

??? What mixer do you have? My suck button only goes to ten!

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

Special order.

_________________
Terry O'ke--- Fake Music for Real People.

The trick to that is any new singer comes after the 3 that are showing on the screen - period. I also am constantly adding new singers through the night and do the same as you with inserting them into the current rounds.

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

Definately, as Lonman pointed out, even though I have the ability to show more of the rotation on the scrolling marquee, I only show the "now performing", and the next 3 singers. This allows me to add "new" singers into the rotation, without EVERYONE having a hissy fit, since I'm the only one who sees the "complete" rotation.

Srnitynow

I have zero rotation visible to any singers because it has caused too many whining divas when I bump in a new singer, etc. It amazes me how tinkled these folks get. (usually the worst singers)
It's funny how they don't recall me explaining my rotation over the mic every hour or so but they know exactly when they are up to murder their next song:)

_________________
Sound Choice and Chartbuster Certified

I do the same thing Lon does. I just don't insert new singers into the "Visible Queue Line", ie: the number of "up next" people displayed.

That generally means that a new singer goes in at #4 as 1,2 & 3 are on the Compuhost scroll.

same here, but i have the next 5 showing. new singer has about 20 mins to get a drink and get settled. once a name is one the scrolling message, it doesnt move.

_________________
Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens