Karaoke Forums

hi, why is it that when you ask a k j to turn up r down something it's like you asked him to draw blood, i don't for the life of me understand it, most k j these days not all just go out buy some cheap p a and pretend they know what there doing and that you the singer well you don't have a clue...i agree alot don't but i believe no, i know if you can't hear urself you can't sing...to me thats number 1. and it would be nice if what i heard i liked, as much as can be expected anyway...and everyones hearing and wants are different...i know a little about music and when i ask someone could they please do this are that and they pretend to do it by looking like there turning knows, that burns me up...JUST TURN THE COTTON PICKIN KNOB...that is his/her job right? i guess this is 1 of my biggest complaints, i can't her out of the monitor are that there isn't one...is it THAT much trouble to turn it up r down? ...i had 1 guy get mad at me saying WELL I CAN HEAR IT JUST FINE...i said yea thats great BUT ur not the one singing...he turned it up to where i thought my hears were bleeding and i just looked at him and smiled...most, here anyway never sit where they can hear the monitor anyway so how can they even tell?
ok that felt good...

... biting my tongue.

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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]

I'm tempted.........

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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!

If a singer says they can't hear themselves then it is time to jump. But I have actually had it happen where I get that complaint and am a bit puzzled because I have stood right next to them and they are coming through loud and clear. If a person has had a lot to drink then that sometimes plays tricks with their hearing. But I would agree that not being able to hear yourself spoils the fun.

Other reasons the host might not react as the singer wishes is because the host IS reacting and the singer is jumping the gun on complaining. Unless it is a regular, the singer usually has to get out at least one note before the host knows how loud they will sing so they can adjust it with the music. But I've had singers do one note and immediately turn to me and start barking orders when I am already turning the knobs.

If a singer is treating the host like some stupid servant then they are probably not going to get the best attitude back from the host although many will try their best to smile. But I will admit that I have also experienced hosts who's egos are offended by the slightest hint that they may not have done everything perfectly.

I have also met singers who's egos are offended if they haven't done everything perfectly and so they blame the host. I had one who the more I turned him up, the more he would pull the mic away or sing more softly until I about had him to feedback levels and there was nothing more I could do. Then he would tell people that hosts always turn him down and themselves up because they are jealous of his abilities. You get enough of that and it can make you a bit sensitive to people's criticisms. But in general, a valid and polite request should be met with courtesy and not an ego outburst--polite being a key word.

You're telling the KJ how to do their job, simply put.....if you don't like the way they run things, and you're not the owner or manager of the place, go somewhere else(not that I agree, but just what I found out works out for the best)......that's what I do, and if it's really the KJ, karaoke won't last at the venue..........ps.....have your hearing checked...

I've been to shows where the host turns down everything after every singer and then starts the singerrs off with next to NO volume and then slowly increases the volume as the singer is singing. That can get very frustrating after a few times on stage when it seems like you never have a hot mic when the song starts. There should be a default setting that a host uses at the beginning of a song that should be close to the average volume that most people sing well at...or at least at the volume that the host sets the microphone at when he or she is singing. Then, if you have to make an adjustment, it isn't a drastic one.

Granted, there are a lot of customers that can't hear themselves because they don't listen to the Host.

Example: Holding the mic a foot and a half from their mouth and the bitching that they can't hear themselves.

But, there are a lot of KJ's out there that just don't know what they're doing. Max is right. some of these people go out and buy a cheap system and a pirate drive (or a hundred discs or so) and call themselves a "Professional KJ"

When People like that go out and get a job at a venue, they give karaoke a bad name because they don't know what they're doing and the venue gets soured on karaoke making it hard for any real Karaoke host to get a job there later.

Most of these types don't know how to mix much less run the hosting software properly. I went to a show once where the KJ had the highs on the mics turned all the way down. he said the mics "Whistled" less, But of course everything sounded muddy this way.

Another one had both speakers. (15 inch Jensen's of all things) stacked one on top of the other sitting right behind the singer. he kept wondering why he was getting feedback.

I've even seen KJ's that don't adjust anything. they just set the levels on the first song and think they don't have to change anything throughout the night.

While there is the option to go somewhere else, it still irritates me to see these amateurs giving the business a bad name because they think that any monkey can do this job.

It Takes a good Ear, Knowledge of how to use your equipment properly, Patients , and some amount of wit.

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Sal "Kjmann" Esquivel
Karaoke With Sal - Website

My rule is "Give the singer the best singing experience they have EVER had". That includes plenty of floor monitor volume (or less if they want less). If the singers get what they want/need, that they don't get somewhere else, then they will flock to your shows. As we all know there are limits as to what we can give you in order to keep the dreaded "feedback" from occurring. With the right mics, floor monitor placement, and EQ techniques, we can probably honor your requests......that is if the host is willing to listen.

But the OP is right, there are some hosts out there who do not have a clue of what they are doing. In case of an incompetent host, try some place else, if possible.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

go for it Earl

You're telling the KJ how to do their job, simply put.....if you don't like the way they run things, and you're not the owner or manager of the place, go somewhere else)

Soooo rather then them turn a knob are a slidder i just leave...?

I have (luckily) never had that experience. It's not the patron's job to train the kj. If a reasonable request is made in a respectful way, a reasonable accomodation can usually be made. If I had a less than stellar experience after making a request, yes, I would leave. Why would you stay at a show that wasn't providing you a great experience? I would make a quick stop on the way out to speak with managment of the establishment about my experience and share the reason I would not be returning for karaoke night so long as that kj had the show. That's speaking from a reasonable, sober perspective.
I have, however, had an inexperienced kj try to adjust levels during a song and he accidentally trashed the levels. (Crazy loud feedback!) After the song, he apologized and said he was new to the venue and was still trying to work out the speaker placement. At least he was honest and apologized.

If you really could not hear yourself, perhaps a better option would have been to wait until after your first turn, when the KJ has a moment, (maybe when turning in your next song) and politely let them know that you couldn't hear yourself or whatever the problem you had was, and ask if there is anything they can do/you can do to change that. ( It might be them, but it might be you.).

If they don't care or get it then, I think the best option is just to go somewhere else. IF they're incompetent, they won't understand enough to do anything about it, and if they're just arrogant, they won't care.If they are a competent KJ, chances are if you approach your problem politely, will go out of their way to help you.

If this is a consistant problem......yes........if this was just once in great while........you wouldn't be posting this.....or would you?....

I do hope y'all realize that not all people hear the same! I am almost totally deaf in both ears and have to wear hearing aids in both ears, yet when I sing I can not seem to wear them as they sound a little hollow so I take them out and I need the monitor turned up to hear it as opposed to the person before me. Also if you have been sitting in the audience for a while with blasting speakers directed right at you, when you get behind them things sound different and the monitor not turned as loud as the mains so it sounds lower. Next time you might try being a little politer and turn it up a little for us hard to hear folks.

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

I agree with ggardein. Exactly the right move. Walk! Not saying you’re at fault here, could be both. I had my share of singers that are hard to please.

Most kj’s are passionate about what they do. If he hears from more than one singer that they can’t hear themselves, the kj will do his/her best to resolve the issue (at least I do & I will). They don’t appreciate the “do this, do that, adjust this, adjust that”. It’s their show. How would you like it if he asks where you work? Now, that makes you wonder why he’s asking. It’s because he will be there to tell you how to do your job & see how you like it.

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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 agree with everything that mrmarog says...

If this is a consistant problem......yes........if this was just once in great while........you wouldn't be posting this.....or would you?.... )

it's attitudes like that that i don't understand...
do your job, and your job is to make the person singing sound as good as you can...MY feelings are, i'll give you you the house let me atleast have a little control over the monitor...most of the time the singer is the only one that can hear it anyway...so where is the big deal of turning a knob, do you think i just ask him to turn the vocals are music up just to be talking?
yes i know there are good and bad reasons why you do and don't..1 being drunks. but if someone can't hear for 1 reason are the other, mine being having a band behind me for years blowed my ears out then where is the harm?
most people think that just because you can really sing that you must know more about sound/music then someone that gets up there thats not really that good...you don't have to be able to sing to be a soundman,
i can only speak about K J's around here but a lot think just because the bought some music equip. then there's now someone...
the... IT'S MY SHOW...the singers are THE SHOW your just playing music so they can make your show what it is..
to ME sound is number 1 if the sound is good i look forward to getting up to sing, if not then not so much..but once i do get up there atleast let me hear myself weather i suck are not....i go to a place every tuesday night they guy had decent equip. but the house is sooooooooooooooo loud that even when he turns the monitor up, altho he's shaking his head as he does it you still can't hear urself over the house...and he is no where close to the monitor to judge 1 way r the other...
and if all my friends weren't there i would go somewhere else...just a shame that a lot feel that they know it all...
ME? just try to please me and then you can try and please the next singer, whatever that takes...
i think karaoke is the best thing that ever happened for average singers heck even for above average singers seeing as today unlike years back it's hard to get a gig with a band unless it's a casino..around here anyway...but it's also the worst thing that could happen to bands...there's no more AWE factor, it's more like..heck i can do that song better then he can attiude...that's sad...i don't like the term KARAOKE singer. i have heard some great so called karaoke singers...just never had the chance to sing with a band...anywho

brian i kinda sorta agree, i wasn't talking about ordering someone to do something but asking in a nice way...having said that most of the time your in the middle of a song and you really don't have the time to say...COULD YOU PLEASE TURN UP THE VOCAL'S I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF...by then the songs over, its more like..I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF, sounds rude but its not like you have a lotta time in between words...
brian, if i took your attitude....... (It’s their show). How would you like it if he asks where you work? Now, that makes you wonder why he’s asking. It’s because he will be there to tell you how to do your job & see how you like it........then i guess the people that are really doing the intertainin hould just shut up and deal with it, whatever it is with no opinion whats so ever...WE THE PEOPLE are THE SHOW ...ok i really feel like i'm on a soap box now....
but that is the way i feel...i believe you as a k j should do everything possable to please the singer...IN THE MONITOR...is that so wrong?

AMEN