Karaoke Forums

I would like to hear some opinions on kJams. I'm a Mac-girl so it looks a little more user friendly to me. (Please forgive my ignorance) but are still able to do a split screen with KJams so the song graphics are on the TV screen while the program is running on the laptop? Also, is it possible to do a song list booklet from the program or do you need separate software for that?

kJams 2 is great! Show ready and I've have been seriously considering replacing my CompuHost system with it. Although I use CompuHost for "work" kJams 2 is the one I always use for my home system. I recommend you download the free trial and don't forget the iOS app

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack

I checked it out. KJams looks so primitive next to the much more advanced CompuHost. The UI of CompuHost blows away the Windows Explorer type shell of KJams. But then again, to each his own.

To the OP: Unfortunately, CompuHost is not available for the Mac platform. I wish it was because undeniably, IMO CompuHost is the most comprehensive, professional karaoke hosting software that you can get.

I know it's not for everyone, but personally speaking, I've tried them all and found CompuHost to be the best. I wouldn't use anything else. Yes, it's expensive but worth it. Like anything else, you get what you pay for.

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

As a professional KJ who uses CompuHost at all my shows, I agree it is one of the best. All karaoke software has bugs, but unfortuatly CompuHost support is slow to non-existent i.e. the black screen after playing a video, ending of songs cut off, the "select" rotate mode bug, etc. Heck you can't even discuss those bugs on their forum without getting reprimanded or kicked off.

Meanwile Dave, the owner of kJams, is and has been very reponsive and active in developing his software and kJams 2 shows it. Modeling his sofware after iTunes means that if you know how to use iTunes you already know how to use kJams.

A great feature of both packages is the ability to provide remote song request for the singers, and they love having the capability. CompuHost's implementation is expensive and klunky to set up. To use it with their phones it requires the singer to type an IP address into their browser and Android's default browser tries to google the IP, so those singers need to use laptops, setup in the bar to gain access. Often the laptop users don't press enter on the final page, Key Change, and CompuHost's kiosk resets without sending the data. Oh to only have a nickel everytime a heard a singer say "I put it in."

To me the real the power of kJams, is the iOS app, wtkJams. The server is built into kJams 2 and there's no set up, start the free app and it finds the venue. Not only does this easy to use "kiosk" app allow singers to remotly request songs and to see their history, it allows the singers to view the songs in their queue. This is a feature that my singers really want and wtkJams does it elegantly. For non-iPhone users, there is an option for iPads, which can easily be protected.

Another great feature of both packages is the built in "stores" both have Karaoke Cloud and CompuHost also has a non-online version, KJ Media Pro. However after several very out of sync songs, I will no longer use the service on any software package. kJams also offers the TriceraSoft store built in, 77 thousand songs at your finger tips.

Does kJams have flaws? Yea, slow database search being the biggest among them, once Dave get's that taken care of I think, I'll make the switch.

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack

I use Compuhost and like it. But their support & development is the epitome of arrogant "blame the user" culture.

No they dont! And you don't need an internet connection, either. As long as you have the Kiosk Add On, it's a piece of cake.

You do need to set up a network using a wireless router. Remember, no internet required. Once done, and CH is accessing the network, anyone can access it to remotely send in their song requests. This can be done with ANY mobile device (laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc.)

Your customers' mobile device should find your network. All they have to do to connect put in the password that you provide. Once done, they can access your song library, search for songs, artists, and submit them.

It's rather simple. Don't know why you're having such a hard time with it or why you need the venue's internet.

Anyway, like I said, if Kjams is what you like... go for it. To me, it looks like kiddie software by comparison. But to each his own.

So, don't discredit the software because you don't know how to properly configure CH to work with mobile devices. Sometimes, it's easier to blame the software for something not working when the user has no understanding of what they're doing.

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

Please reread my comments. I never said anything about needing "an internet connection," I specifically said "it requires the singer to type an IP address into their browser and Android's default browser tries to google the IP." perhapes I should have stated it as written in CompuHost's kiosk manual, "Performer's may then access your Remote Request Server by simply browsing to your "Public IP Address" (as obtained in step 2) utilizing the Web Browser provided within their Smartdevice."

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack

If you don't have an open network then yes you need Internet connection to access via smartphone. Had problems with my router but could access it via smartphone when using a hotspot.

_________________
The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Not if you run your own DNS server and point all DNS requests to your server. My singers open their browser and type in whatevertheywantorcanthinkof.com and get to the Kiosk.

I assume this means another computer or can I do this with just an older AirPort Extreme and my show laptop? With kJams, you just check a box that activates the internal webserver and when the singer fires up the app and it finds the venue. Easy peasy.

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack

No, it's just a program that runs in the background. No second computer required.

Tell me more...

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack

There's several free DNS server programs you can google.

I use Apate DNS. When everything is connected and your computer is running, open up the program, type in the IP address of your show laptop (Kiosk server) and hit Start. Make sure you configure your router to use your show laptop's IP address (same one) as DNS server and broadcasts that to every device connected. For simplicity I exclude 5 IP addresses from the router's DHCP server and use these as static IP addresses for show laptop and Kiosk touchscreens.

Thanks, I knew this was't gonna be easy, but I'll give it a shot. Did I mention on kJams this is all automatic?

_________________
Karaoke that just sounds better!

CompuHost | KJ Media Pro | Karaoke Kiosk | Bose L1 Model II system | B2 bass | ToneMatch audio engine | Shure VHF SM58 wireless mics | Countryman E6 Earset with Shure UHF wireless beltpack