Karaoke Forums

I have done karaoke once in my life and after I got over the initial fear I really enjoyed it. My fiance and I love to sing together and we have talked about dong karaoke at home. I really know nothing about karaoke other than to hold the mike. However, her birthday is coming up and I thought it would be fun if we could get some kind of a system that will allow us to play at home. I've got a great stereo system and flat screen tv so, it seems that if I could get the karaoke device (I'm sure there is a technical name for that device so please excuse my ignorance), some sort of a starter kit if you will, then, we could make a go of it. I read some of the posts and I see that most of the folks want to do this as a business and spend tens of thousands of dollars. I am looking for something simple and cheap and just want to have some fun with my gal. Is that possible? Can someone give me some guidance please.

Thanks.

You'll find some advice here:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=30630

including - ahem - my own modest contribution.

As I'm sure others will tell you, DO NOT attempt to use your stereo system. You could easily blow your speakers.

That is excellent advice. And also, you will pay more and get less if you buy any equipment that's specifically made for karaoke. It's usually over-priced toys. Get yourself a powered mixer, a pair of passive speakers and a couple of mics and you're in business.

Now, you'll need a laptop and software to run the system (most important part). As far as karaoke songs are concerned, you can either spend thousands of dollars for music or subscribe to a service that gives you access to thousands of karaoke tracks for $10 per month (Karafun). And that's for home use, NOT commercial.

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

Since this is for at home, use the free Karafun software with a home subscription. Your computer is way more flexible than any karaoke machine and They have over 20 thousand songs and its only like $15/month *I don't remember exactly i'd have to look on my credit card*

Using your stereo system is a bad idea, but if you absolutely must then you'll at least need a 1/8 to stereo rca cord. The small end plugs into your audio out on the computer and the other two plug into the stereo or tv.


cheers

-james

So to sum up, what you need is 1) A way to play tracks, 2) A way to get tracks, and 3) A way to amplify tracks.

1) You might already have a computer that will work. Check system requirements for Karafun.

2) Karafun subscription. Probably better to use wired internet if possible, since you're not moving it.

3) Get a small, non-powered mixing board with effects. A lot of the small, cheap ones don't have effects, which are important for matching the live vocals to the karaoke tracks and make it way more fun, but you can buy low-priced ones that have it. Four channels is plenty. I wouldn't worry about any other features for your home system--cheapest four-channel board you can get with effects.

Get small, powered PA speakers--you don't need big ones in a small room. My thought is that you're better off buying one speaker and running the mixing board mono than playing through your home stereo.

This setup will cost far less than a professional system, and if you use your own computer it won't cost any more than one of the rinky-dink 'toy' home systems, and sound much, much better.

I prefer home karaoke now since the smoking ban came in. At least my girlfriend can smoke while we sing now which she cant do in a pub.

Is it really that much trouble to go outside to have a cigarette? Listen, you simply cannot duplicate the karaoke experience at home. There's nothing like being on stage and performing to a live crowd. It's an atmosphere you can't get at home.

Like I said, you would let that stop you because of being too lazy to go outside when you wanted to have a cigarette?

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

Alan, it's not about being lazy to go outside to smoke. Singsong just wants to sing with his gf and she can smoke whenever she feels like lighting it up. It doesn't look like he is looking for the excitement of singing in front of an audience. The live singing atmosphere is not what he is looking for. The added benefit of them singing at home is they can sing songs that they may have never sung before, removing all inhibition because when you're at home, who cares if you're totally singing off key, and they can sing as much and as often as they want to. It's all in the fun!

My interpretation is that they liked going out for karaoke until (his quote): "I prefer home karaoke now since the smoking ban came in". The key word is since. Thank You.

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

And how is this helping the OP??

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

It's not.

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

In case you, and others, haven't noticed, singsong ONLY chimes in with comments about "smoking"