Karaoke Forums

Based on Dakota's excellent suggestion, I present this topic for discussion. I'll start...

Before we even get to the entertainment, the place should have great food and drinks that are reasonably priced. And of course, great service.

The place should have ample parking, with a parking lot that's not full of pot holes.

The atmosphere should be welcoming and comfortable. There should be a lot of room for the singers to freely move around during their performance and enough room for people who want to dance. In other words, not in a confined area.

Now, let's talk about the karaoke...

The sound quality should be outstanding. The KJ should know how to run a board and make every voice sound good. He should have great people skills, a great personality and treat everyone fairly.

Well, that's a start...

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

Ummm, Alan,, that is really a very generic starting point. Your description of the "ideal" bar kind of looks like Carls Jr.

I'm looking forward to hearing what your views are for what the ideal karaoke spot would be like.

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

I'll pass Alan, I do not want to be the subject of anybody's ridicule on what I have in mind. But let me say this much, it would be an amazing place for public performances.

I would really love to hear about it... as well as other people's opinions.

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

I wasn't going to do this, but here goes.

Alan, for the most part, I fully agree in your basic assessment. I believe that there should be a certain basic level of expectations of what a "proper" karaoke spot should be. There are the "required" boxes to tick, and then there are viewpoint on what I would do if I had the ability to create such a spot. Those boxes are much more specific, and I will try to describe what I would like to see.

The concept I have in mind is much more of a "music and entertainment destination", rather than just for karaoke.

I will start with driving into the parking lot. A lot that is large, open, well lit with no dangerous dark areas. One that has video surveillance around the clock for safety concerns. This is a medium size venue with maybe between 300-400 capacity. It would be a combined entertainment venue plus dining for all ages (until a certain set time at night when minors would need to vacate). Food (and bar) would be high quality full meals offered until around 10 p.m. or so, with smaller items (appetizers for sharing) available until maybe an hour before closing time. The place would be well lit with warm lighting in the dining areas. The place would be a clean, well maintained place with plenty of comfortable seating/tables. All seating should have a reasonably good view of the stage area. I might also mention that bathrooms would be clean and spacious with enough stalls to accommodate several people. ALL staff, MUST be warm, friendly, encouraging of the performers, plus be fully trained for multiple tasks. Yes I know what I am asking here, but this is my dream, OK? Ceiling would be very tall, and the acoustics would be amazing. Alright then, the stage area would be a medium size, semi circular stage that is elevated (2 to 3 steps is all) above a large dance floor. The dance sits the lowest (elevation wise) to the rest of the building. The access to the dance floor and stage would have several spots around the edge of the floor. There would be a smaller section of seating and tables (set around the back edge of the dance floor) that is only one step above the dance floor on the opposite side to the stage. This would be prime seating for certain events, but available at all times otherwise. The stage also has its own entrance from the back and sides for bands or special performances. This venue would be tall enough for there to be a balcony that overlooks the stage and dance floor as well. Pool tables and games for patrons to use. Seating would be available up there as well. The main view spot from the balcony would only be used on event nights for "select customers". There would be a green room and a couple of dressing rooms behind the stage for multiple needs. The back stage also would have it's own bathrooms. Professional level lighting for the stage would be able to spotlight individual performers as well as entire bands. Great sound is a must, with high quality equipment. Wired microphones on stands would be the default ones provided, but wireless would be available upon request. I would probably use either Shure Sm58's and maybe Super55's for fun, or Sennheiser's E935's. A professional technical booth for lighting and sound would need to be available to all who require "house sound" (karaoke, open mic, etc.) LOTS of TV's placed around the entire venue, so that at any given spot, customers can see the screens. When not being used for karaoke, those TV's would play a variety of events, music videos, sports, or videos of past performers from the venue. A qualified and trained person for the technical part would be on staff at all open hours. When there are events such as karaoke, bands, contests, etc., there would be a host for that event who would need to be a fun, positive and encouraging of all performers.

Weekly lineups would sort of look like this.
Mondays would be open mic nights or individuals who would like some time on the stage. Time would start maybe around 7 p.m. or so. All pre-arranged and authorized of course.
Tuesdays would be audition night for bands, set up into 2 hour blocks, so you could have 2 or 3 bands audition on a given night, also starting around 7 p.m. or so.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday would be dedicated karaoke nights with that fun, friendly, positive person I was describing above, and the technical person running the booth. This gives the host time to "schmooze" the crowd. This person must be the master of the 30 second conversation
Saturday nights would be band or special event nights. ALL advertised months in advance. I would like to see if it would be possible to attract well known entertainers as well.


That's it folks,,,, there is my dream. Now it's time to wake up !!

I almost forgot this too...

Even the restaurant part of the business, during open hours, would also have the ability for all ages to have a chance to perform on stage (up until the set time, around 7 or so would be fine). Patrons would find mini kiosks and encouraging advertising on each table when the urge for someone to sing. Find the song, load it into the system, and the staff would be more than happy (and encouraging) to get the singer(s) onto the stage when it's their turn. After all, this IS an entertainment venue, so most patrons or their family members, should be keen on the idea of singing. A possibility of reserving time blocks may also be available, jut a thought.

Your ideas for the perfect venue sound amazing. You covered everything. I would love it if such a place or places actually existed.

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

Back in the day, there was a place called Big Mama's Karaoke Cafe. It was owned by Chartbuster Karaoke. Anybody could eat, drink, and sing any time of the day. It was the most ultimate karaoke venue anywhere. It's a shame it closed in 2011. But, just watch this video and see what it was all about... mind blowing. Click on this link below and prepare to be blown away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSstr9vb1hk

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

I watched that video, and it is doing much of the same thing I have in mind. I would make changes of course to modernize stuff, but it did look like a great concept for sure. Location would be key of course for any such venue. It wouldn't work unless there were a population base that could support it. My guess that the Karaoke Cafe closed was due to a few reasons. First: Location, it was in a town with less than 15 thousand people and it was far enough away from Nashville that the "stars" that did show up, were far and few in-between. Second: Overhead, the gift store probably was killing them on inventory that rarely sold. By the time that they closed, most people were using a digital format, discs were outdated. I am sure there were many contributing factors why it closed tho.

The place I have in mind would be fun, but not truly realistic, the money it would take to create such a spot would be hard pressed to make a return on that investment.... but think of how great it would be to see and sing at such a place!!

I agree with you about the location being an important factor. But wouldn't it be nice if you had the money to open such a place. There has never been anything like the Karaoke Cafe and probably never will be again.

Although, if I was going to create something similar, I would do away with the karaoke store. A gift shop, selling things like T shirts would work but not discs, or karaoke machines.

But for the right entrepreneur, the place could be a gold mine. There are really no dedicated places devoted to karaoke like that one was.

You have some great ideas. I'd love to see them put into action.

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

We have a couple of bars that almost do karaoke 7 nights a week.
Used to have a place that was just about the same as the place in Tennessee but like that it went under due to poor management and not providing the deals that they promised.

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

Agree with removing the gift shop idea. Ya have about 4-5 million to spare?

WOW!

Awesome! I'd like to make a reservation for 6...

What I would want in a Karaoke venue, as a mere patron, is perhaps not perfect but one that I would like to go to.

It should be in a safe area with ample parking (valet parking at a reasonable price would be good too).

It should be in a restaurant/bar setting with a nice ambiance and clean bathrooms. The venue should serve "decent" food and great drinks throughout the night at a fair price. It should have comfortable seating with a veiw of the singers. A dance floor would be a plus. It should start at 7-7:30pm and last a reasonable amount of time thereafter and be happening for all ages.

Security would be a must have.

There should be a stage with easy access and fun lightning. Wireless mics with microphone stands would be a nice choice to have. There should be a great selection of songs and sound should be great and not so loud that you can't talk. Multiple monitors would be a plus but not a deal breaker. The equipment should be "decent". Microphones should be clean and I should be able to request a wipe or that they be cleaned right before I use them if I choose. I'm not a germophobe, but (true story) I was once really grossed out by a sweaty singer who was ahead of me who cupped and spit all over the mic and then wiped it on his sweaty shirt to clean it. Yuck! Host didn't have a wipe but gave me a different mic that may have been through the same exact experience. Traumatizing! Lol.

The host should be fun and know how to work the crowd. He should be in charge and know how to handle different situations. He should be personable, approachable and encouraging. He should be experienced with live singing and sound, and he should be able to make the singer sound better when needed.

I've probably left some things out but that's a good start for me.

A simple extra that is certainly not a necessity but makes for a little more fun is a high powered fan on the floor that blows your hair back for those who are feeling Beyoncé. A not so simple extra but fun for the non-singers or friends of singers are dance cages or dance platforms on or near the stage.

Lastly, the below really doesn't have to do with what I would want in a Karaoke venue at all but it was at a show that I use to go to, and (not that I've been to hundreds of shows or anything) I have never seen anything like it in any show that I have been to since. It was definitely very cool to say the least and worth a mention. Please don't ridicule me (as I am not a professional KJ, DJ, musician or anything of the like) if this is something that is common or that you are familiar with. Anyway, my favorite host in the past who has since passed had a system that he claimed he invented. I don't know if that was true but it doesn't matter. It involved various instruments such as a keyboard, guitar and I forget what other instruments he used, that could be played by anyone even if you had never played an instrument before. To better explain, I think the instruments were on some sort of auto tune (or something) so that even if you didn't know the song or how to play the instrument, you could never play a wrong note if that makes sense. For example on the keyboard, you would basically have to keep the beat of the song and no matter what keys you hit, they would be in tune with the song being played and they would always compliment the song and not overwhelm it. So while you were singing, you or a friend could simultaneously play the guitar or keyboard and the sounds of the instruments would blend in seamlessly and would not interphere with the singers experience. Again, it was very cool.

A few years ago, I spent some time traveling around visiting Karaoke Shows.
(For Phill)
Anyway, the absolute worst show was in Orange county.
I filled out a slip, and the KJ (220 pound female) Said. "I Hate That Effin' Song".
It went downhill after that.
In my humble opinion, a show needs a professional host.
Enough Said..

Dakota,,I also agree with some of your additional ideas. Having "Security" is a must! Keeping patrons and staff safe is top priority. For me, even the private entrance for the entertainment (bands, acts) would have it's own well lit parking that the bands would unload/load under roof and video surveillance as well. No dark areas for wackos to hide.

Now,,, I got a chuckle out of your "fan blowing" idea... I can just picture some of the singers up on stage with their hair flowing like an 80's MTV video I couldn't picture myself doing that, even though I have great hair Seeing your pic, I bet you would look fabulous!! I also have seen "dance" cages, with "on staff dancers" encouraging patrons to get out dancing. I honestly believe that dance floors are actually "money makers", as they attract more customers vs venues that don't have a dance floor.

Now, your last comment about the instruments.... I think what you are talking about is something similar to Rock Band Karaoke. It actually may have been Rock Band. But, I would never ridicule someone for having fresh ideas I would think that even stage props like guitars (different types), costumes, etc. would add some fun. There used to be a very famous karaoke spot in Hollywood (jdmeister can confirm this) that was called "Dimples". It had much of this type of "add on's" and in it's hey day, the place was totally packed, night after night. The problem was the owner was too old and set in his ways to update and modernize, and he held onto the past and too much historical memorabilia cluttering up the house. There were other issues as well that contributed to the closure of Dimples in the end.

Anyway, it would be truly amazing to have a place such as we are thinking, but in the end, the reality is it takes money to makes money. All I need is a few like minded investors..

I would love to invest in this with you except, I have nothing to invest.

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

Haha,, I'm right there too!! I couldn't afford a ticket to this place