Karaoke Forums

I was wondering a way to back up and leave my karaoke library at home so I can protect my investment. I was checking out a company called UTM and they are out of N.C. They have a program called Hoster and they sounded pretty legit, what do you think?

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Where do we go, where do we go now?- GNR

Could it be that you mean MTU Hoster?  If so, I think it's really overpriced for what it does.  If you just need a ripper (a program that copies CDG's onto your hard drive) try Audiograbber, it's freeware.  If you need hosting software, there are better, cheaper alternatives.  Try reading the thread titled "Programs."

If you use the search engine here you will Find a Plethera of information about hoster and backing up CD+G's

I came to this site almost two years ago with the same question.
I got alot of feedback and took KnightShow's advice and downloaded the following:

Audio Grabber  -  Freeware
CDRWIN          - Freeware
WINAMP          - freeware

Purchaced
Plextor 708 A  External DVD burner - $125.00

Now each time I get a new disc, the first time it is In a machine that machine is my Plextor,
to be ripped by audio grabber on to my 160 Gig dedicated hard drive.
Then if my disc is ever scratched lost or stolen I simply pop in a blank disc and use CDRWIN to burn a copy of the original.
and if I want to do my show from my PC I can use winamp with the plug in's
to run My CD+G files right on my Laptop.

Bottom line here is use the search engine and you will even find links to lead you where you can find all these free downloadable's.

I havent had a problem yet with Audio grabber or CDRWIN going on two years now

Just my 3 Cents
Michael

Be sure to use a free program..... no use paying for something you can get for nothing.

The cheaper it is the better the program. There are also sites you can download free karaoke songs from.

also, Try to keep your price to the bare minimum, you dont really need to make money. after all Karaoke Hosting is just plain Fun as a job.

Just a thought,
you can buy all hits karaoke for $3.00 a disk, why buy sound choice? heck, its only music and words. should they actually get compensated so well for that?  Hmmm maybe $3.00 is too high........ nevermind

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Tsk tsk, Dr D. how dare you  :whistle:  If you want to give advice, be more accurate

What about the fact that there is no support?

So the free ones must be better then MTU's Hoster? Strange, so many people, including myself have been Hoster supporters from very early stages and still buy the updates. Please explain that one!

That is so unprofessional. I suggest you'd rather play for 6 beers and a couple of shots, then you don't have any income to declare either to the IRS.

ShyGuy,
Sometimes Sarcasm is hard to understand.

I am also a hoster user. I wouldn't go any other way. They are no mom and pop operation doing programming for a  hobby. They have to pay for programmers, and their time for support. Also they pay for the Forum. That is also a reason I like Their products.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Or, could it be that you bought MTU without doing much research or assumed that cheaper couldn't be better and are now stuck with a harddrive full of KMA files that no other hosting program will read?  I'm not trying to insult you, but many people have done just that, and then instead of admitting that hey might have goofed, will zealously defend their purchase.

As for the matter of "mom and pop" programmers.... Too many cooks spoil the soup, unless the project manager was a KJ.

exweedfarmer, the first response that popped in my mind was "Bite Me!", but then again, when you do insult people the way you just did, it's not worth the effort.

I doubt that many Companys are going out to a karaoke show looking for Project managers....................   You should have been a comedian

Shyguy,
You're right, Not worth the comment

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

sheeesh!

What is with all the MTU bashing! They make a great product and I'm content with using KMA's because I chose them for a reason. If I choose to use another program down the road then YES I will have to reimport my library again..I knew that when I purchased the program because I did over a year of research prior to purchasing it. I

You don't find the MTU users of this forum bashing competitors products do you? I certianly don't!  If you guys don't have something positive to say about them I would appreciate it if you just wouldn't say anything at all.

It's ok if you are using another product...support that one, but bashing another Mfg's product serves no purpose here other than to inflame a satisfied user.

The guy is looking for a program to BACK-UP his karaoke library to protect his investment!  He's looking for duplication software not Hosting Software! KMA files have nothing to do with cdg duplication.

NOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AT HAND:

With regard to cdg duplication there are many products on the market that will do the trick. Not necessarily in order of importance...rather what comes to mind first. MTU, Tricerasoft, Clone CD (may not be available anymore), AudioGrabber, CDRWin and many more.

I use Microstudio by MTU I think I paid $40. I use only Plextor Burners to do the burning with as they produce the cleanest burns. As for CDR media I use Mitsui Silver Media on anything that I want to Archive as I have found that it withstands normal use better than anything I have found in 4 years of backups.

Plextor and Mitsui Silver are two thing for sure!  The software....that's up to you.

Many of these manufacturers have demo versions that you can download and try for before you buy. That's how I made my decision. I went for the easiest to operate, quality of burn, and the features I needed. Price was not a determining factor for me.

Hope this helps.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

After re-reading previous posts: I think I got a little carried away.

Sorry guys for the inflamatory post I just did....I just get so tired of some of the regulars here coming out and downing products that clearly are quality products that help us all do our jobs better regardless of the price tag. I know MTU to be one of those manufacturers.

My post was in defense of many replies that have been posted in this forum over the past few weeks and was not based upon this one thread alone.

I think whatever hosting or duplication software that you use is just fine as long as it does what you bought it to do. Regardless of cost. Careful research is critical to acheiving that goal.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I opted for Hoster because I prefer the way the kma files sound over the mp3 based programs.  No I did not blindly buy the program, I did do testing on the others & found Hoster to be easiest & I actually do not mind the fact that I can't play the files in anything else, I wouldn't want nor need to.  I am a satisfied user.

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

I dunno, I got bashed by MTU users for saying that using a cheaper program (S&D) would be a more relevant way to go for a new KJ rather that dropping a large ammout of $$$ for MTU's products.

And once again SINCE WHEN DOES CHEAPER MEAN LESSER QUALITY!

I can but a say a Hanes tee-sirt for $3 at Wal-mart, or the same Hanes tee-shirt at a deperment store for twice the price.  Does that make the Wal-mart tee lesser quality?  No it makes me a smarter shopper.

And yes, there are thoes of you dedicated MTU users that think it is the best thing since sliced bread, but that is fine.  All I say is give new KJ an option.  

And before Lonamn nails me about the KMA quality, yes it could be better quality, but will the masses notice any difference?  95% of the people in the world probably can't tell the difference between a good quality mp3 or a kma.  Lonman puts himself in the 5%.

No, but some Windows developers have KJing as a night job.  Hence the better software at a lesser price.

Price factor did not enter into my decision to purchase MTU's product. I paid $450 originally when I purchased it. Now it is around $200 and price is still not the determining factor. In hind sight I would pay $450 again if it stayed there.

Simply put, 1) does it do everything that I want it to do. 2) does the company support it's users with upgraded features or fixes. 3) are they continually looking to improve the product and add features that I may need in the future.

Hoster is much more than a hosting program with simple features. It compiles and prints my songbooks in word format, I import a customers song off of his cdg and track it in my rotation and then it dumps the song from HD after playing which allows me to not to haul a player around with me. It allows me to play and key change vcd's from my hard drive etc.

Again it flat out does what I want it to do and much more.

Newbies looking for information are not really asking how much, they are asking what we use and how we like it. Perhaps we could ask them what features they think they will need and then direct them I dunno...

If S&D flips your switch and it does everything you want it to do at a Low Price GREAT!!  Will it float everyones boat ...maybe....maybe not.....that is not for us to decide, we can only base our comments on our experiences and specific needs.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Anthony

I'm all for your comment about giving the new KJ an option!

my observation has been this:

1. Newbie asks about hosting software
2. Someone posts about MTU and their experiences that are positive
3. Then someone slams MTU for price or whatever and then says look at this brand.

Are we really giving the newbie an option to explore MTU? I think not...

I don't think you will find posts doing the opposite with other Mfg's so why with MTU

Why not just say this is what I use for my setups, or what do you want the program to do etc.

I've said enough on the subject. Most MTU users on this forum know what I'm trying to say.

Tag your it!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I'm glad that you are happy with your purchase.  But to clarify, I think S&D's is probably the worst piece of software out there.  Book printing is a common feature and so you don't need to pay $200.00 (MTU) for it.  Newbies need to spend money on music, not on software, not on hardware.  I have not played with Hoster so my only complaint is the price.  I looked at the feature list, I looked at the price and said, "you gotta be kidding."

Well for people who don't want the book printing feature Mtu has Hoster Lite fo $99.00

Then you can buy Kj pro for $200 for printing books.





For someone who hasn't played with it you sure are outspoken about how much you dislike it and the people who created it.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

I don't care if no one else could tell the difference, I can tell the difference & that's what matters to me is the sound quality.

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

I didn't say I didn't like it.  I said it was overpriced.  It is.  I didn't say I didn't like the people who created it.  In fact, I did contact them about Hoster and they were very forthcoming and quick to reply so their customer service is probably excellent.
On the other hand, I don't like the proprietary format of KMA and it requires Windows XP which is a bloated thing in itself.   I takes a lot of computer to run which translates into a good deal of money.  You say it's stable, I believe you.
Please don't take offence where none is meant, but it IS overpriced and under featured for the money.  There are better programs for less money, would you like a list?