Need Suggestions on a better Karaoke Song Book Solution

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TheOlogee

TheOlogee

DJ Extraordinaire
Dec 4, 2011
561
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Texas
www.idjdfw.com
I am starting to get more requests to do karaoke and am looking for a better way for singers to search for songs other than my 120 page binder.

I really want to figure out how I can create a database that I could use on my Android Tab that will allow singers to sort and select eliminating the need of the big book.

So far I've found a Remote add-on to PCDJ Karaoki (which I have/tolerate) that allows this to happen but requires a Citrix server setup to run.

Suggestions appreciated as always.
 
That tool works stand-alone, but it also integrates with the karaoke program I use (Just Karaoke 2 - same company). I've been looking for a cheap touchscreen monitor and will use either an old laptop or a simple box PC to act as a request/lookup tool. The nice thing is with the JK2 program, the requests pop up in the selection tool of the program, so it's simple to include the song directly into the queue.

Rick has a similar application for songs that might be able to be used: http://softjock.com/remoterequest.htm Not sure how it handles karaoke files.
 
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unless you create software yourself you will NEVER satisfy the hunger....................
 
Steve,
that red light behind your head in the avatar freaks me out.
 
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I've never gotten excited about these remote request apps. For me, it's a value measure - the cost of printing a book and bringing a dozen or more copies along versus the cost of maintaining another PC or kiosk and more equipment to move and setup.

A book costs me at most $30 after printing, page protectors, and binder and I only need to print them every other year - using update pages in the meantime. When they get lost or left behind it's a form of advertising, if they are destroyed or damaged they are easily replaced or repaired and since I have repeat clients I often get them back anyway.

I think the books are also much more personal and with multiple portable copies no one group of people can dominate the search tool. It also means I get to interact personally with all of the patrons and that has a great deal of advertising power by allowing people to identify with me as the person serving them. Personalizing the whole experience goes a long way to developing a recognition and appreciation of your work.

We live in a world where if you really want to - you can automate yourself right out of the job.
 
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Ron said:
Only $30 for printing, page protectors, and binding... wish I knew your printer.
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It does not cost much Ron, those materials are cheap if you buy in Bulk and if you have an office sized Printer. Hell I can get a good 2" 3 Ring Binder at the Dollar Store. Go to Sams and get the Paper and Protectors and you are good to go.

Of course if you go to a Printer, he will charge you for all the above plus his labor.
 
Ron said:
Only $30 for printing, page protectors, and binding... wish I knew your printer.
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About $30 per book. I produce and format my own book and only need to get pages copied at about 0.03 each. This also speaks to how well you manage your music, minimizing the pages required. If your books are too large and filled with too much unnecessary or duplicate information you are simply wasting time and money. Not to mention crowding it with information that gets in the way of what people are really looking for.

I see very few people for example, that care what manufacturer's version they sing. Therefore, while I may have more than one version I only list a song once per style (duet vs solo, pop vs dance etc.) and none of the disc/file information is included in the book. Just Title, Artist, and style.

The days of trying to impress people with music inventory or technology are long over - it's just gotta be fun and easy.
 
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I gave up 3 ring binders and sheet protectors a couple of years ago.

I purchased one of these comb binders to make my books.

P1170103.jpg

I have 10 sorted by artist and 10 sorted by song title

P1170107.jpg

Each book is just short of 200 pages, front & back with no duplicates.

P1170108.jpg


The cost of each book is just under $20 each.

There is a section in the front of each book for new additions and I print new books about once a year.

I save the "current edition" as a PDF file so if a book, or pages of a book, get destroyed I can print the need pages and repair the book in a few minutes.
 
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DJCC said:
I gave up 3 ring binders and sheet protectors a couple of years ago.

I purchased one of these comb binders to make my books.

View attachment 24996

I have 10 sorted by artist and 10 sorted by song title

View attachment 24997

Each book is just short of 200 pages, front & back with no duplicates.

View attachment 24998


The cost of each book is just under $20 each.

There is a section in the front of each book for new additions and I print new books about once a year.

I save the "current edition" as a PDF file so if a book, or pages of a book, get destroyed I can print the need pages and repair the book in a few minutes.
Click to expand...
What happens to the pages when there are no protectors and someone spills a drink on an open page(s)?
 
ahoustondj said:
What happens to the pages when there are no protectors and someone spills a drink on an open page(s)?
Click to expand...


Can you not read?

DJCC said:
I save the "current edition" as a PDF file so if a book, or pages of a book, get destroyed I can print the need pages and repair the book in a few minutes.
Click to expand...

When someone spills a drink on a book with sheet protectors the paper pages can still get wet.
 
DJCC said:
I gave up 3 ring binders and sheet protectors a couple of years ago.

I purchased one of these comb binders to make my books. I have 10 sorted by artist and 10 sorted by song title. Each book is just short of 200 pages, front & back with no duplicates. The cost of each book is just under $20 each. There is a section in the front of each book for new additions and I print new books about once a year.
I save the "current edition" as a PDF file so if a book, or pages of a book, get destroyed I can print the need pages and repair the book in a few minutes.
Click to expand...

Those are really nice looking books - well done. How much more would it cost to have the printer do the comb binding for you?

My page format is very similar but with fewer line breaks in titles etc. I stayed with the binders since I'm able to fit within a 1/2" poly binder. The sheet protectors have fended off many drink spills and the binder/pages are essentially washable. The pages can last for years.

For the most part, the books aren't that important anymore because now that the PC rules - requesting your tracks is so fast and easy few people even bother with them anymore. They just step on over and talk to me. With an internet connection I can even buy online during an event, and when people book a gig I allow them to submit requests in advance as well. Ultimately, I'd like to just go with a stapled newsprint booklet that's disposable (like the car dealer inserts you find in the Sunday papers, etc.) I'd have them printed 1,000 at a time and when they get too worn just toss 'em. They serve more as an idea pad and I find it's really not necessary anymore to have the entire library indexed for people. I just remind people that they are free to come over and inquire about any song they don't see listed and it works very well.
 
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Proformance said:
Those are really nice looking books - well done. How much more would it cost to have the printer do the comb binding for you?

My page format is very similar but with fewer line breaks in titles etc. I stayed with the binders since I'm able to fit within a 1/2" poly binder. The sheet protectors have fended off many drink spills and the binder/pages are essentially washable. The pages can last for years.

For the most part, the books aren't that important anymore because now that the PC rules - requesting your tracks is so fast and easy few people even bother with them anymore. They just step on over and talk to me. With an internet connection I can even buy online during an event, and when people book a gig I allow them to submit requests in advance as well. Ultimately, I'd like to just go with a stapled newsprint booklet that's disposable (like the car dealer inserts you find in the Sunday papers, etc.) I'd have them printed 1,000 at a time and when they get too worn just toss 'em. They serve more as an idea pad and I find it's really not necessary anymore to have the entire library indexed for people. I just remind people that they are free to come over and inquire about any song they don't see listed and it works very well.
Click to expand...

You can get them comb bound for around $2-3 each and spirial bound for around $4-5 each. The binder cost me about $100 and them combs, covers and backs are cheap.

I do it myself because I also use the binder to make proposals for schools dances and such.

I also make my own "booking schedule".

Booking Schedule.jpg

I print a copy of all the user manuals for my lighting. When I am programing my DMX software/controller I don't have a stack of paper to look for the DMX settings.

DMX Book.jpg

and since I do my own accounting, (this is not the place to start the "get an accountant" BS), I make my own P&L statements.

P&L Books.jpg
 
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