Karaoke Karoake? Is it worth it? What gear/software?

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It can be depending on the application, where it's done and for who. Don't forget you will need several books with the names of artists and songs for people to see to pick out what song or songs they want to sing that you have. I would suggest you have at least 3 books so people aren't waiting to look at a book and get upset.

Do they still use books at Karaoke shows? I would have thought that it would be all done online now
 
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Do they still use books at Karaoke shows? I would have thought that it would be all done online now
Mix has his finger on the pulse of the Karaoke world ...
 
My friend she is a KJ I go to her events at bars to help boost the crowd. I have her pick the songs nonmatter what I sing them. yup i have to sing gaga and cash, its fun and helps.
 
Download Siglos karaoke Pro and use that to run karaoke. It's inexpensive and easy to use. You can feed the output through the internal sound card and run it concurrently with other DJ software. I do that so I can jump back and forth from dancing to karaoke using the best application for either on a single PC.

The software is so easy to use you can even step aside and let a client host their own karaoke show. Song selection and Rotation management is that easy.
 
I only do that as a contest called: Kamikaze Karaoke
IKEA sells a small spinning contest wheel .. I thought of setting that up with songs and trinket prizes.

 
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... or throw darts at a balloon wall, pickup a duck from the tub, etc. LOL

Just putting contestant names or the song titles in a hat works just as well. You can pick the song first - then the name, or vice versa.

It's the PRIZE that makes it happen.
 
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... or throw darts at a balloon wall, pickup a duck from the tub, etc. LOL

Just putting contestant names or the song titles in a hat works just as well. You can pick the song first - then the name, or vice versa.

It's the PRIZE that makes it happen.
These days it would be axe throwing instead of darts .. that could be cool ..
 
I have a tv, and I'm told a computer monitor will work as well - those I have (including a 26").

If you're thinking of using VGA monitors that you already own consider this addition to the karaoke show:

Swicther / Scaler

It will accept all types of video input and scale and/or switch it to a VGA output you can send your 26" PC monitors.
It will even let you do picture-in-picture if you connect a camera for your singers - great if you plan to direct a mix output back to a Zoom or other online platform.

Just $39.00 (I paid $800 and definitely made back my money on it. Original MSRP was $1,395.)
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Some auditoriums and facilities have Cat5 patch panels running from backstage to the front of house, with something like this:

TRX / RCX

you can feed your output over longer distances to FOH where it can be patched into every TV in the facility, like digital signage.

I've used VGA for karaoke for quite sometime because the legacy gear is very powerful but now cheap to buy, and consistent with the aspect ratio of large volumes of classic karaoke content.

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I avoid K-gigs, big time, but have been recording some karaoke tracks at my house (for fun). I never realized it but there's a huge assortment of karaoke tracks available on youtube. Obviously, you can change speed or pitch but still it's amazing how much there is available.
 
... there's a huge assortment of karaoke tracks available on youtube.

Which is why the VALUE proposition for karaoke is no longer the karaoke content or the KJ, but the total experience you can deliver in the form of a karaoke "EVENT."

My greatest successes in karaoke have been: (in order of gross revenue)
  • Rentals that made it EASY for anyone to do karaoke at a level not otherwise readily available (home users, company or private parties, and other DJs)
  • Talent contests sponsored as part of corporate human resource programs (a kind of "American Idol" contest held on site for a period of weeks.)
  • Add-on to a typical DJ gig - being able to add karaoke when requested prevents an otherwise good sale from shopping elsewhere for a DJ.
 
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BTW .. scored a great deal on eBay a week or so ago. Bought the 10 volume Chartbuster Karaoke Essential 450 set (1-10, so 4500 tracks), all on SD cards (factory version) so don't even have to rip them .. $120 for all 10 volumes. Chartbuster was one of the better created karaoke discs, IMO, only Sound Choice was better. I had gotten most of these volumes before .. half on Super CDG and half on 30-disc CDG. This stores much more compactly, so I will sell off the disc versions to make some room. The library is at least 10 years old, though that works for most of the events I do .. I would use Karafun if I had to do something with more contemporary music needs.

Basically this bundle .. https://lightyearmusic.com/products...-or-karaoke-machines-10-free-chartbuster-cdgs
 
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Perhaps you're right but from all the gear I'm seeing for sale I would guess there is at least an equal number getting out as getting in

It would be unwise for any of us to assume a that a mass-exodus (if it exists) means our own businesses would be the out-liar when it comes to expansion. If so many people are leaving the field - it may very indicate the game is over. There does not appear to be anyone in the business world suggesting that DJ & Karaoke will be the upcoming winners in the post "new normal" economy.
 
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It depends on your business model. For some like Taso it wouldn't be worth it for him. Somebody else it might work for them. You have to decide for yourself.
 
I do disco and karaoke and yep its worth it ive just changed from screens on the disco to a tablet in from of singer so its less wiring and can send from laptop to tablet