Newbie to Computerize Karaoke songs

[chatrobot]

Hi,
I am not a KJ or anything but love sing Karaoke. I recently started import all my Karakoe songs into my laptop and hope I can play my Karaoke songs from computer. I do have my own Karaoke player that hooked up with my stereo and TV. What do I need in order to play my Kaaraoke songs from my computer and still be able to sing using my mic? My laptop is a regular IBM thinkPad 31 that does not have S-vidoe port. I run XP on my laptop.

If anyone can give me some idea how do I hook up my computer to my existing Karaoke system that will be great.

[jahern]

You're really getting into the realm of Hoster.

I wrote most of this post thinking in terms of Microstudio since your setup sounded personal. If you just want to use your monitor to view and use your stereo, via your "Karaoke Player" you should be able to use Microstudio. If by "Karaoke Player" you are talking about a machine, I think you will have an input option where you can select sound coming from your computer. Your mikes should work normally and your output could go to a stereo.

MICROSTUDIO HAS A PLAYING PROBLEM HOWEVER. Microstudio will clip the endings off songs. This may seem random as it doesn't happen very often, but it is actually predictable and consistent based on the amount of runoff time a song has after the music stops. From what I hear, Hoster, does not have this playing problem.

That's a quick answer. Admittedly, I may have misinterpreted some of your facts and need clarification.

[George]

CHATROBOT,

If you're talking a lot of tracks over a period of time, you well might want to consider Hoster, as Jahern suggested.

Imported to the hard drive through Microstudio, each CDG track is approximately 40 to 50 MG. per song. That's a lot of space. At that rate approx. 1.5 gigs for 30 tracks, or two average 15 track cdg's.

Hoster compresses to an average of 4 to 5 Mg. per song. That's around 200 tracks per gig.

That's a decision you're going to have to make, but one way or another you're probably looking at a further investment of a LARGER hard drive, or Hoster.

Just some more thoughts for you to consider.

Agree with Jahern, more info is needed regarding your equipment to be of much help.

Take care,

George

[chatrobot]

Thank you folks to taking time anwer my question. I guess I did not make myself clear enough. I do have both Hoster and K4studio that includes Microstudio, vogone, keyrite. Right now I am using Hoster to import all my discs to hard drive as KMA format. I plan to use Hoster to play back from my computer. What I am wondering is that, without spending extra bucks, how can I hook up my laptop to my existing home karaoke system? My Karaoke system is a home entertainment version that consists of a Karaoke player, an amplifier, a TV and speakers. Since my laptop does not have S-video output I will not be able to hook up to TV directly. But I do have LCD monitor which I can hook up my laptop with. Since I run XP on my laptop I think I can use the virturl screen feature within XP to display lyric screen on LCD monitor and play list screen on my laptop screen. The question I have is how do I hook up my laptop with my sound system without buying additional hardware?

One simple thought is to use a Y cable that plug into the headset jack on my laptop and plug into my amplifer with the Y cable that has RCA connector. Then the question becomes how to I connect microphone in order to sing? Currently, the mic is connect to the Karaoke player. If I use computer as karaoke player then where do I plug in my mics? Not on my computer that is for sure. Not into my amplifier either as I do not think it will work either. I know that if I spend some bucks to get a USB audio interface and connect it to my laptop that might do the trick or if I go get a mixer or some sort. Then that means I have to spend more bucks which I would rather not. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[jahern]

Quote:
...If I use computer as karaoke player then where do I plug in my mics? Not on my computer that is for sure.

Actually, I am not sure that this option is not available. A typical sound card will allow simultaneous playback of Both the Microphone and Wave (or some other equivalent setting which governs Microstudio (and I imagine Hoster) I haven't tried this but I don't see why you could not use the Mic plugged into the computer, use your Y line from the sound card to a stereo and bypass any other Karaoke player that you have as long as you are using your monitor and not trying to power up the TV

Let me know what happens.


Sorry about the double-entry everybody :e I thought I was editing and must not have been paying attention!

[djmadmaxx]

you need to get a mixer for the mics. No one should ever use the crappy mic inputs on a karaoke player.. they sound awful. Buy a mackie cfx or dfx mixer.. you'll love it. you can plug the laptop audio into it as well with a 1/8" stereo to 1/4" cable into one of the stereo channels.

[jahern]

Quote:

Buy a mackie cfx or dfx mixer.. you'll love it.

What brand are you talking about and how much are the mixers?

[djmadmaxx]

The MACKIE dfx series runs under $300.00, the CFX Series (i have the CFX12) runs about $600.00 www.pssl.com

[chatrobot]

Thanks guys. I end up buying a SoundBlaster MP3+ USD audio interface. this cost me $40. This device comes with the RCA input and output jacks which I can use to directly connect to my amplify and also comes with mic jack that I can plug my mic in. I think this will work for home entertainment purpose. I have not actually hook up to my stereo system yet. Will let you know what the outcome is. I know buying a mixer will definitely solve my problem but I am not sure if I am ready to spend $300 yet. Maybe later when I have more cash to spend I will upgrade. :r

[George]

CHATROBOT,

When the time comes you may want to go to a mixer you might want to take a look at the Peavey RQ200 six channel Mini Console.

I use it in the home whenever I host our private Karaoke Club meetings There's seven of us, and my wife and I use cordless and the other 5 use mikes through the mixer. I manually mix the cordless mikes into the group with the gain controls on the cordless receiver. That leaves us a spare on the Peavey mixer for any guest somebody might want to invite.

Went in to all that so's you'd get an idea of what you can do with one should others get involved in singing with you down the road..

It sells for $199. At least that's what my local store sold it to me for, and they're not known for their generosity, so I guess that's the going price ...dunno.

Does everything we need on a non-commercial level.

Take care,

George

[chatrobot]

Thank you George for the info. Where do you get your mixer? What kind of store you go? Perhaps I can check on line to see if I can find it.

By the way, I tried out MP3+ on my laptop and hook into stereo system. It works!! :w
Well, I have to admit this is the poor man version, but worth the experience. Now I can start thinking about more expensive stuff if I really want to go fancy.

[George]

What matters is that you are enjoying what you are doing with whatever resourses you have.

I never try to keep up with the Jonses, I find it's much cheaper to drag them down to my level :g

Anyway, I got the mixer at a local music store. You know, the kind that carries instruments, amps, etc. and caters to musicians. I'd imagine it's available on line.


Have fun,

George

[littlekjgirl]

hi, im new to pc karaoke too but i was wondering about the mackie speakers! I have peavys right now but i need something more compact cuzz i'm small, well 105 lbs and 5 foot tall :g and it is so hard to drag these things around. How do the mackie spearkers sound? I want something with a lot of power and have no distortion and good clear sound and good thump! :)

[lirics]

Hey LITTLEKJGIRL, how about JBL EON's (the non-powered
verions) They sounds great and only weight 38lb each
are very light and compact.

..just a though...

[djmadmaxx]

the mackies are great, but you should try the even better CARVin PM15A's. they are awesome. www.carvin.com

[Nitecat]

I use the JBL Eon's non-powered myself. Have four of them and they have a great warranty from JBL. I switched from Peavey's for the exact reason you are saying.

[littlekjgirl]

thanks everyone replying, I will check both speakers out.......cuzz one of these days im gonna get squished!:w

[Flipeoke]

Also check out Yorkville speakers, they have powered versions such as:

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=29&cat=22&id=257

weighing under 50 lbs... and great sound too!

Flip

[littlekjgirl]

What about the b52 set up in the prosound magazine i think there web site is pssl.com! Two tops and a bottom?

[Karaoke John]

In answer to chatrobot's ? It really depends on how much you want to spend.
Sounds like the interface will work, you can probably hook into your home stereo I know I have done that for years. Both playing disks and now using Hoster. I have a pioneer sx 780 receiver and hook my laptop into that for the music I also have a bookshelf Jvc karaoke system that I use for my microphones. In my basement for practice It sounds just fine.
For Kj'ing I have two different sound systems One is a Yamaha EMX 660, 600 watts at 4 ohms I use two peavey Black widow 12 in floor monitors for mains and Cgm 12 in floor monitors for singers. The other is a Peavey F 696 1200 watts at 4 ohms I use two Yamaha 15 in Mark IV series club speakers for Mains and Two Peavey Black widow 15 in floor monitors for singers. Both systems sound great. Lots of power and flexibility.
I can hook my Sony Vaio Laptop into any of the systems mentioned above and using hoster Have a great show or practice etc. You don't have to go overboard to have great sound. I'm a little compulsive and did not like having to cart the yamaha sound system to work with me and back home each time I use it. I do karaoke at my job for patients in the hospital I work at once a week. I use the peavey system for Karaoke Gigs away from work. I use the Pioneer receiver and 4 speakers along with the microphone set up described above to practice with. If I sound good on it then I sound really good when I use the two Pro audio systems. There is all kinds of different ways to go, "The Sky is The Limit". You just have to find what works best for You, and Have Fun.
John

[BooBoo]

As others have said, it really depends on what you want to spend. I started out plugging a cheap mic into a JVC player and I am now up to a Shure Beta mic, a shure SM58 and a BOSE PAS system. I also still use a Beheringer mixer just because I love the digital effects and the 3D surround it provides. The sound is incredible. BTW, I am not a KJ for say.. Never been paid anyway. Just get together with friends and KJ the party.
Anyway, my point is the equipment makes a huge difference because the more truth you hear as feedback the better the vocal adjustments will be made. Someone meantioned Carvin and I would second that. I have quite a bit of carvin equipment that I really don't use now due to the PAS, but the Carvin equipent does a very good job. The best thing about Carvin is you buy direct and cut out the middle man. As DJMADMAX said, the Carvin PM15A's are a fantastic quality and value. I have two CARVin PM15's (The passive version of the PM15a) and they sound awesome. The Carvin amps are one of the best quality/value buys as well.

Of course the PAS blows anything I've ever heard away. I got it mainly due to not having to lug a bunch of equipment around, but the reproduction is out of this world. Almost anyone sounds at least good on this thing and good singers sound awesome. This thing is a KJs best friend...

So having said all this, let's get back to what someone wants to spend. I've gone through lots of equipment and lots of money for this reason or that to finally end up with a PAS. At $2000 for a PAS, I would have saved a ton if I just bit the bullet and bought it in the first place... So it's good to have a pretty good idea of where you want to go before you start buying..

[BooBoo]

Sounds like the interface will work, you can probably hook into your home stereo I know I have done that for years. John

I wouldn't really recommend running a mic through a home system or TV. They are not designed for hot signals like those produced by mics.

You can probably get by at really low volumes, but you run a good chance of blowing the high freq drivers if you turn it up at all...

[Karaoke John]

As I said in a earlier post I have used my Karaoke Machine with my Home stereo for yr's 10 to be exact with no problems. This is just for home use which is what Chatrobot was talking about. Now I hook my laptop up to the Stereo and Sing through the Karaoke machine which has 30 watts per side which in my basement is plenty loud. For other Gigs I use either a yamaha EMX 660 or Peavey 696 F. with either 12 in speakers or 15 in Speakers.
In looking back on Chatrobots entry He could go with a non powered mixer Yamaha, and Samson both make a 4 to 6 input that runs around $100.00, I would check with Musicians Freind, Sam Ash, Guitar Center or local music Store and Pawn Shops for best price. That way he could hook up both Lap top and Microphones and run into his stereo.
As far as hooking up TV They make VGA adapters or if he has a RCA Video Out he could possibly hook up to RCA video port. It there is none on his TV he could use a RF adapter and hook into the cableport, Check local Radio Shack The have all kinds of soulutions. Since he did not specify what video outputs he has its hard to give a solution. I would keep it simple and use what you have till the need to upgrade comes.

John:)

[MimiLee]

Also Check out the Fender Passport 250-I have used it for almost 2 years with great success. The speakers and mixer/amp weigh a little over 50 lbs and are connected for easy transportation. You could take them apart and mose them separately (speakers 12 lbs each and amp around 30 lbs) $7-800 for the 250 and a 150 is also available.

[Karaoke John]

I had a Fender Passport 250 til it blew up in the middle of a gig:m . When I went to have it fixed fender said it would cost around $800.00 which was $200.00 more than I paid for it I used the money to buy a peavey 1200 watt mixer amp. I guess I wouldn't be a good source for recommending Fender passport systems:g .

John

[Glen Goergen]

[QUOTE=littlekjgirl]thanks everyone replying, I will check both speakers out.......cuzz one of these days im gonna get squished!:w[/QUOTE
Hi :)
The only real solution is to find some 6 ft hulk that will worship the ground you walk on, do as he/she is told and will love lugging all your equipment for you.
And support you as well :g
And of course agree to keep all his/her emotional baggage to them selves:)

Sorry just couldn't resist:g

Warmest regards

Glen <~~~~~~Available :w