[nreel]

Greetings,

If you use MTU Computer based software to run your show, you will neither have to manually get a Disc and place it in a Karaoke machine to queue a Singers’ song nor remove the Disc after the Singer has finished. Why is this important? Several reasons that I can think of are, and, I’m sure I haven’t covered them all:
1. Many CLUB environments are dark (subdued lighting) making it hard to see the very small numbers placed on Discs and, therefore, a PAIN to find and Queue Discs.
2. Each time you handle a Disc you take the chance of damaging it.
3. Unless you keep your Discs in the Jewell Cases, each time you buy a Disc, and that Disc needs to be sequenced into your current collection, you will have to SHIFT all your CD’s to accommodate sequential order (THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE PAIN, for me).
4. If there are NO Discs out…NONE CAN BE STOLEN. You can comfortably LEAVE your KJ station to work the crowd and NOT need to worry about Discs coming up missing. This, especially, applies to PARTIES. Home Parties will become a BLAST for you because you will NO LONGER need to “baby-sit” your Discs/System.
5. If you are comfortable about repairing Computers, then, I suspect you will be more willing to repair a Computer than repairing a PROPRIETARY Karaoke Player…which most, I suspect, would not attempt.

If you already have an amplifier, just buy an adapter that adapts the OUTPUT of you Computers AUDIO to the AUDIO INPUT: ex. AUX IN, TAPE IN, CD IN, etc. (Red/White - Right/Left Audio Channels) of your Amplifier or Mixer. This adapter is available at Radio Shack P/N 42-2551 (Y-Adapter Audio Cable)(Two phono plugs to one 1/8” stereo plug).

Equipment is always a source of contention in the Karaoke world…no doubt.

Obviously, in both systems, either a Traditional Karaoke System or Computer based Karaoke system; you will need an Amplifier, Mixer, Speakers, Speaker Stands, and Microphones…no matter what.

Amplifiers – Combination Amplifier/Mixer (Most “Starting KJ’s” will go with this type of unit)
UPSIDE:
1. This Amplifier is a combination unit that includes a mixer (Amplifier/Mixer all in one).
2. Versatile in that you only have ONE piece of hardware.
3. Usually has VOCAL EFFECTS built-in.
4. Usually has more than one LINE inputs for additional equipment as a DUAL CD PLAYER (for background music between Karaoke singers/dance music).
5. Somewhat inexpensive, depending on POWER RATING.
6. Microphone inputs and controls, since a mixer is integral.

DOWNSIDE:
1. Limited number of VOCAL EFFECTS built-in.
2. Limited number of LINE inputs.
3. Basic units are very limited on the number of Microphone Inputs and Controls.
4. If any part goes bad (Amp or Mixer Section) you will need to send the complete unit in for repair.

Amplifiers – Stand alone

1. Minimum 200W, preferably 1000W

Mixers – I like to think that this is where the action takes place!
The mixer is where the Microphones connect. You need a STEREO Mixer with, a minimum of, 4-Microphone Channel INPUTS (Preferably 8-Channel). Excellent Mixers give complete control over the Microphones. Many less expensive mixers DO NOT have GAIN controls to compensate for POOR Microphone usage. Since Microphone usage can “make-or-break” a singers’ performance, a GREAT Mixer, along with an attentive KJ, can turn an UNBELIEVABLY bad performance, into each Singers BEST performance. The more Bells and Whistles on a Mixer…the better. One can “get by” with a low powered AMP, but you need a GREAT Mixer.

If you go with a separate Amplifier and separate Mixer, you may want to consider adding a STEREO VOCAL EFFECTS processor (it is well worth the money to have STEREO).

Hope this helps,
Norm