CDG Files ---What's next?????

[lady20456]

I'm new to karaoke and my question is this: I have approxomiately 25 CDG files and I would like to know in order to get words and music would I have to find the MP3 file to match up with the CDG file to get words and music at the same time?
Thank you!

[jdavia]

I'm new to karaoke and my question is this: I have approxomiately 25 CDG files and I would like to know in order to get words and music would I have to find the MP3 file to match up with the CDG file to get words and music at the same time?

Your question is confusing. But no as I understand the question since they are already CDG's.
First of all you need a CD ROM that is CDG compatible to see the words and hear the music. If you don't have one you will only hear the music from the file when played from the CD ROM.
You only need a MP3 file if you want to create your own CDG by adding the kyrics to it in KHP.
I hope I hit on the right answer.

[lady20456]

My friend's laptop has approx 15 CDG files and when I play the file in window media, I get words accross the screen however, no music in the background. Do I need to find the MP3 files to match with the CDG files to get the music?
Thanks

[Beavis]

in short, theres no program for free that plays cdg on a computer.

you need to purchase Hoster lite and import all those cdg. even if they are on your hard drive.

It converts the (cdg) to a KMA file Hoster can play.

[lady20456]

Originally Posted by Beavis

in short, theres no program for free that plays cdg on a computer.ou need to purchase hpster lite and import all those cdg. even if there on your hard drive.it converts them (cdg) to a file hoster can understand. which is a kma file

Beavis,
Are you saying that Hpster Lite will convert my cdg files into KMA files and will then allow music and words play on my laptop? No other hardward or software will be needed?
Thanks,

[jdavia]

My friend's laptop has approx 15 CDG files and when I play the file in window media, I get words accross the screen however, no music in the background. Do I need to find the MP3 files to match with the CDG files to get the music?

Are you sure they are CDG's from a CD disk, or Midi's with lyrics, (KAR's).
CDG's will play the music in WinAmp but not the words. Just the opposite of what you say.
There is a program called Karaoke Bay and special CD Disks sold at Walmart that you do not need a CDG compatible ROM to play them with. Just install them into the computer with the program called Karaoke Extreme. That is all I know about it though, since I have more the advanced programs by MTU.

I did this modified search for you to help you understand what Karaoke is, and what is needed to play it.

"What is Karaoke?
Karaoke allows you to sing along with the soundtracks to your favorite recording artists. Millions now enjoy Karaoke at home and in clubs and restaurants.

Karaoke is used to describe any sing-a-long track which displays lyrics on a TV or video screen. Usually, a music disc consists of vocals and accompaniment. Music discs in which only the accompaniment is recorded are called "Karaoke CD's or Karaoke Discs."

Do I need a special Karaoke player?
Yes. A karaoke machine is a CD player with the added function of "CD+G graphic output." This allows you to play Karaoke CDG discs in the player and connect the player to your television (or a video monitor) to see the lyrics of the songs as you sing them.

There are Karaoke players available from a variety of manufacturers. Karaoke.com carries a full line of players, ranging from very economical all-in-one players to full professional DJ style systems. Please see the "Karaoke Players" secti"on below for descriptions of different types of players.

What is "CDG"?
"CDG" or "CD+G" stands for "Compact Disc + Graphics". This is the most widely used format for Karaoke music. The discs are identical to to standard CDs (compact discs) yet have the additional graphics track that allows you to read the song lyrics on a connected TV or monitor. As the soundtrack plays on your Karaoke player, the lyrics scroll across the TV in sync with the music, allowing you to sing along to any song!


Karaoke Players
There are several types of Karaoke players, including a computer that you can use to play Karaoke. With a computer you can install all of your CDG disks and play them through various programs like Hoster, MicroStudio, or create your own in KHP from MP3 converted to Wav, saved to KAR after you add the lyrics, then to CDG. All made by MTU.

Common Terms (aka Karaoke Buzz Words)
Karaoke
A Japanese word meaning 'Empty Orchestra', which is used to describe any sing-a-long track which displays lyrics on a TV screen. All karaoke songs are recreated in the style of the original artist.

CDG/CD+G (Compact Disc + Graphics)
5" CD (standard CD size) with graphics which can appear on a TV. Words to the songs appear on a TV screen when the disc is played on a CD+G player and connected to a TV. A CDG Karaoke disc will also play in any standard CD player, except there will be no display of the song lyrics since a CD player cannot read the graphics track. Most DVD player wil NOT play a CDG even if it is a Karaoke DVD player. Makes sure your manual states it can read the CDG or C+Graphics format".

[lady20456]

The extention on the end of the title of the song is: cdg. For exmaple one of the songs on the laptop is : santana smooth.cdg This file is 1,695kb. I'm thinking that this file is lyrics only because if music was added, the file would be much larger. All of the file are around this size. So I guess what i'm trying to find out is do I have karaoke file that contains lyrics only? I even downloaded WINAmp and again, I get words only and no music.
Thanks

[George]

The average CDG file is around 40 to 50MG, so I believe your assumption that you have lyrics only is correct.

George

[Beavis]

is it a cavs file ?

[kayleigh]

Originally Posted by lady20456

I'm new to karaoke and my question is this: I have approxomiately 25 CDG files and I would like to know in order to get words and music would I have to find the MP3 file to match up with the CDG file to get words and music at the same time?
Thank you!

Short answer: Yes, look to see if you can find a file called "santana smooth.mp3" (if the file you have is, as you say, "santana smooth.cdg") - the .mp3 file would have the music to sync up with the .cdg graphics. If the files are in the same directory and you have the WinAmp mp3+g plugin (free), then the music and graphics will be played together.

[lady20456]

This is now starting to make sense. I found Santana smooth.mp3 and downloaded mp3+g plugin to winamp and now I get words and music...One hurdle down and another followed.... I have spent two hours trying to adjust the settings in winamp to get the lyrics to sync with the words. My friends who is trying to help me figure this out as well suggested that I find Karaoke MPS of the songs instead of regular MP3 songs with words. Any thoughts on this.

Thanks,

[George]

Try adjusting your AUDIO HARDWARE ACCELLERATOR. It may or may not be the problem.

Click START, RUN, and type in DXDIAG, then click OK.

Open the SOUND1 tab.

Move the HARDWARE SOUND ACCELLERATION LEVEL slider all the way to the left.

Close out, and then see if the condition improves. If so, you can probably leave the level where it's at and notice no difference in other programs. If any other program does get affected, you can sneak the slider back to the right one notch at a time until all is working as they should.

If this isn't the answer to your problem, just go back in and put the slider back where it was.

George

[Beavis]

is it me, or is this the winamp forum ??


Hoster will import these files and play them correctly.

[George]

Originally Posted by Beavis

is it me, or is this the winamp forum ??

Do you think there's a possibility that helping someone to solve a problem with a standard non-competitive product could create a new MTU customer?

Also consider that since a file was missing, they could have spent the money for HosterLite, and still not be able to play the file. Then what would their attitude towards MTU be?

Isn't it possible that if we get them up and running they'll be even more in the market for HosterLite once they explore it's features and flexibility.

George

[Beavis]

lighten up george.

[jdavia]

This is now starting to make sense.

Now don't let it make too much sense to you about needing a MP3 file to play Karaoke, because if you are going to use any other method to play your CDG files, you don't need the MP3 file to play them. You only need it to use WinAmp. Which isn't the best way to enjoy Karaoke. This should bring the subject back to the topic posted.

[George]

Originally Posted by Beavis

lighten up george.

What's to lighten up? You questioned the direction the thread was taking, and I explained my reason for getting involved in looking for a solution...that's all...nothing heavy that I can see.

George

[jahern]

from lady20456
I have spent two hours trying to adjust the settings in winamp to get the lyrics to sync with the words. My friends who is trying to help me figure this out as well suggested that I find Karaoke MPS of the songs instead of regular MP3 songs with words. Any thoughts on this.

Hoster is becoming more and more adaptable to other formats besides KMA, including mp3+g. As far as I know, mp3+g files exist as two files in the folder. .mp3 file and .cdg file of same exact name. MP3 is the music part, and cdg (not to be confused with the large cdg files extracted by Microstudio or those created by KHPRO) is the words and graphics part. Although some programs may play the song (with the graphics) if the mp3 file is double clicked, and others may play the song if the cdg file is double clicked, both files are needed or something will be wrong.

These two files are created out of the same file. Naturally, if the music is not the same as the original file music, there is going to be a sync problem. Two different song versions are not going to be the exact same length, even though some may come close enough.

There may be other things causing the sync problem, but I think it really goes to joining files that were created from the same original file. You might quit pulling out your hair, because I don't think the problem will be solved by adjusting Winamp

[lady20456]

First of all, as a newbie, I would like to thank everyone who took an additional minute or two out of their time to respond. I know that I enjoy karaoke and I certainly feel that I have found a great site to help me get started with first, basic understanding. I think that George's post has hit it on the head perfectly. If I owned a business, I would instantly without doubts, hire George as my top manager because he understands the basics of getting and keeping new customers. Great job - George! At this point, my efforts are to read, read some more, post and learn. I'm learning and I'm sure that my final destination to obtain karaoke of quality with be with Hoster's products. As an FYI - I did download the demo version of Holster and imported my CDG files which confirmed that my files are text only without music.

I'm sure that you will certainly be hearing more out of me as I enter this wonderful world of pc karaoke.

Thansk!

[nreel]

This is like the Blind leading the Blind.

First of all, a 1 Meg CDG file is just that...the GRAPHICS part of a Karaoke Song.

You are MISSING the "K A R A O K E" MP3 Mating-part.

Second, you CAN'T substitute the ORIGINAL RELEASED VERSION, however converted...MP3, WAV, OGG...whatever, and expect the KARAOKE CDG (Graphics) to be in SYNC with the music...never happen...EVER.

You need to understand that ALL Karaoke Songs are re-Created in the Studios of the K A R A O K E DISC Manufacturers, and, therefore, NOT the Original Songs!!!!!!!!!!

Third, and as far as Hoster goes, there is VERY Little learning to do if you had Karaoke Discs. You would simply let the Hoster Software do all the Work of Importing from Disc. Simple...got disc? Open Hoster, Open Disc Import Window, Insert Disc into CDROM, Select DiscID, READ Trks, Select BookID, Import...DONE.

So, don't make it look like Hoster is the culprit that is making things complicated for you.

What is making Karaoke Complicated for you is the fact that you are trying to figure out how to make ONE Part, of a TWO Part system, work.

Since you have decided to go this route, there is a VERY LARGE LEARNING Curve for you to undertake.

A Karaoke Trk RIPPED from a the Disc explained:
Ripping a TRK from a Karaoke disc will produce either a CDG Trk, which is NOT the CDG part you are talking about, or a BIN Trk, depending on the RIPPING Software you use to RIP the Trk from the Karaoke Disc.

It really doesn't matter because BOTH, the CDG and BIN extensions, are interchangeable.

Either Extension will produce about a 50 MB INDIVIDUAL (meaning ONE) File that has BOTH the ADUIO and the GRAPHICS encoded into that O N E Trk.

However, you MUST have the RIPPED Karaoke Trk in the BIN Format in order to CONVERT the Karaoke Trk to its basic Components.

These TWO Components are the CDG (which is the CDG you have), which is the GRAPHICS part of a Karaoke Trk (NOT TEXT and NO AUDIO) and the WAV, which is the AUDIO part of a Karaoke Trk (No GRAPHICS), which gets FURTHER CONVERTED to its FINAL state...the MP3.

So, you end up with T W O MATING files that, when Played with an MP3 Player that has the ability to process the Graphics for display, you can now HEAR the MP3 and SEE the Graphics.

I hope you, now, understand the dynamics of what you have, what is missing, and what TOOLS to SEARCH for on the WEB to help you deal with these kinds of files.

If not, obtain a Karaoke Disc.