Host without Hoster?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Or they are running illegally and don't have the disks to fall back on.

Which in again, they would have no business running a show in the first place

[muzicman144]

There is no absolutely no way you can run a faster pace show using disc v Hoster. Also, i find it much easier to carry a backup laptop w/hoster than lugging a player and all those disc.

muzicman

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

There is no absolutely no way you can run a faster pace show using disc v Hoster.

Well yea actually it is a fact. I wasn't the typical 1 player host that wouldn't even pull their disc until the current song was done playing. I always had 2 players - 1 playing, 1 cued at the cue points I have listed on every disc/song to eliminate long cue/intro screens or even unecessary long intros example NIB - Black Sabbath gets cued to 1:00 where the actual music starts - eliminating 1 minute of a bass solo - not common but there are many songs with very long intros or silent cue screens. When the singing stopped on the playing disc, I would ask for applause & call up next singer while starting the next disc & fading out old song. Thus eliminating all down time in between.
With Hoster I cannot do that. I still can ask for applause & call up next singer when singing stops, but then I have to turn down the current outro & stop it making for dead air - unless I push up the fill/transition music (another step), & quickly highlight next song & start it & wait for the cue up & intro screen before the music starts since you can't set cue points yet. So yes, running players/discs for me is in fact faster than using Hoster, but I am willing to sacrifice the speed for the convenience & sound - which seems to be better than discs for some odd reason.
Which is why I had requested the 2nd player for Hoster for more like a dj type system or at the very least the crossfade button that would automatically fade out the current song while starting the next at the click of a button (obviously it would need to be a manual button) - like I can do with discs & if the cue points become a reality, then I believe Hoster will be faster than running discs in the manner described .

Also, i find it much easier to carry a backup laptop w/hoster than lugging a player and all those disc.

muzicman

But that wasn't the question at hand

[muzicman144]

I simply read your post and questioned the statement you could still run a show at a faster pace, and, your explanation still shows me you can't. I cue the next song while the current song is playing, it takes less than 3 seconds on average to start the next song. I don't believe you can get one singer down and the next singer up that quickly. Perhaps some other KJ can chip in and explain how the disc is faster than you just did. Not trying to be smart here, but the way you are doing it, according to my understanding, just don't seem to get it the way you explained it.

I guess this becomes the question.

muzicman144

[Lonman]

I simply read your post and questioned the statement you could still run a show at a faster pace, and, your explanation still shows me you can't. I cue the next song while the current song is playing, it takes less than 3 seconds on average to start the next song. I don't believe you can get one singer down and the next singer up that quickly. Perhaps some other KJ can chip in and explain how the disc is faster than you just did. Not trying to be smart here, but the way you are doing it, according to my understanding, just don't seem to get it the way you explained it.

I guess this becomes the question.

muzicman144

Again! It's not a matter of just getting the next song cued up, I have the entire rotation cued up as well, as soon as someone hands me a slip, it goes in the rotation & it's cued in the computer. What I can DO with discs is something that is not able to do in Hoster at this time (at least for a smooth flowing transition and not a lot of abrupt stops of songs or dead air time) with discs, I can cue it up to certain time stamps to eliminate all unecessary aspects ie unnecessary intros, long manu screens before the music, etc.. So if there is 10 seconds of the manufacturer screen before the music starts, I cue it up to 10 seconds. One of my customers gave me a disc that had 20 seconds of manu screen before the music even started. In Hoster, you have to start it where the song starts. So get several songs that have that long cue screen & intros, that adds up time throughout the night - maybe not a lot but I can usually squeeze in 3-4 extra songs per night because of it - may not seem like a big deal, but in a large rotation it could mean getting through my last singers or not.
My singers are trained to get up when I call them or they may miss out their turn - 9 out of 10 times, on occasion I get stragglers, but not for the most part. The second a singer is done singing (words on the screen are over) - I use the rest of that song's outro to praise & get the next singer up. The next singer is usually up & ready BEFORE the outro to the last song is finished - then I fade into the new song, bringing the last song down & bringing the new song up! Another few seconds per song that adds up more time available to another singers time - especially if they are long outros like Comfortably Numb or Freebird. Songs that just end on the last word, well obviously there isn't much difference there, but these types of endings aren't all that common.
I don't know how to explain it any better, you would actually have to see it in action because you obviously don't believe me, but I can assure you, I can run a faster paced show with discs - as a matter of fact that was a concern when I decided to go with Hoster to begin with, it would slow me down & it has, not greatly, but noticeably. Been running karaoke since '92 with multiple players & have become quite speedy with the discs.

[muzicman144]

Thanks for your input. I would like to hear some comments from others on this subject. Dead time is a killer for any type entertainer, and i understand your explanation. I guess when it gets to the point that it's like herding cattle through the loading chute as quickly as possible, the limelight doesn't get to shine very long on your singers. But then, again, i guess i'm missing something. Success is not based on fastest speed in this industry, but i guess i've been at it too long, too successfully, to understand.
Again, thanks for your explanation, and i do understand what you are doing.

muzicman144

[Lonman]

The singers still get their recognition & appluase, if the applause happens to more into it, i'm not going to stop it. Most people applause a little & their done. This is why I have been at the same place 7 nights since '94, people like the style & the fact that I get people up quick without drawing out the night with dead air or excessive host chatter. Our weekends are much busier & if everyone wants a chance to sing the most they can - which is what most are out to do - then they know to be speedy.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Again! It's not a matter of just getting the next song cued up, I have the entire rotation cued up as well, as soon as someone hands me a slip, it goes in the rotation & it's cued in the computer. What I can DO with discs is something that is not able to do in Hoster at this time (at least for a smooth flowing transition and not a lot of abrupt stops of songs or dead air time) with discs, I can cue it up to certain time stamps to eliminate all unecessary aspects ie unnecessary intros, long manu screens before the music, etc.. So if there is 10 seconds of the manufacturer screen before the music starts, I cue it up to 10 seconds. One of my customers gave me a disc that had 20 seconds of manu screen before the music even started. In Hoster, you have to start it where the song starts. So get several songs that have that long cue screen & intros, that adds up time throughout the night - maybe not a lot but I can usually squeeze in 3-4 extra songs per night because of it - may not seem like a big deal, but in a large rotation it could mean getting through my last singers or not.
My singers are trained to get up when I call them or they may miss out their turn - 9 out of 10 times, on occasion I get stragglers, but not for the most part. The second a singer is done singing (words on the screen are over) - I use the rest of that song's outro to praise & get the next singer up. The next singer is usually up & ready BEFORE the outro to the last song is finished - then I fade into the new song, bringing the last song down & bringing the new song up! Another few seconds per song that adds up more time available to another singers time - especially if they are long outros like Comfortably Numb or Freebird. Songs that just end on the last word, well obviously there isn't much difference there, but these types of endings aren't all that common.
I don't know how to explain it any better, you would actually have to see it in action because you obviously don't believe me, but I can assure you, I can run a faster paced show with discs - as a matter of fact that was a concern when I decided to go with Hoster to begin with, it would slow me down & it has, not greatly, but noticeably. Been running karaoke since '92 with multiple players & have become quite speedy with the discs.

Yes, but I have people all the time verbally changing their mind, and sometimes right before their turn. I always say "No problem", in between songs I have a backup laptop playing pictures or videos, so there is never any dead time. Without hoster I could never do the above and make a show faster.

I agree with muzic man.

[Joe Nieves]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Well yea actually it is a fact. I wasn't the typical 1 player host that wouldn't even pull their disc until the current song was done playing. I always had 2 players - 1 playing, 1 cued at the cue points I have listed on every disc/song to eliminate long cue/intro screens or even unecessary long intros example NIB - Black Sabbath gets cued to 1:00 where the actual music starts - eliminating 1 minute of a bass solo - not common but there are many songs with very long intros or silent cue screens. When the singing stopped on the playing disc, I would ask for applause & call up next singer while starting the next disc & fading out old song. Thus eliminating all down time in between.
With Hoster I cannot do that. I still can ask for applause & call up next singer when singing stops, but then I have to turn down the current outro & stop it making for dead air - unless I push up the fill/transition music (another step), & quickly highlight next song & start it & wait for the cue up & intro screen before the music starts since you can't set cue points yet. So yes, running players/discs for me is in fact faster than using Hoster, but I am willing to sacrifice the speed for the convenience & sound - which seems to be better than discs for some odd reason.
Which is why I had requested the 2nd player for Hoster for more like a dj type system or at the very least the crossfade button that would automatically fade out the current song while starting the next at the click of a button (obviously it would need to be a manual button) - like I can do with discs & if the cue points become a reality, then I believe Hoster will be faster than running discs in the manner described

Hey Lonman

You Know You're Stuff

You're absolutely correct I have a Cav's two disc player and can run a faster show then Hoster and for the same reasons you mention, but prefer not to log all the equipment and disc around any more.

Keeping it lite is all right and by the way the only thing that comes close is VDJ it has two virtual turn tables and you can listen and assign que points on deck "B" before play and do the same thing on deck "A" while deck "B" is playing.

The only set back is you'll need to keep a separate zip file folder of your songs because it can't play .Kma files, but does a geart job to the points you made and it also weighs a lot less.

So No, I would not cansel a show because of problems with Hoster or bring my CD's & Player.

My Insurance Policy

I'd use VDJ to do the show as I discovered as a result of losing a very Hot good paying Gig because of problems with Hoster program.

Another Just In Case Thing, I bring my iPod already to go, just plug it in to my M-Audio NRV10 mixer and let ur rip.

The iPod software also has que points for eash song you can preset and create a PlayList including Video Karaoke.

You'll have to buy a conversion program for Karaoke but there is a lot of power and functionality to this small device.

I also carry an additional 160 Gig hard drive to swap out the lapTop loaded with VDJ and zip files to run a complete show including Videos while the ipod is running.



Joe....

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

Hey Lonman

You Know You're Stuff

You're absolutely correct I have a Cav's two disc player and can run a faster show then Hoster and for the same reasons you mention, but prefer not to log all the equipment and disc around any more.

Keeping it lite is all right and by the way the only thing that comes close is VDJ it has two virtual turn tables and you can listen and assign que points on deck "B" before play and do the same thing on deck "A" while deck "B" is playing.

The only set back is you'll need to keep a separate zip file folder of your songs because it can't play .Kma files, but does a geart job to the points you made and it also weighs a lot less.

So No, I would not cansel a show because of problems with Hoster or bring my CD's & Player.

My Insurance Policy

I'd use VDJ to do the show as I discovered as a result of losing a very Hot good paying Gig because of problems with Hoster program.

Another Just In Case Thing, I bring my iPod already to go, just plug it in to my M-Audio NRV10 mixer and let ur rip.

The iPod software also has que points for eash song you can preset and create a PlayList including Video Karaoke.

You'll have to buy a conversion program for Karaoke but there is a lot of power and functionality to this small device.

I also carry an additional 160 Gig hard drive to swap out the lapTop loaded with VDJ and zip files to run a complete show including Videos while the ipod is running.



Joe....

I see Joe, I think the original question was intended to mean if all computers were unavailable and you were left with a disc player and discs, would you load em and go with a smile or just hire your backup guy to cover for you that night. I'd stay home and work on the computer problem those four hours instead. Always good to share the workload once in a while. Every time I do return from a vacation, ALL regulars and non-regulars ALWAYS say to me "Man, am I glad you're back, the other guy's a nice guy but he jusrt doesn't have the functionality you have".

[muzicman144]

Using two karaoke players could possibly be faster than one Hoster. But if you want to keep it "lite", get two Hosters, lighter, less to carry, and i guarantee you two Hosters programs is faster than two karaoke player with disc. I agree to disagree.
muzicman

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

Using two karaoke players could possibly be faster than one Hoster. But if you want to keep it "lite", get two Hosters, lighter, less to carry, and i guarantee you two Hosters programs is faster than two karaoke player with disc. I agree to disagree.
muzicman

Yep two laptops with a version of Hoster will do exactly the same as two players! I tried it last night!!!!
I did have to recalculate cue times as Hoster counts back, other than that...

[Joe Nieves]

Hi Bryant

Yah I know But the question posed was not to realistic in today's world with so many options available and besides I gave an honest real life experience answer that in the final analysis I believe provides a benefit to an alternative to that fundamental Question.

In my case I'm mobile doing shows from clubs, restaurants, dance halls party's weddings so I need to travel lite.

Ok So you need an Up or Down answer Right.

If my computer Didn't work would I use my CD's I would have to say YES.


Thanks
Joe....

[bryant]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

There is no absolutely no way you can run a faster pace show using disc v Hoster. Also, i find it much easier to carry a backup laptop w/hoster than lugging a player and all those disc.

muzicman

I agree, I keep the backup discs in the truck with the player and bring in a backup laptop. I would cancel and find a replacement. This is not my main job, have another, and I would simply call in sick, although I never had in either Hosting or my real job. People around here have gotten so used to my system with Hoster, videos, pictures, quick songfinding, nearly paperless(80% anyway), that I would settle on giving them less anymore.