Where to get MP3+G's

[jimbo]

Mindonstrike hit the nail on the head. It's a licensing issue. Karaoke is considered to have two parts. The music and then the graphics (or lyrics). The music is able to license for downloads, the sync graphics are not (well they could be, but not at a reasonable cost). It's cheaper to go with a custom CDG. How Cavs does it, I don't know. Could be because it is a proprietary format.

One option is to go ahead and buy the minus track from MSN music, iTunes, walmart, or where ever, convert it to a .wav file, then use KPro to graphic it yourself. Once you get the hang of KPro you can graphic a song in about 15 minutes. But then you've just altered what you bought and, according to some, legally can't use it in a show (especially since the rights to display the lyrics haven't been secured). I'm not a legal expert so you'd have to check with an attorney before using it in a show. Technically, doing your own recorded tracks from a midi and using that at a show is also illegal because licenses haven't been paid and you are making a profit from it.

Jimbo

[Beavis]

what if your registered with (and pay) BMI & ASCAP ?

[jimbo]

BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, all have to do with public performance rights, not recording or lyric rights. Once you record something then it goes to a different right. Hal Leonard and the music publishers are the ones that control the rights to record, re-record, be a cover band and record yourself, and print the lyrics, including on the T.V. screen. The karaoke companies don't pay BMI or ASCAP except for the regular fees for playing music on hold messages etc, or unless they have their own bar or venue which is open to the public.