home karaoke set up

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robphelan

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Aug 28, 2003
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I want to set up some sort of karaoke system for the wife and I'd like to have something nice. We don't have/want a console gaming system to run it.

I've seen some cheapy machines online... also, I saw someone on craigslist selling a harddrive full of CD+G music (i'm sure it's not legit) and i'm a bit confused on how that works.

From what I understand, you can output the karaoke software from your laptop/htpc to the TV. Do you just hook up the microphone to your home entertainment receiver?

Any suggestions on how to go about this? she's a great singer so I'd like to have something nice for her.
 

jtvang125

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Nov 10, 2004
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You have several choices.

1. All in one machines. Single unit that has a small screen, CD or DVD player, mic inputs and speaker. Plays CD+G and DVD karaoke discs.

2. Set top DVD player with karaoke. Basically a dvd player that has mic inputs. Plays CD+G discs and DVD karaoke discs. Can be easily connected to your HT system.

3. MagicMic. All in one wireless unit where songs are stored on a chip that plugs into the mic. Buy new chips with new songs.

4. There are numerous karaoke software for the pc but a free one I use is Winamp with MP3+G plugin. You can use the mic input on the PC but it's hard to control volume and echo so I recommend a karaoke mixer between the PC and receiver. My mixer comes with wireless mics.
 

robphelan

Diamond Member
Aug 28, 2003
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You have several choices.

1. All in one machines. Single unit that has a small screen, CD or DVD player, mic inputs and speaker. Plays CD+G and DVD karaoke discs.

2. Set top DVD player with karaoke. Basically a dvd player that has mic inputs. Plays CD+G discs and DVD karaoke discs. Can be easily connected to your HT system.

3. MagicMic. All in one wireless unit where songs are stored on a chip that plugs into the mic. Buy new chips with new songs.

4. There are numerous karaoke software for the pc but a free one I use is Winamp with MP3+G plugin. You can use the mic input on the PC but it's hard to control volume and echo so I recommend a karaoke mixer between the PC and receiver. My mixer comes with wireless mics.


let's say option 4 - are you talking about a mixer like this http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=SPM3174746102 ?

So you run video from the PC to the TV, then audio to the mixer to the home entertainment system?

EDIT: what mixers would you recommend? I don't need something high end, but I'd like it to be decent.

EDIT2: that Hisonic had 2 poor reviews on amazon.
 
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jtvang125

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Nov 10, 2004
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jt, do you have ballpark $ estimates for the different options?

If you're not looking for anything professional then the hardware isn't that much. About $60-80 will get you a good mixer. It's buying all the discs that's expensive.


let's say option 4 - are you talking about a mixer like this http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=SPM3174746102 ?

So you run video from the PC to the TV, then audio to the mixer to the home entertainment system?

EDIT: what mixers would you recommend? I don't need something high end, but I'd like it to be decent.

EDIT2: that Hisonic had 2 poor reviews on amazon.

Yep, that's pretty much it. I think I picked one of those Hisonic awhile back and it died shortly after. And I didn't even use it that much. I'd go wireless cause its much more convenient. I think mine is a philips. Not too sure what model since I just got it as a gift. It's been great so far. Antennas are a bit fragile but SQ is good and no dropout of the mics.
 

robphelan

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Aug 28, 2003
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Thanks! I think this is all coming together.

Previously, I built a touchscreen jukebox and it's hooked up to my receiver. it's laptop based inside an old wooden school school desk.

Currently, it has ports for RCA out and 1 USB in. I'll need to add some sort of video out to the TV and re-route the RCA cables to the mixer, then to the receiver.

So, it looks like i just need to pick up a mixer, load the software (i'll try WinAmp + the plug in first) and find some music.

thanks a ton for your input.

EDIT: I just realized i already have video out from my laptop to my touchscreen.. so i need to buy some sort of splitter to output to the TV as well.
 
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robphelan

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Aug 28, 2003
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doing more research, I do see set top boxes that play CD+G with USB ports... but I would really like to find one that will play MP3+G from the USB port (ideally from a large HDD).

nothing so far.. will continue to look as this would be the easiest technology for the wife to handle.
 

robphelan

Diamond Member
Aug 28, 2003
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OK.. i decided on buying this mixer - http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Mini...QK2RQNXB64FHEA

and a couple of mics.

I'll be able to capitalize on the touchscreen jukebox (powered by my old laptop) I already have connected to my home theater system. I bought a VGA Y-splitter (one to my touchscreen and the other to my LCD TV).

My next question is how do you keep your mp3+g files organized? I plan to use Winamp with the karaoke plugin.. but how do you store the files and do they appear in Winamp with the actual ID3 tags?
 

funks

Golden Member
Nov 9, 2000
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Here's the setup if you are serious and want to please the Wife..

1) BMB DX-3000 Mixer (it has a remote, and controls to prevent people from turning the volumes to the max and blowing your stuff up)..
1) Carvin UX-16 Wireless Microphone (because corded sucks, people step on the and trip especially during parties).
1) Pair of RCF ART-312a Powered PA Speakers <- Proper Speakers are important.. Don't try doing Karaoke with your Home Theater speakers, you'll blow them up.
1) Pair of XLR Cables
1) CAVS IPS-11G
1) 64GB USB KEY (Transcend 64GB JetFlash USB 2.0 FLash Drive TS64GJ500)

You can stuff around 25,000 songs (MP3+G) in that USB KEY. The CAVS is great, it has a MENU setup called INXMENU which gives the singer a straightforward UI to select songs (plug in 4-digit code from the Songbook). Can search via Song Title, or Singer too. It does play MP3+MCG files though (easy to convert CD+G's, or MP3+G's to MCG+MP3) to said format with the MCGManager program. MCG's are just compressed .CDG files making it take up a lot less space.

If the songs your wifey wants to sing is primarily in english, then I suggest sticking to MP3+G (or CD+G) Karaoke. Much better Quality (has background singers and such) than that MIDI sounding Magic Mic BS. If your significant other is Filipina though, might not have a lot of options - lol. Not very many Filipino songs in CDG, or MP3+G format.

If your wife really loves singing and you want to get laid 3x a week, get her this setup - lol. As for songs, you buy MP3+G Karaoke Songs from the following

KaraokeDownloads.ca

Stick to "ZOOM", "CHARTBUSTER", "SUNFLY" brand.. Sound Choice has the best sound quality out of all the Karaoke Brands - they don't release CD+G's anymore but you can buy their rebranded MP3+G tracks from

www.thekaraokechannel.com

Karaoke-Setup.jpg
 
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