KARAOKE CYCLOPAEDIA

If you are looking for a karaoke machine, the growing popularity of karaoke in recent years has provided you with an abundance of choices. You now have choices in the type of machine, different features, many accessories, and a huge price range. In an effort to put aside some of the confusion, let’s look at the top four karaoke machines in the market today.

1. The Microphone/Karaoke Machine

This is a handy, but very limited type of karaoke machine. Generally what you will find here is a microphone pre-loaded with about three dozen songs. You can also load it with additional MP3 song downloads. It plugs into your television, but there is no way to read any lyrics for your songs. So you get the background music to sing your karaoke, but not the lyrics.

2. MP3 Player/Ipod-style Karaoke Machine

This one is like your own personal little karaoke machine. The way it works is that it uses MP3 downloads. You input the music and the song lyrics into the machine. Then, the software lets you take off the original voice track.

You can now record your own voice over the music. You can also read the lyrics on your screen. Even though this one is small, there are some advantages to it. You can play any song as long as you can find an MP3 download for it, including brand new song releases that have not yet made their way to the karaoke CDs.

3. Portable All-In-One Karaoke Machine

This type of karaoke machine is one unit which includes the karaoke machine, the speakers, and the monitor. Variations in this style include monitor screens as small as 5 inches all the way up to a full-fledged 14 inch TV.

Some of them have a small video camera built in so that you can record your whole video show, not just the audio portion. You can hook up the ones with a video camera to your VCR and TV, and make a recording of your show. Even though this portable karaoke machine is considered all-in-one, it generally does not include any inbuilt karaoke songs.

You need to build your library of karaoke CDs to use in it. Plus, the larger ones are not as easily portable as the smaller ones. As with any style, there are advantages and disadvantages to these. And as the features vary so greatly, it is always a good idea to compare similar styles for specific features you are searching for.

4. TV Hook-Up Style Karaoke Machine

Some karaoke machines have the workings of the karaoke part in the machine, but then use your TV for the monitor (for the lyrics) and the speakers. Again, individual styles vary. Some of these can be very bulky. One of the most popular though, The SongStation Karaoke Machine, is the size of a DVD player.

Another variation is in the song selections. Most models of this style of karaoke machine require separate karaoke CDs, meaning you must build up your library to have songs to play. However, The SongStation Karaoke Machine includes 53,000 inbuilt songs.

In this category, for the nicest, most versatile system, with a long list of features, The SongStation Karaoke Machine is the ultimate in karaoke machine technology. However, you will find that it is also one of the best values you will find anywhere.

So you’ve decided to buy your own karaoke machine! One of the most important questions to consider, when looking to purchase a karaoke machine, is: “How will I build my karaoke song library?” Our suggestion is to simply get a karaoke machine with in built songs! Why?

You Save Money

If you end up with a system where you need to purchase separate disks for every song, just think of the expense involved in obtaining an adequate number of songs! These separate disks vary in cost from $10 to $20 each! You are looking at over $1,000 for only a hundred disks!

You Get A Large Selection of Songs Instantly

And is 100 disks even enough? What if you want to have a party? A karaoke machine with in built songs gives you an extensive library of karaoke songs instantly, the moment you purchase the machine! No laboring over building a library piece by piece! No spending thousands of dollars to build your library the hard way.

There is another thing to think about, also. Different types of karaoke machines use different types of karaoke song disks. For example, some of them use DVDs. Some of them use CDGs. But very few of them will be able to play both kinds. If you end up changing machines, you may find yourself starting from scratch in building your library again. Ouch!

You Save Time

Another reason you may want to consider a karaoke machine with in built songs is simply for the ease of organization. When you are using karaoke song disks, you will always have to be looking through all the disks for each and every song. Reorganizing the disks will be a constant job. If you keep a hard copy song list available for your guests, you will also need to remember to update it every time you get another disk.

When you want to take your karaoke player with you, if you have disks, you need to load up your entire library. Then you need to keep track of them all so you get them all back home again.

With all this constant rummaging through and organizing your disks, when do you have the time to just enjoy your karaoke machine?

You Save Space

Having a library of disks also takes up space. Think of how much room your DVDs and CDs already take up. Do you really want to bring in hundreds more to add to the clutter?

It’s Easy and Convenient

When you have a karaoke machine with in built songs, you get a lot of advantages that add to the ease and convenience of using your karaoke machine. You can find and choose your songs with a couple of clicks on your remote control. You always have every song available. Your song list is always up to date. You don’t have to keep track of hundreds of disks. Such ease and convenience adds value to your karaoke machine because you enjoy it so much more!

There is one karaoke machine with in built songs that we highly recommend. The SongStation Karaoke Machine comes with an instant library of 53,000 songs - the largest collection of karaoke songs on the planet! You just can’t get any better than this.

In addition to the huge song selection, this karaoke machine is high quality, has a host of fun features most other karaoke machines don’t have, will also play any other type of disk you already have, and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. The value is unbeatable! Check it out for yourself, and see if it doesn’t make more sense to you to get a karaoke machine with in built songs.

First you have probably been to a lot of karaoke bars and parties and noticed the difference in the music. If you are becoming a karaoke fan you have probably inquired into this, and found out it has to do with the different companies that produce the discs.

Being as the background music isn’t the original artists, this is where the difference comes in. Now when it comes time to purchase your karaoke machine you are going to have to decide on the type of discs you are going to play. You are going to be faced with a choice as some handle CDGs or CD+G or just plain karaoke song DVDs.

You need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantage of these, when you are making your decision. Actually some with have built in music while others use Mp3s. Check around with your friends who have karaoke machines and see what type of discs they play. If you find a variety of them to check out, it will help you choose which method you like the most.

Features are another issue that is going to be important to you and a lot will depend on what you are going to be using it form. Sort of keep an open mind here, because you may have intentions for using it for one thing, then down the road start adding other uses to it. For example you may initially be buying so you can practice your own singing on. If that’s the case then there are many features you are not going to need. But then 6 months down the road you might start having karaoke parties, then the other type features you are going to need.

You need to decide whether you want to be able to turn vocals on or off. Some of the music you buy may contain vocal for you to practice with then as you get better you can turn the vocal off. Your karaoke machine must have the option to do that. Of course you are going to want volume control. When it comes to microphones you are going to have to choose between wired or wireless, or even headset microphones. The price range of these vary, so that will be another deciding factor as well. Then there are things like being able to score the singer. Some karaoke machines have that capability built right into there.

Then it will come down to style and whether you are going to leave your machine at home all the time, or do you want to travel around with it. If its going to be a home unit you may want to look at a system that you can integrate with your home stereo systems. Then on the other hand, you may want to set it up in a separate area, so you will want a stand alone system. The draw back with this system is it can be quite bulky and take up a fair amount of room.

Then there are extras that you can add to it later on such as karaoke stands, which there are a variety of as well. If you are going to travel with it ,you will want to protect it as much as possible, so you may want to have some kind of carriers for your speakers. Also don’t forget to protect your discs as much as possible.

What do you look for when you go out to buy your own karaoke system? There are huge variations in features, styles, and price in the many types of karaoke equipment on the market today. Here are some important things to look for in your search.

Do you want a stand-alone system, or one you can just integrate into your own home entertainment system? You can find both types of karaoke machines. The stand-alone systems include the karaoke player, the speakers, and the monitor for the lyrics all in one machine. It can be very

Bulky, and you need a place to store it or a spot in your living area that will fit your stand-alone karaoke system. For a non-intrusive style, you can now find karaoke equipment, like The SongStation Karaoke Machine, that plugs right into your home entertainment system and is no bigger than a slim-line DVD player. This type of karaoke system has the player inside the box and uses your own TV for the lyrics monitor and the speakers. Or you can hook it up to your own speaker system, also, for the sound.

Another thing you want to look for in your karaoke equipment is the type of karaoke song disk that your karaoke machine will accept. Some of them use karaoke song DVDs. Others use CDGs, or CD+Gs. These disks are basically a CD with the lyrics included in embedded graphics files. Others use MP3s. And still others have inbuilt karaoke songs.

So make a note of what type of disk you need to build your library with. Most machines will only accept particular types of disks. You can solve this whole problem of disk incompatibility with one of the newest machines on the market, The SongStation Karaoke Machine.

It accepts virtually any kind of song disk. Plus, with this karaoke system, you won’t even have to build you a song library by buying karaoke song disks. You get a library of 53,000 inbuilt karaoke songs right in the system itself!

You also want to look for what additional features are included with your karaoke equipment. Features like vocals on or off, pitch and volume control, single or dual microphone controls, and scoring capabilities might be some of the features you would like included.

Most karaoke machines will come equipped with microphones; however, you may purchase them separately as well. There are wireless and wired karaoke microphones, and even headset microphones for those who dance or entertain as they sing.

Features might include multiple channels, a broad frequency range, a base unit and more. Price ranges are from $9.99 up to $300.

Once you own the basic karaoke equipment, there are some other accessories you may need to complete your ensemble. Karaoke stands for speakers and microphones always come in handy during karaoke shows and events.

Karaoke equipment cases are available to protect your player, speakers, Amps or mixers. Other items that are useful, but not directly related to karaoke equipment, include CD racks or cases, karaoke games on CD or DVD, rack shelves, modulators and karaoke song book creation software.

And lastly, check for valuable package deals to save you money, and a good warranty to give you security should anything go wrong with your karaoke system.

With some thought towards what types of features would fit into your lifestyle, you can find the karaoke equipment that will be right for you.

First you have probably been to a lot of karaoke bars and parties and noticed the difference in the music. If you are becoming a karaoke fan you have probably inquired into this, and found out it has to do with the different companies that produce the discs. Being as the background music isn´t the original artists, this is where the difference comes in. Now when it comes time to purchase your karaoke machine you are going to have to decide on the type of discs you are going to play.

You are going to be faced with a choice as some handle CDGs or CD+G or just plain karaoke song DVDs. You need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantage of these, when you are making your decision. Actually some with have built in music while others use Mp3s. Check around with your friends who have karaoke machines and see what type of discs they play. If you find a variety of them to check out, it will help you choose which method you like the most.

Features are another issue that is going to be important to you and a lot will depend on what you are going to be using it form. Sort of keep an open mind here, because you may have intentions for using it for one thing, then down the road start adding other uses to it. For example you may initially be buying so you can practice your own singing on. If that´s the case then there are many features you are not going to need. But then 6 months down the road you might start having karaoke parties, then the other type features you are going to need.

You need to decide whether you want to be able to turn vocals on or off. Some of the music you buy may contain vocal for you to practice with then as you get better you can turn the vocal off. Your karaoke machine must have the option to do that. Of course you are going to want volume control. When it comes to microphones you are going to have to choose between wired or wireless, or even headset microphones. The price range of these vary, so that will be another deciding factor as well. Then there are things like being able to score the singer. Some karaoke machines have that capability built right into there.

Then it will come down to style and whether you are going to leave your machine at home all the time, or do you want to travel around with it. If its going to be a home unit you may want to look at a system that you can integrate with your home stereo systems. Then on the other hand, you may want to set it up in a separate area, so you will want a stand alone system. The draw back with this system is it can be quite bulky and take up a fair amount of room.

Then there are extras that you can add to it later on such as karaoke stands, which there are a variety of as well. If you are going to travel with it ,you will want to protect it as much as possible, so you may want to have some kind of carriers for your speakers. Also don´t forget to protect your discs as much as possible.

With so many models, styles, variations in features, and accessories available in the market today, how do you go about selecting the right home karaoke machine? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Find the machine that is right for you and your lifestyle, add in a good price and a secure warranty, and you will be happy with your home karaoke machine.

The technology in home karaoke machines has advanced to the degree that you can now find many great features to help you sound like a star! Not so long ago, you could only find these features in professional systems. Now you can find home karaoke machines that enable you to alter the echo, the pitch, the key, the tempo, and more for any song to better match your own voice. In addition, you can change these settings for any singer as they get up to sing their song. Everyone wants to sound good! Flatter your family and friends by choosing these features, and they will jump for joy at the chance to come to your karaoke parties. Even if you are buying your home karaoke to practice and improve your own show, these settings will most closely resemble those you will find in the karaoke bars.

Many of the home karaoke machines also have dual microphone inputs, so you can sing duets with another person. If this feature appeals to you, choose one that allows you to alter the pitch and volume for each microphone separately. That way, you can help harmonize the duet.

What about the sound? You’ll be pleased to find that you can select a home karaoke machine that integrates with your own entertainment system you have already set up in your home.

What about the style? Can you get one that fits with your decor? The answer is, “Yes!” You can now find a home karaoke machine that’s no bigger than a DVD player.

An important feature to look at when selecting your home karaoke machine is the type of karaoke CDs it accepts. There are DVDs, CDGs, MP3s, machines with inbuilt songs, and more. Realize that any machine that accepts only one type of disk will require you to build up your library with that type of karaoke CDs, and then if you ever replace your machine you may have to build your library all over again. You can solve this problem altogether by getting a home karaoke machine that accepts several types of karaoke CDs or has an extensive library of songs already built into it.

The great news is that all these features, and many more, can all be found on one home karaoke machine! The SongStation Karaoke Machine has all those features to make you sound great, fits in with your home decor, accepts any kind of karaoke CD, plus has a library of 53,000 songs. The price is unbeatable for the benefits you get, and you enjoy a 12 month warranty. Finally, technology has caught up with the entertainment world to simplify your life. You don’t have to go all over the place finding that one system has this feature and another system has that feature. One system has a good price but a different system has a better warranty. You can have it all with the SongStation Karaoke Machine.

Now that’s an easy way to select your home karaoke machine!

Almost everyone loves to sing, whether or not they have the voice for it is considered insignificant. Also, the best man-made invention that allows people to satisfy their crooning desires is probably no other than the karaoke machine.

A Little Bit of History

The word karaoke, often mispronounced with a long e at the end instead of a short one, originated from a Japanese word meaning empty orchestra. A karaoke machine enables to a player sing a song without the accompaniment of any primary voice, and read the lyrics from a monitor. Initially afforded only by wealthy individuals and public venues such as restaurants and nightclubs, the karaoke machine gradually gained popularity, and its use soon spread to the United States and other European regions.

Types of Karaoke Machines

Karaoke Machines Using Cassette Tapes The earliest karaoke machine made use of cassette tapes and printed lyrics. Although this model is considered antiquated, some brand new models and lots of secondhand models are still sold in the market. It usually comes with a free microphone.

Standard Karaoke Machine There are two types of machines that are currently in use today - one that is coin-operated and the other, through the automated use of a remote control. Both, however, can be linked to a TV monitor and used with a microphone. Audio quality, pitch and tempo can be adjusted. Songs are digitally added to the karaoke machines database. Most standard karaoke machines are also able to provide users with ratings for the songs theyve sung.

Karaoke CDs

Instead of buying a karaoke machine, you can opt to purchase a karaoke CD. It can be played in your PC, VCD or DVD player and even your video game console. Although more compact, it doesnt provide ratings for players.

Microphone Based Karaoke Machines

A karaoke system is installed in the microphone and has only to be connected to the TV to work. Punch in the digits of your selected song through the keypad found on the surface of the microphone and sing away. Most models usually allow changing of chips for enjoyment of newer songs. Some are battery-operated as well.

What to Look for in a Karaoke Machine

Audio Quality Some karaoke machines have extremely powerful audio quality, powerful enough to make even the worse voices sound tolerable. Besides voice projection, make sure that the karaoke machine also allows the user to manage and modify audio quality through manual control of bass, pitch, tone and other sound elements.

Video Graphics

Can the background used on songs be changed? Are the graphics viewable for all ages?

Portability If you like traveling with your karaoke machine at all times, you might do better with a microphone based karaoke machine than all others.

Ratings

Several types of karaoke machines are not equipped with rating capabilities. Be prepared to pay for more if you wish to know whether your singing abilities are improving or not.

Song Database

Does the karaoke machine allow you to add more songs to the database, or at least change discs or chips so you can try out new ones?

Durability

This is tricky to determine although lower prices usually suggests inferior quality and durability; its better, however, to browse online for reviews on the karaoke machine youre planning to purchase.

Accessories for Your Karaoke Machine

There are several items you can purchase to improve the performance of your karaoke machine, keep it safer and generally have more fun with it!

Amplifiers Make the walls vibrate with the powerful resonance of your lovely voice when you connect amplifiers to your karaoke machine. Be careful however when buying amplifiers; if youre not an expert on sound quality, find one to help you determine the model that produces the best sounds for the price you can afford.

Connectors

Do you want to be able to use your karaoke machine through your desktop PC or laptop? Do you want to be able to sing while youre driving your car? Connectors will allow users to properly link their karaoke machines to the specified device.

Leather Bag and Other Safety Cases

Keep your karaoke machine safe from scratches and getting jarred by placing them inside leather bags or any other safety case sold in the market.

Karaoke is a form of entertainment where recorded music accompanies an amateur singer who sings along with the accompaniment on microphone. The music is of a well-known song in which the voice of the original singer is absent or reduced in volume. Lyrics are usually displayed on a monitor; sometimes including color changes synchronized with the music, on a music video is played to help with the sing-along.

Today, many karaoke singers seek the best karaoke machine models available for serious performers. The new karaoke machine for both personal and commercial use looks more like a DVD player. Several CD+G disks can be placed in multiple trays, eliminating the downtime between selections. An electronic key changer can raise or lower the original pitch by several keys in either direction.

Early Karaoke Machines

Early karaoke machines used cassette tapes but technological advances replaced this with CDs, VCDs, laserdiscs and, currently, DVDs. In addition, it is now common to use karaoke machines connected via fiber-optic links to provide instant high-quality music and video.

Basic Karaoke Machine

A basic karaoke machine consists of audio input, a means of altering the pitch of the music (not the singer) and an audio output. Some low-end machines attempt to provide vocal suppression so that regular songs can be fed into the machine to suppress the voice of the original singer, however this is not very effective.

Common Karaoke Machines

The most common karaoke machines are audio mixers with microphone-input built-in with CD+G, Video CD, Laser Disc, or DVD players. CD+G players use a special track called subcode to encode the lyrics and pictures displayed on the screen, while the other formats natively display both audio and video. Most karaoke machines have technology that electronically changes the pitch of music so that amateur singers can sing along to any music source by choosing a key that is appropriate for their vocal range, while maintaining the original tempo of the song.

Kamikaze Karaoke

A popular game using karaoke is to randomly type in a number and call up a song, which participants take a turn to try to sing as much as they can. In some machines, this game is pre-programmed and may be limited to a genre so that they cannot call up an obscure national anthem that none of them can sing. This game has come to be called “Kamikaze Karaoke” in some parts of the United States and Canada.

Karaoke on Mobile Phones

In 2003, several companies started offering a karaoke service on a mobile phone. This is still a budding service and it is unclear whether this service will take root even with all advances in technology. However, today there are some interesting efforts for Mobile Karaoke with an amazing usability and compatibility.

Karaoke VCD

The takeoff of Video CDs in Southeast Asia is partly due to the cheap but tolerable quality, and partly due to the popularity of karaoke. Many VCD players have built-in Karaoke function. If users disable the singer’s voice and leave the music alone, they can play karaoke. In the past, there were only pop-song karaoke VCDs. Nowadays, different types of karaoke VCD are available.

Alternative Playback Devices

As the technology behind karaoke improved, CDs with graphics capability (CD+G) replaced the earlier cassettes. The CD+G format of karaoke disc, which contains the lyrics on a specially encoded subcode track, has required special?and expensive?equipment to play it. Commercial players have come down in price, though, and some unexpected devices decode the graphics; in fact, karaoke machines, including video and sometimes recording capability, are often popular electronics items for sale in toy stores and electronics stores.

Microphone Based Karaoke Machines

In addition to CD+G and Software-based Karaoke, microphone-based Karaoke players enjoy popularity. Microphone-based Karaoke Players only need to be connected to a TV - and in some cases to a power outlet, in other cases they run on batteries. These devices often sport advanced features, such as pitch correction and special sound effects. Some companies offer Karaoke content for paid download to extend the song library in microphone-based Karaoke systems. CD+G and Microphone-based Karaoke systems are typically also used at home.

Features

Here are some basic features of karaoke machines. Remember that the more costly the machine, the more features it will have and the better the equipment and accessories will be:

Speakers

The small speakers of a boom box have been replaced with 50 amp speakers capable of handling even the loudest vocalists. You may think all speakers are the same as long as they produce good sound. Not necessarily! Both Hi-fi speakers and Karaoke speakers will sound good when you just play music. But with Karaoke, your vocals play the most important part. Most Hi-fi speakers are not designed for live vocal frequencies so the vocals sometimes sound distorted or muddy and surpressed when singing loud. Also, microphone feedback is the number one killer of Hi-fi tweeters.

Microphones

Microphones are often mixed into commercial-level soundboards for better sound balance and vocal quality. You can get either corded or wireless microphones. Wireless microphones of course give you more freedom to move around. You can get additional accessories such as microphone cables and stands at an additional cost.

Display

A small television monitor may also be included on higher-end models, or the karaoke machine may have external plugs leading to a standard television screen. The karaoke singer selects a track from the disk and the lyrics appear on the screen as a guide.

Price

Expect to pay about ?104.17 for a basic karaoke machine. A professional machine such as DJ’s use will coat anywhere from ?377.67 to ?2,967.70. A good pair of speakers will cost about ?156.56 and a microphone will run about ?104.18. A 200-disk organizer will cost about ?259.00 These are just basic estimates, it’s best to shop around for the best deals or for a sale.

By Christine D

At long last, technology and value have caught up to the home karaoke machine industry. You can now get a karaoke system that has it all - a host of the latest features, 53,000 inbuilt karaoke songs, quality, and value all rolled into a karaoke machine the size of a slim-line DVD player! Wow! What is this marvel? It’s called The SongStation Karaoke Machine.

The ultimate in convenience, the SongStation Karaoke Machine is also a DVD player, CD player, and karaoke player in one unit. A plug-n-play system, it hooks up to your home TV or entertainment system in five minutes flat.

And that’s just the beginning. When you step up to sing karaoke, this little wonder has the power to make you sound like a star! Now you’re probably saying, “Yeah, right, it has magic powers. Let’s see ‘em.” OK, let’s look at how it does it.

This karaoke system gives you the controls to alter the pitch, key, and tempo of each song to best complement your voice. Then you can set the echo to just the right amount of reverb to make you sound like a professional. Want to sing duets? The dual microphone inputs let each partner have their own microphone, each with its own separate controls for volume and pitch. It doesn’t matter if one of you sings loudly and the other one has a soft voice. Simply adjust your controls of your karaoke machine for a perfect harmony!

Want to host a karaoke contest at your next party? The Songstation Karaoke Machine also scores your contestants. The score is based on how well the singer controls his volume, pitch and intonation, tempo, and tone consistency. You can also use the scoring feature to improve your own performance, and watch your scores get higher and higher as you practice to perfection.

Speaking of having a party, you can pre-program your own selection of your favorite 99 songs, or set the karaoke machine to run the private compilation of 540 hit tunes. You can even set it to welcome your guests for you with a customized Welcome Message or greeting. How cool is that?

What if you want to learn a new song? This karaoke system also comes to your rescue with a Vocals On/Off control. You can play the vocals with the music until you have it down pat, and then turn the vocals back off to practice your karaoke.

The only negative is you don’t have a hard copy chord book but at this price, you can’t complain much!

Yes, this latest trend in home karaoke machines can certainly provide you with hours of nonstop fun and entertainment for your family and friends. You’ll be the host with the most. And you can turn on the smiles with just a click of your remote control.

Ease, convenience, fun, and great value. No wonder more people every day are discovering the joys of the SongStation Karaoke Machine. – 15174.