View a selection of Karaoke Machines at Review Centre as we provide up-to-date consumer reviews and price comparison on Karaoke Machines. We have listed the most popular Karaoke Machines and Karaoke Equipment to help you choose which products meet your needs. So if you want to perform a Karaoke classic like a Pop Idol then check out all the Karaoke Machine reviews on this site. You may also want to have a look at our Karaoke DVD reviews.
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How to Choose and Buy a Karaoke Machine

Here are some hints and tips on things to consider when choosing and buying a karaoke machine:

Type of Karaoke Machine

Image of Karaoke MachineThe first thing to decide is whether you want a DVD Player/Karaoke Machine or a stand-alone karaoke machine. If you already have a good home entertainment system, you may want to choose a DVD Player/Karaoke Machine, as you can use your home entertainment system speakers with it. These models are also versatile as you can use them in the same way as a standard DVD player, and they tend to be compact and easy to store.

However, if you are looking for a karaoke machine that has its own in-built speakers and television screen, the stand-alone karaoke machine will be the best option. These tend to be bulkier but are ideal if you are going to be having regular karaoke sessions.

If your karaoke machine is only going to be used by the kids, you may want to consider buying one of the funky and fun karaoke machines or stands specifically designed for children.

You should also check the product description of any model that you are considering to make sure that it plays the type of disc that you are likely to use. The main types of disc used are CDs, CDGs and DVDs.

You can find out more about these different types of karaoke machines and karaoke discs on our Types of Karaoke Machine page.

Effects and Features

When you are using your karaoke machine, you’ll want to make your voice sound as good as you can, and different models of karaoke machine have different features and effects to help you to do this. Check the product descriptions carefully to make sure that your chosen model has the effects that you think you’ll want.

Some of the features and effects that you can get are:

  • Pitch controller – this alters the pitch of the backing track by speeding it up or slowing it down so that you can change it to suit your vocal range
  • Key controller – this alters the key of the song so that you can change it to suit your vocal range
  • Echo – this adds an echo effect to your voice, which makes it sound more professional and interesting to listen to because it gives it depth.
  • Auto vocal cut – this automatically removes the vocals from recordings that contain the vocal track when you start singing, which means that you can play the track with the vocals to help you learn how to sing the song. This doesn’t work for standard audio CDs, so you can only use it with certain karaoke CDs known as “multiplex recordings”.

Accessories for Karaoke Machines

Check to see whether your chosen model comes with microphones and karaoke discs, as this can add extra value. It’s worth buying a selection of karaoke discs so that you have plenty of choice and two microphones so that you can sing duets!

If the model that you’re buying doesn’t include these, it’s worth ordering them at the same time. You can find out more about some of the different products that you can buy to go with your new karaoke machine on our Accessories page.

Warranty

Check the product description to make sure that you are happy with the terms of the manufacturer’s guarantee, as the warranty length can vary depending on the brand and model that you choose.

Further Information

To find out more about the different types of karaoke machine available, visit our Types section.

For details of specific models of karaoke machine, visit our Brands section.

To find out where you can get some great deals on karaoke machines, visit our Where to Buy section.

To find out more about the types of accessories you can get for your karaoke machine, visit our Accessories section.

A karaoke machine has an audio input, an audio output and a way of changing the music’s tone and pitch. There are karaoke machines that have the means of vocal suppression. The machine actually suppresses the original singer’s voice and allows the music to be feed through the machine; the results, it must be said, are not great. Generally, karaoke machines have a microphone input replete with Video CD, CD+G, Laser Disc, et al. Of these, CD+G possess sub code, a particular track that is used to encode lyrics and pictures that are displayed on the screen. Some places that offer karaoke have KTV, which is karaoke with the ability to display video lyrics.

Karaoke machines possess equipment to electronically alter the music’s pitch, allowing the user to pick a key appropriate for his or her vocal range without any change in the tempo of the original track. A well-known karaoke game randomizes the songs that people can attempt to sing. In some karaoke machines, this game - known as ‘Kamikaze Karaoke’ in parts of North America, is programmed to a particular genre so that all can participate.

Karaoke systems like ‘boom boxes’ have a mode that alienates the vocal track from the audio CDs. A process called the ‘center removal’ manages this. This unsophisticated approach often manifests itself in the low performance of voice removal.

Computer programs are being developed that serve the same purpose as a karaoke machine. In place of a normal recorded track, these programs use musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) instrumentation that provides the musical accompaniment. MIDI accurately defines each and every musical note in a musical instrument like the eclectic guitar and synthesizer, allowing computers and electronic musical instruments to swap data.

Monday, 18 January 2010

Having Fun With A Karaoke Machine

Everyone, including the Japanese would like to believe that they were the ones that came up with the idea of a karaoke machine. But, they would be wrong in assuming that, because in actuality, it was the TV network, NBC that actually came up with the first form of karaoke. Sure it was not a fancy self contained machine like it is now, but what they came up with was the first concept of singing along.

In the 1960’s, NBC came up with a family entertainment program, that they hoped would get families to sing a long together. They came up with a system that would put the words to a song on a TV screen and the audience was encouraged to sing a long with the song, while following a bouncing ball that was over each word and would move to the next word when it was time to sing that word. This show was called “Sing Along With Mitch”.

Once the show ran it’s course, nothing much was heard about such form of entertainment until 1971 when the Japanese decided to build upon the idea by creating what is now known everywhere as the karaoke machine. Of course everyone now knows what has become of the idea since then.

There’s no doubt that no matter where you are in the United States or some other country, that you will have no problems finding a bar or a lounge that offers karaoke as a form of entertainment.

Even if you are the type of person who scoffs at using such a thing as a karaoke machine, must admit that it does bring back memories from when you were a kid. Back in the day when you would hold a hair brush or something in your hand and stand in front of the mirror and sing away with your favorite song. What the karaoke machine allows people to do, is to go back in time, when you were a super star in your own mind, and relive that experience.

If you are really into the karaoke scene, there are no doubt, numerous outlets for your desire to share your karaoke abilities. And if you are looking for adventure and are competitive, you’ll find that a lot of the karaoke bars and lounges also offer up competitions for those who want to really show off their karaoke skills.

Having a karaoke machine at a birthday party, or a wedding, a graduation party, any group gathering, can add a lot of fun and personality to the event. Even the staunchest of guests who claim they simply don’t want to do something so silly, will in the end probably fell the cry of their inner child wanting to get up there and let it all out.

Now, if participating in the traditional way of karaoke is not exactly what you are looking for, technology has given you an out there. PlayStation 2 and the Xbox of course have gotten on board and created video games that allow you to rock out in virtual reality. The most popular now, being “Guitar Hero”. And if you are so into karaoke that you feel the need to be able to have it at your fingertips, try downloading a MIDI program to your cell phone and you’ll be able to perform at a moments notice by simply using your cell phone.
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1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your post. Since I'm looking for any karaoke equipment for sale, your post about choosing wisely is a big help on my side. Great!

8 June 2015 at 01:28

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