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.

Saturday, 30 January 2010

My life as a Karaoke addict



Pre amble

Well, to say I am a karaoke “addict” is a bit strong really, although it is a pass-time I enjoy enormously. It started for me some years ago in a very small way. My pass-time has evolved a great deal since those early days, a journey I will never forget.

How it started for me

I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but one day whilst in a large record shop I noticed some Pioneer Karaoke discs ( non-graphic type with a lyrics sheet ) and decided to buy a couple. Strange thing for me to do because I had never even made an effort to go to a Karaoke night, what’s more, I had no intention of EVER getting up to sing at one. When I got home, I rigged up a way of connecting a mic. From an old tape recorder to my hi-fi, and on went the disc. We tend to not talk much about the way I sounded so let your imagination conjure up the image. Despite it’s Stone Age complexity, that little “spit and sawdust” set-up gave many hours of fun for me and my visiting friends, and at that point I noticed how much fun Karaoke can be.

It wasn’t long before I purchased more discs, and with them came more fun. As time went by, I found out just how accessible the professional equipment was and made a trip over the Pennines to a Manchester supplier to see what was on offer. I came away with a JVC 3 drawer player, a couple of mics. and a bundle of CDG discs, What a revelation they were too!!

With my new discs and a choice of about 100 songs, I found one I could actually sing in tune. This boosted my confidence and it was only a matter of time before I found myself getting up to sing in public. The reality was that I was dreadful, and it took a few pints and a lot of courage to find that out the hard way. I love singing so much this only spurred me on to try harder, I practised and practised until I got back enough confidence to have another go.

By this time I was visiting Karaoke nights once or twice a month and getting to see how it wasn’t about how good you are, but more to do with enjoying yourself. I got up again and concentrated not on getting the song right but on having a good time. A whole different experience emerged, after about half a dozen more tries over a period of time, I got up to sing Jessie by Joshua Kaddison. This was the turning point for me, the KJ called me over afterwards, and said it was the first time she had heard me sing properly and have I been having lessons? Well I was chuffed to bits and told her that I would keep trying until it came a bit more naturally to me.

This was now a bona-fide hobby so it justified building up a collection of discs. I now have approaching 200 discs and still collecting!! ( not bad for a home set-up ). Birthdays and Christmases saw presents like a radio mic., and more discs etc. I can’t see me ever getting fed up of Karaoke because with new songs arriving all the time, it is constantly changing. Singing is also a fantastic way to relax after a stressful day. I have often thought about setting up as a pro. KJ. For me though I think it would take too much away from what is now an interest/hobby. A bit like how some people think running a pub is similar to going out for a pint, but more regularly?? If you follow what I mean. Anyway my day job and constant late nights wouldn’t mix. I now try to go out to Karaoke at least once a week and have a singing evening at home once a fortnight. However at home I seldom get the chance to have a go because I get pushed to the back of the queue. That’s ok by me. I hope I can hold my own in Karaokeland, because there are some very talented singers out there, but hey, it is not for me to say.

What Karaoke has given back to me?

Well besides meeting some great people, especially those I have met through Karaokeinfo. I have a lot to thank Karaoke for, because I am not a natural performer, I have never revelled in attention of any kind, and as I mentioned earlier, never did I imagine that I might be the type of person who would get up in a pub and sing. Nowadays I don’t even get nerves when I get up to sing a song I have never sung before.

However, since my hobby has thrust a new me into my life, I have also taken up other challenges, which would have been passed over by the old me. For e.g. Many times I have been asked to give talks and courses in relation to my job, many times I have turned down those opportunities, not any more. I now feel fully at ease addressing an audience of hundreds. Being interviewed on radio and television

Doesn’t phase me anymore, just because for some of us, singing Karaoke for the first time is a big deal. But once you have endured baptism by fire, everything else is easy. So if you happen to be someone just starting out in the world of Karaoke singing, keep pushing yourself and your vocal ability. Try new songs all the time. But most of all enjoy it!!!!!!
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