Karaoke, the hobby involving singing along to instrumental recordings of popular songs, first flourished in Japan but is now a worldwide pastime. While karaoke is usually played in bars and nightclubs, many people now sing or practice it at home with the aid of karaoke machines. Different models have slightly different functions, but they all utilize the same concept.
Step1
Choose an appropriate model. There are tabletop karaoke machines and towering models with dual controls and large graphic screens. If you prefer to use your computer, there are karaoke CDs and downloadable software that turn your hard drive into a karaoke machine.
Step2
Adjust the controls. Karaoke machines consist of a TV screen that shows the lyrics of each song as it is played, a CD player and a microphone. There are controls for the microphone and karaoke CD volume and for the brightness and contrast of the karaoke screen.
Step3
Load the CD. Choose an instrumental version of your favorite song or a track with guide vocals. Most karaoke CDs offer both choices.
Step4
Work the microphone. Choose a loud microphone level if you are a beginner. As you voice gets stronger, tone the volume down a bit.
Step5Project your voice and persona. The karaoke machine frees you to practice your moves, mastery of the microphone and vocal phrasing. Since you don't have to play an instrument to accompany yourself or deal with a pianist, you can fully concentrate on your vocal technique.
By eHow Electronics Editor
Monday, July 21, 2008
Where to Buy Karaoke Machines – Introduction
Karaoke machines are extremely cheap to buy now, and as many models can also be used as DVD players, a karaoke machine can be a versatile addition to your living room.
However, it’s always worth shopping around online, as you can get some great deals. This section of our guide will provide you with information about some of the leading online suppliers, including details of their post and packaging charges, delivery timescales and refunds policies. Just click on the links below to find out more about each of these online stores:
However, it’s always worth shopping around online, as you can get some great deals. This section of our guide will provide you with information about some of the leading online suppliers, including details of their post and packaging charges, delivery timescales and refunds policies. Just click on the links below to find out more about each of these online stores:
- 24 Electric
- Amazon
- Argos
- Empire Direct
- Tesco
- Tribal UK
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
The 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.
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:
Type of Karaoke Machine
The 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.
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.
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.
Types of Karaoke Machine
There are two main types of karaoke machine that you can buy for home use.
DVD Player/Karaoke Systems
These models combine a DVD player with a karaoke machine, and can be plugged into your television. You can then simply load your karaoke CD or DVD and plug in a microphone in order to use it.
Stand-alone Karaoke Machines
A stand-alone karaoke machine is an all-in-one system which has a small monitor and speakers built in to it. You can then plug your microphone into it.
Other Types of Karaoke Machine
There are a few other types of karaoke system, such as microphone stand karaoke systems and tape player systems, but these are mostly aimed at the children’s market.
DVD Player/Karaoke Systems
These models combine a DVD player with a karaoke machine, and can be plugged into your television. You can then simply load your karaoke CD or DVD and plug in a microphone in order to use it.
Stand-alone Karaoke Machines
A stand-alone karaoke machine is an all-in-one system which has a small monitor and speakers built in to it. You can then plug your microphone into it.
Other Types of Karaoke Machine
There are a few other types of karaoke system, such as microphone stand karaoke systems and tape player systems, but these are mostly aimed at the children’s market.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
History
AudioSynTrac and Numark Electronics were the first companies that combined to offer sing-along tapes and audio equipment to the rest of the world. The president of AudioSynTrac, Scott Ebright was a California music promoter and talent agent who booked singers at resorts and hotels across the U.S. Japanese electronics companies saw the AudioSynTrac products introduced at CES shows in the 1970's and immediately copied the concept, calling it "karaoke". The first karaoke machine was invented by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in the early 1970s. After becoming popular in Japan, karaoke spread to East and Southeast Asia during the 1980s and subsequently to other parts of the world in its modern state.
In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was asked by frequent guests in the Utagoe Kissa, where he performed, to provide a recording of his performance so that they could sing along on a company-sponsored vacation. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin.
Instead of giving his karaoke machines away, he leased them out, so that stores did not have to buy new songs on their own. Originally, it was considered a somewhat expensive fad, as it lacked the live atmosphere of a real performance and 500 yen in the 1970s was the price of two typical lunches, but it caught on as a popular entertainment. Karaoke machines were initially placed in restaurants and hotel rooms; soon, new businesses called karaoke boxes, with compartmented rooms, became popular. In 2004, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Peace Prize for inventing karaoke, "thereby providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."
Inoue never bothered to patent his invention, losing his chance to become one of Japan's richest men. Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino inventor who called his sing-along system "Minus-One", now holds the patent for the device now commonly known as the "karaoke machine". Following a court battle with a Japanese company which claimed to have invented the system, del Rosario's patents were issued in 1983 and 1986, more than a decade after Inoue's original unpatented invention of the device in 1971.
Early karaoke machines used cassette tapes, but technological advances replaced this with CDs, VCDs, laserdiscs and, currently, DVDs. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Pioneer Electronics dominated the international karaoke music video market, producing high quality karaoke music videos (inspired by the music videos featured on MTV). In 1992, Taito introduced the X2000, which fetched music via a dial-up telephone network. Its repertoire of music and graphics was limited, but its smaller size and the advantage of continuous updates saw it gradually replace traditional machines. Karaoke machines connected via fiber-optic links to provide instant high-quality music and video are becoming increasingly popular.
Karaoke soon spread to the rest of Asia and then to the United States in the 1990s, as well as to Canada and other Western countries. In-home karaoke machines soon followed but lacked success in the US and Canadian markets. When creators became aware of this problem, karaoke machines were no longer being sold strictly for the purpose of karaoke but as home theater systems to enhance television watching to "movie theater like quality". Home theater systems took off, and karaoke went from being the main purpose of the stereo system, to being a side feature.
As the available selection of music has increased for karaoke machines, more and more people within the industry saw karaoke as a very profitable form of lounge and nightclub entertainment. It is not uncommon for some bars to have karaoke performances seven nights a week, commonly with much more high-end sound equipment than the small, stand-alone machines noted above. Dance floors and lighting effects are also becoming common sights in karaoke bars. Lyrics are often displayed on multiple TV sets around the bar, including big screens.
Article source From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was asked by frequent guests in the Utagoe Kissa, where he performed, to provide a recording of his performance so that they could sing along on a company-sponsored vacation. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin.
Instead of giving his karaoke machines away, he leased them out, so that stores did not have to buy new songs on their own. Originally, it was considered a somewhat expensive fad, as it lacked the live atmosphere of a real performance and 500 yen in the 1970s was the price of two typical lunches, but it caught on as a popular entertainment. Karaoke machines were initially placed in restaurants and hotel rooms; soon, new businesses called karaoke boxes, with compartmented rooms, became popular. In 2004, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Peace Prize for inventing karaoke, "thereby providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."
Inoue never bothered to patent his invention, losing his chance to become one of Japan's richest men. Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino inventor who called his sing-along system "Minus-One", now holds the patent for the device now commonly known as the "karaoke machine". Following a court battle with a Japanese company which claimed to have invented the system, del Rosario's patents were issued in 1983 and 1986, more than a decade after Inoue's original unpatented invention of the device in 1971.
Early karaoke machines used cassette tapes, but technological advances replaced this with CDs, VCDs, laserdiscs and, currently, DVDs. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Pioneer Electronics dominated the international karaoke music video market, producing high quality karaoke music videos (inspired by the music videos featured on MTV). In 1992, Taito introduced the X2000, which fetched music via a dial-up telephone network. Its repertoire of music and graphics was limited, but its smaller size and the advantage of continuous updates saw it gradually replace traditional machines. Karaoke machines connected via fiber-optic links to provide instant high-quality music and video are becoming increasingly popular.
Karaoke soon spread to the rest of Asia and then to the United States in the 1990s, as well as to Canada and other Western countries. In-home karaoke machines soon followed but lacked success in the US and Canadian markets. When creators became aware of this problem, karaoke machines were no longer being sold strictly for the purpose of karaoke but as home theater systems to enhance television watching to "movie theater like quality". Home theater systems took off, and karaoke went from being the main purpose of the stereo system, to being a side feature.
As the available selection of music has increased for karaoke machines, more and more people within the industry saw karaoke as a very profitable form of lounge and nightclub entertainment. It is not uncommon for some bars to have karaoke performances seven nights a week, commonly with much more high-end sound equipment than the small, stand-alone machines noted above. Dance floors and lighting effects are also becoming common sights in karaoke bars. Lyrics are often displayed on multiple TV sets around the bar, including big screens.
Article source From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What's Karaoke
Karaoke (カラオケ, Karaoke? from Japanese kara(空), "empty," and ōkesutora, "orchestra") is a form of entertainment in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music (and/or a music video) using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song in which the voice of the original singer is removed or reduced in volume. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol or changing color and/or music video images, to guide the singer. In some countries, karaoke with video lyrics display capabilities is called KTV. It is very commonly pronounced /kæriːoʊkiː/, leading people to also spell it "kareoke".
Article source From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Article source From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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