| |
| A/V |
| |
| A/V is an abbreviation for Audio/Visual. |
| see also:
Inputs, Outputs |
|
| All-In-One Karaoke Machine |
| |
| This is a machine that can play at least one of the following karaoke formats: CDG, VCD, DVD, or cassette tape. These machines have a built-in amplifier and speakers all in one unit. They are usually very portable and need only a connecting wire to your TV or video monitor video input or VCR video input. If you don't have a video input on your TV or VCR you will need an RF Modulator (see definition of RF Modulator). |
|
| Ambience |
| |
| The acoustic characteristics of a space with regard to reverberation. A room with a lot of reverb is said to be "live"; one without much reverb is "dead." |
|
| Amplifier |
| |
| Also known as:
Amp |
A device which increases signal level. Many types of amplifiers are used in audio systems. Amplifiers typically increase voltage, current or both.
Karaoke amplifiers may contain a variety of features which include mixing capabilities for microphone and music, echo, key change, vocal reducer, and vocal replacement.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Never turn on the amplifiers (or other source units) with the level (volume) control on at any level. This could cause irrepairable damage to your loudspeaker system. This is normally detected by a loud pop when the units are switched on. If this occurs with the level controls down, turn off your system immediately and consult your dealer. Never use an amplifier with a higher rating than your speaker system. This could cause damage to your speaker system. If in doubt, consult your dealer. Do not use shielded or microphone cable for any speaker connection as this will not handle the amplifier load and could cause damage to the complete system. |
|
| Balance Control |
| |
| Left/right channel balance on a stereo system. This allows you to remove the lead vocal track on multiplex recordings by turning off one channel. |
|
| CD |
| |
| Also known as:
Compact Disc |
A karaoke CD is like a CDG, but does not include the on-screen lyrics/graphics. These discs will play in any CD player.
CDs do not contain lead vocals. If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, VCD, DVD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CDM |
|
| CDG |
| |
| Also known as:
CD+G, CD+Graphics, Karaoke CD |
A CDG is the most common karaoke format. These discs will play in any karaoke player that is CDG compatible. The song lyrics will be displayed on any TV, when the TV is connected to the CDG player. These discs will also play in most normal CD players; however the lyrics will not be displayed. Only the music is playable through a CD player.
CDGs do not contain lead vocals. If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDGM, VCD, DVD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CD, CDM |
|
| CDGM |
| |
| Also known as:
Multiplex, CDG Multiplex, CD+Graphics MultiPlex |
A CDGM is a special type of CDG karaoke disc. There are two tracks for each song on the disc, one track in karaoke format and the other track with the lead vocals so you can learn the song. Typically a CDGM has half the number of songs that a normal CDG disc has.
When played in a player with a multiplex button (MPX), or pan/balance control, one can turn on and off the lead vocals during playback. This gives the user the opportunity to turn off the lead vocals as needed. If these controls are not available on the user's player, the user can simply play the other track without lead vocals.
If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDG, VCD, DVD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CD, CDM |
|
| CDM |
| |
| Also known as:
CD Multiplex, Compact Disc Multiplex |
A karaoke CDM is like a CDGM, but does not include the on-screen lyrics/graphics. There are two tracks for each song on the disc, one track without the lead vocals and the other track with the lead vocals so you can learn the song. Typically a CDM has half the number of songs that a normal CD has. These discs will play in any CD player.
If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, VCD, DVD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CD |
|
| Clipping |
| |
| Refers to a type of distortion that occurs when an amplifier is driven into an overload condition. Usually the "clipped" waveform contains an excess of high-frequency energy. The sound becomes hard and edgy. Hard clipping is the most frequent cause of "burned out" tweeters. Even a low-powered amplifier or receiver driven into clipping can damage tweeters which would otherwise last virtually forever. |
|
| Decibel |
| |
| Also known as:
dB |
Named after Alexander Graham Bell. We perceive differences in volume level in a logarithmic manner. Our ears become less sensitive to sound as its intensity increases. Decibels are a logarithmic scale of relative loudness. A difference of approx. 1 dB is the minimum perceptible change in volume, 3 dB is a moderate change in volume, and about 10 dB is an apparent doubling of volume
0 dB is the threshold of hearing, 130 dB is the threshold of pain.
Whisper: 15-25 dB
Quiet background: about 35 dB
Normal home or office background: 40-60 dB
Normal speaking voice: 65-70 dB
Orchestral climax: 105 dB
Live Rock music: 120 dB+
Jet aircraft: 140-180 dB |
|
| Delay |
| |
| Delay is also a facet of the echo process. Delay refers to the amount of time that exists between echoes. |
| see also:
Repeat, Digital Echo |
|
| Diaphragm |
| |
| The part of a dynamic loudspeaker attached to the voice coil that moves and produces the sound. It usually has the shape of a cone or dome. |
|
| Digital Echo |
| |
Digital echo is a synthetically processed sound effect that mimics natural echo.
Echo in general is the "bouncing" of waves back and forth between 2 surfaces. Echo is what makes the vocals on records and on the radio have that professional sound. It's a very popular effect with singers. It gives the vocals a spacious or ambient feeling that works great with vocals. A little Echo is definitely a great effect on most vocals, but not necessary for all occasions. |
| see also:
Repeat, Delay |
|
| Digital Key Control |
| |
| This allows the singer to transpose the Karaoke Music into their desired key without effecting the tempo. |
| see also:
Key Control, Pitch Control |
|
| DVD |
| |
| Also known as:
Digital Video Disc, Digital Versatile Disc |
A DVD can only be played in a DVD compatible player. This format is growing in popularity, mainly because of the on-screen menus and higher quality graphics and backgrounds. A DVD disc tends to be more expensive but can also hold many more songs. This format hasn't quite taken off just yet, but is expected to in the near future.
DVDs may contain removable lead vocals. If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, VCD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CD, CDM |
|
| Equalizer |
| |
| Electronic set of filters used to boost or attenuate certain frequencies. |
|
| Equipment |
| |
| At DB Karaoke.com, equipment refers to All-In-One Machines, Club Systems, Players, Amplifiers, Mixers, Decoders, Microphones, Speakers, TVs, Monitors, and Accessories. |
|
| Frequency |
| |
| The range of human hearing is commonly given as 20-20,000Hz (20Hz-20kHz). One hertz (Hz) represents one cycle per second, 20Hz represents 20 cycles per second and so on. Lower numbers are lower frequencies. |
|
| Gain |
| |
| To increase in level. The function of a volume control. |
|
| Graphic Decoder |
| |
| Also known as:
Decoder |
| Karaoke unit which decodes the digital coding on a CDG to provide the words and graphics for songs. If you already have a CD player, a decoder is an alternative solution to purchasing a CDG player. |
|
| Headphone Jack |
| |
| Output on a system which allows for the music to be heard through headphones. |
|
| Inputs |
| |
| Also known as:
A/V Inputs |
| Input jacks which allow for connecting other components or systems into the main system. Can refer to audio input or video input. |
| see also:
Outputs, A/V |
|
| Karaoke |
| |
| Also known as:
kareoke, karoke, karioke, karyoke |
Karaoke is singing with a pre-existing song, where you replace the original lead singer. Karaoke songs are reproduced to sound like the original song, but without lead vocals. The lyrics of the song are presented to the singer via a video screen, highlighting the words to be sung, so that the singer can follow along without memorizing the song lyrics. Karaoke songs are rarely produced by the original artist or recording studio. They are usually recreated by independent karaoke manufacturers. Most of these manufacturers use professional musicians and singers to produce the likeness of the original song. Karaoke songs may include some vocals. If the original song contains any background vocals (i.e. chorus, harmonies, back-up singers, etc), then the karaoke versions will usually contain them as well.
Certain karaoke discs provide the lead vocals as well, for demonstration purposes. See our Karaoke Formats section for details about each type of karaoke format.
Click here for more information about karaoke, including it's dictionary definition and history. |
|
| Karaoke Player |
| |
A unit that plays karaoke formatted discs (CDG, VCD, and/or DVD). They can also play regular audio CDs. It converts the information on a karaoke disc to audio and video output. In order to view the lyrics that are coded to the disc, you must connect the player to a TV or monitor. The sound can either be produced by the TV's speakers, or a separate amplifier and speakers. There are many ways of configuring a karaoke player to work. Contact us for help.
Many home singers connect them to their home stereo system for an amplifier. In order to view the lyrics that are coded to the disc, you must connect the player to a TV or monitor. |
|
| Key Changer |
| |
| This is another device placed between the player and amp in the connection process, but it is also "built-in to many CDG players. This device raises or lowers the key that the song is in. This helps a singer sing the song in his or her range ( makes the song easier to sing). It does not effect the tempo of the song. Other terms for key control are digital key control or pitch control. |
| see also:
Key Control |
|
| Line Level |
| |
| CD players, VCRs, Laserdisc Players etc., are connected in a system at line level, usually with shielded RCA type interconnects. Line level is before power amplification. In a system with separate pre-amp and power-amp the pre-amp output is line level. Many surround sound decoders and receivers have line level outputs as well. |
|
| Microphone |
| |
| Also known as:
Mic |
| Buy a good quality microphone. Poor quality microphones will sound bad no matter how much you have spent on amp's and speakers. Wired microphones plug into your sound system with a cord. Wireless Microphones permit you to go anywhere in the room while you are singing. Wireless mic.s plug easily into your sound sytem. Many singers like a wireless mic. because most wireless mics. amplify your voice just a small amount, unlike wired or corded mics., which have no amplification built into them. With this small amplification, singers with a "soft" voice can usually be heard better on a wireless mic. |
|
| Midbass |
| |
| Mid frequency bass, usually frequencies just above the sub-bass range, from around 100 - 400 Hz or so. |
|
| Midrange |
| |
| A speaker, (driver), used to reproduce the middle range of frequencies. A midrange is combined with a woofer for low frequencies and a tweeter for high frequencies to form a complete, full-range system. |
|
| Mixer |
| |
This is placed between the player and amplifier in the connection process. A mixer is used when your player or amp doesn't have a place to connect a microphone. The mixer "mixes" the music from the player, with the sound from the microphone. It is also useful when you want to be able to control aspects of multiple sources of audio and video from one unit. The number of A/V inputs and outputs vary on each mixer.
Some mixers contain additional features such as key control, echo and vocal reducer. |
|
| Monitor |
| |
| TV screen used to display words and/or pictures from karaoke players. |
|
| Monitor Speakers |
| |
| Speakers directed at the performer to help them hear the music and singing. |
|
| Muting |
| |
| To greatly decrease the volume level. Many receivers and pre-amplifiers have a muting control which allows the volume level to be cut way down without changing the master volume control. Great for when the phone rings. |
|
| NEO+G |
| |
| Also known as:
NEOG, NEO CDG, NEO CD+G, NEO CD+Graphics |
NEO+G is a proprietary format developed by RSQ manufacturer. This technology allows about 75 songs on a single disc. Some karaoke sound track manufacturers have opted to produce NEO+G compatible discs. You MUST have an RSQ NEO compatible player to play an NEO+G disc.
NEO+Gs are equal to the size of a standard 5" CD. Lyrics to the songs appear on a TV screen when the disc is played on a NEO+G player and hooked up to a TV.
NEO+G just have the same sound quality and graphics as a CD+G, but they have more advanced functions for your singing pleasure. NEO+Gs do not include lead vocals. They only have background vocals and instrumentals.
NEO+G Features:
NEO+G disc contains many more songs than regular CD+G
The list of songs will be displayed on the TV screen
Search and reserve songs while playing
Reserve up to 99 songs to sing
Intro silence skip - skips silent introduction part of the songs
Rewind, Fast forward, Pause without breaking graphic
Access directly to the song you want to play
List All NEOG Players. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, VCD, DVD, Super CDG, CD, CDM |
|
| NTSC |
| |
There are two TV video standards, NTSC and PAL. NTSC is used in North America, and PAL is used almost everywhere else in the world. Most hardware devices (DVD or VCD players) that play PAL video resolution out on a NTSC monitor correctly will cut approximately 24 lines of resolution from the top and bottom of a PAL image.
NTSC has 352 X 240 video resolution. This PAL to NTSC video conversion / truncation problem does not exist when viewed on a PC monitor as the PC just displays the whole image. |
| see also:
PAL |
|
| Octave |
| |
| An octave is a doubling or halving of frequency. 20Hz-40Hz is often considered the bottom octave. Each octave you add on the bottom requires that your speakers move four times as much air! |
|
| Out of Phase |
| |
| When speakers are mounted in reverse polarity, i.e., one speaker is wired +/+ and -/- from the amp and the other is wired +/- and -/+. Bass response will be very thin due to cancellation. |
|
| Outputs |
| |
| Also known as:
A/V Outputs |
| Output jacks which allow for connecting other components or systems from the main system. Can refer to audio output or video output. |
| see also:
Inputs, A/V |
|
| Overload |
| |
| A condition in which a system is given too high of an input level. A common cause of distortion or product failure. |
| see also:
Amplifier |
|
| PAL |
| |
There are two TV video standards, NTSC and PAL. NTSC is used in North America, and PAL is used almost everywhere else in the world. Most hardware devices (DVD or VCD players) that play PAL video resolution out on a NTSC monitor correctly will cut approximately 24 lines of resolution from the top and bottom of a PAL image.
PAL has 352 X 288 video resolution. This PAL to NTSC video conversion / truncation problem does not exist when viewed on a PC monitor as the PC just displays the whole image. |
| see also:
NTSC |
|
| Pitch Control |
| |
| Also known as:
Speed Control |
| Raises or lowers the song pitch to help you sing a note which is too high or too low for your vocal range. A pitch controller changes the key by slowing down or speeding up the recording. |
| see also:
Key Control, Digital Key Control |
|
| Power Output |
| |
| The sound level produced by a loudspeaker. This is usually measured in watts. |
| see also:
Watt |
|
| Pre-Amplifier |
| |
| This is a device that takes a source signal, such as from a turntable, tape-deck or CD player, and passes this signal on to a power-amplifier(s). The pre-amp may have a number of controls such as source selector switches, balance, volume and possibly tone-controls. |
|
| Pre-Out |
| |
| Also known as:
Pre-Amp |
| These outs are used for a number of functions. They can be used to output a signal suited for a recording of your performances to an outboard recording device such as a Tape deck or CD burner. They can also be used to plug your system into a club's PA system or into an external power amp to power some additional speakers. |
|
| Rack |
| |
The main component of a cabinet or rack is a set of vertical rails with mounting holes to which you attach your equipment or shelves. When you consider the width or height of the rack, clarify whether they are inside or outside dimensions.
The first measurement you need to know is the width between the rails. The most common size is 19 inches with hole-to-hole centers measuring 18.3 inches. But there are also 23-inch and 24-inch cabinets and racks. Most rackmount equipment is made to fit 19-inch rails but can be adapted to fit wider rails.
After the width, the most important specification is the number of rack units, abbreviated "U." It's a measurement of vertical space available on the rails. Because the width is standard, the amount of vertical space is what determines how much equipment you can actually install. Remember that this measurement of usable vertical space is smaller than the external height of the cabinet or rack.
One rack unit (1U) is 1.75 inches of usable vertical space. So, for example, a rackmount device that's 2U high will take up 3.5 inches of rack space. A rack that's 20U high will have 35 inches of usable space.
Because both racks and the equipment that fit in them are usually measured in rack units, it's easy to figure out how much equipment you can fit in a given cabinet or rack. |
| see also:
Rack Mountable |
|
| Rack Mountable |
| |
| Rack Mountable refers to the ability to place unit into professional or travel rack cases. Such cases are great for building complete systems and protect them during transportation. The standard rack size for MOST cases is 19". |
| see also:
Rack |
|
| RCA Connector |
| |
| "Phono" plugs, used primarily as low-level connections between CD players, Tuners, Recievers, Amplifiers, and TVs. |
|
| Repeat |
| |
| Repeat is facet of the echo process. Repeat refers to the frequency of echoes within a period of time. As more repeat is applied, more echo repetitions are applied. |
| see also:
Delay, Digital Echo |
|
| Resistance |
| |
| Also known as:
Re |
| In electrical or electronic circuits, a characteristic of a material that opposes the flow of electrons. Speakers have resistance that opposes current. In electrical or electronic circuits, a characteristic of a material that opposes the flow of electrons. Speakers have resistance that opposes current. |
|
| RF Modulator |
| |
| If you are not connected to a monitor type TV you need one of these adaptars to convert the video signal from your karaoke player's "video output" to Channel 3 or 4 on you TV. If you have a video input on your VCR, you may not need the RF Modulator. |
|
| Software |
| |
| This refers to the type of media which reproduces the music in the case of audio cassette tape, or reproduces music and video or graphics in the case of laser disk, CD+G, VCD, or video tape. To reproduce the graphics and or video and to display it, you must have a karaoke player attached to a TV, VCR or video monitor. |
|
| Sound Tracks |
| |
| Also known as:
Music Tracks, Disc Tracks, Songs |
| Music, and information stored on a discs and tapes. Example: CDs, CDGs, LDs, cassettes, video CDs, music soundtracks, and karaoke without lead vocals. |
|
| Sound Waves |
| |
| Sound waves can be thought of like the waves in water. Frequency determines the length of the waves; amplitude or volume determines the height of the waves. At 20Hz, the wavelength is 56 feet long! These long waves give bass its penetrating ability. |
|
| Speaker Power Ratings |
| |
| By far the most common cause of loudspeaker failure is damage to the voice coils caused by amplifier overload. Speaker damage from faulty components or manufacturing defects is very rare. The overwhelming majority of failures are due to misunderstanding the difference between loudness (decibel, dB) and the power to create it (Watts, W). |
|
| Sub-Code |
| |
| Sub-code is specially coded area of data used by CD+G manufacturers to produce lyrics for Karaoke video output. |
|
| Super CDG |
| |
| Also known as:
SCDG, SCD+G, Super CD+G, Super-CDG, Super CD+Graphics |
| Super CDG is a proprietary format developed by CAVS manufacturer. This format uses compression to allow over 1,000 songs to be stored on a single disc. Some karaoke sound track manufacturers have opted to produce SCDG compatible discs. You MUST have a Super CDG player to play a Super CDG disc. CAVS also has a downloadable PC software program that will allow playing a Super CDG on a computer. Visit our Super CDG page for a list of available discs and click here to list all Super CDG Players. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, VCD, DVD, NEO+G, CD, CDM |
|
| Superimpose |
| |
| Function that allows video input from TV, VCR or video camera. Displayed on TV screen behind lyrics of CDG discs. |
|
| Timbre |
| |
| The quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds of the same pitch and volume. The distinctive tone of an instrument or a singing voice. |
|
| Tone Control |
| |
| This allows you to control the amount of bass and treble. |
|
| Tweeter |
| |
| A speaker, (driver), used to reproduce the higher range of frequencies. To form a full-range system, a tweeter needs to be combined with a woofer, (2-way system), or a woofer and midrange, (3-way system). |
|
| VCD |
| |
| Also known as:
Video Compact Disc |
VCD is a disc formatted in MPEG-1. A VCD can only be played in a VCD compatible player. This format is very popular overseas, particularly in Asian countries. These discs contain moving video backgrounds while the lyrics are displayed over them, on the screen. This format is rarely used in North America.
VCDs usually do not contain lead vocals. If the original song contains any background vocals (e.g. chorus, harmonies, etc.), the karaoke version will usually contain them as well. |
| see also:
CDG, CDGM, DVD, Super CDG, NEO+G, CD, CDM |
|
| Video Out |
| |
| Output jack on a system which allows for the video to be shown on a TV or Monitor. |
|
| Vocal Assist |
| |
| Allows the lead vocal to be heard over headphones, without being heard over the speakers, when used with multiplex recordings. |
|
| Vocal Cancel |
| |
| Also known as:
Vocal Replacement |
| Vocal Cancel mutes out the vocal guide on a CDGM (Multiplex) karaoke disc. This is done by canceling out the whole left channel (where the vocals are coded), and splitting the right channel (with no vocals) to both sides. |
| see also:
Vocal Partner |
|
| Vocal Demo Track |
| |
| A professional singer sings along with the music, so you know how the singing part is supposed to go. |
|
| Vocal Partner |
| |
| Vocal Partner is just like Vocal Cancel, except it is voice-activated. When a singer is listening to the guide vocal on a multiplex disc and starts singing into the microphone, the vocal on the disc stops, when you stop singing into the microphone the guide vocal comes back. This feature is very helpful if you're learning songs or performing simulated duos |
| see also:
Vocal Cancel |
|
| Vocal Reducer |
| |
| Also known as:
Vocal Eliminator, Vocal Masking, Vocal Suppressor |
| It reduces the vocals on a regular, pre-recorded music CD or tape. The Vocal Reducer can reduce the lead vocals on regular music CD's but not Multiplex CD's. For the optimum effect the lead vocal should be in the center of the audio mix. If the vocal is not in the center there will be a slight audible vocal ghost. In addition to the vocals it may reduce any instrumentation in the same range as the pre- recorded vocal. Vocal Reducer will not eliminate 100% of the vocals of any regular CD. Results will vary from song to song. |
|
| Watt |
| |
| The smallest increase in loudness of 3dB takes twice the power. To increase the level to seem twice as loud, you need ten times the power. If you try to sustain a given loudness within a particular room size and do not have enough power (watts), several things begin to happen within your sound system. As you use up amplifier headroom, the sense of detail in the reproduced sound will disappear. Then you may hear distortion on signal peaks - the distortion is generally easier to hear at higher frequencies, but is much more common at low (bass) frequencies. This means the amp is running short of power to send to the speakers. Allowing this state to continue will reach the third stage of failure, overt distortion followed by voice coil burnout. Many people have an amazingly high tolerance for distortion and just do not notice a problem until it is too late. |
| see also:
Power Output |
|
| Woofer |
| |
| A speaker (driver) used for low-frequency reproduction. Usually larger and heavier than a midrange or tweeter. |
|
| Y-Adapter |
| |
| Any type of connection that splits a signal into two parts. An example would be a connector with one male RCA jack on one end, and two female RCA jacks on the other end. |
|
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is in U.S. Dollars and is subject to change without notice.
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