Karaoke FAQ - (Frequently Asked Questions)

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.

Karaoke songs are never produced by the original artist or recording studio. They are recreated by independent karaoke manufacturers. Most of these manufacturers use professional musicians and singers to produce the likeness of the original song. Their goal in creating a karaoke song is to sound as similar to the original song as possible. Each manufacturers' version of a song will sound different from the original song and from one another.

Yes, if the original song has background vocals (e.g. chrous, harmonies, etc.), then most manufacturers will include such background vocals in their karaoke rendition of that song. These background vocals are not removable.

DB Karaoke has a large music database, but unfortunately, not all songs are available in karaoke format. Reasons for this are that manufacturers tend to recreate more popular songs only. Manufacturers also have to obtain legal rights to reproduce each song. Certain artist and recording studios do not always allow their songs to be produced into a karaoke version. Also, if the song you're looking for is very new, it may just be a matter of time before it becomes available as a karaoke song.

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Discs. DVD Karaoke disks are generally replications of the Video CD Karaoke disks. The video background on a DVD Karaoke Disk is much higher quality than a Video CD disk, however, currently there is no additional music, improved sound quality, or special DVD features. DVD Karaoke disks tend to be higher priced and there is less selection of songs.

A CDG karaoke disc will play (only the sound, not the graphics) in any standard CD or DVD player. A CDG karaoke disc will sometimes work on a computer with a CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, however it depends on the karaoke disc manufacturer. Recently, some manufacturers have begun implementing a method that protects the CDG from being read by a computer. If a CDG has this type of protection, it will still play on standard CD players and DVD players.

Yes, however, a Karaoke DVD Player will usually have additional features such as microphone inputs, key changer, and echo control.

See CDGM.

Use your player's multiplex button (MPX) or pan/balance control if you have them. If you do not have these features on your player, you can play the alternate track without the lead vocals.

Generally, the song is recorded in the same key as the original song. Unfortunately, most karaoke manufacturers do not provide key of the song listed with the songs. But, the key will generally be shown in the graphic display before the song starts.

Yes, with a "key control" function. Although many karaoke players offer key control, only a digital key control effectively changes the key. Non-digital key control changes both the key and the speed the sound.

Any standard TV will work. You do need an RCA (video & audio) connection, which most modern TVs already have. If your TV does not have an RCA input, you can easily purchase an RF modulator from most electronic stores for about $30.

No. Some players play only CDG discs. Some players play both CDG and VCD discs. There are other players that play DVD discs. Finally, there are players that play all types of karaoke formats. Before you select a karaoke player, you need to determine what your needs are and then select the player that best fits your needs. Please contact us for help in determining what would work best for you.

A portable karaoke system is an all-in-one karaoke player that usually includes:

Component karaoke players are a stand-alone karaoke player. Component players do not have their own speakers or amplifier. So, it must be connected to separate sound system and TV.

Yes you can, if you have a karaoke player with a recordable cassette deck. Or, you can hook up an external recording device to the output of a karaoke player.

You can hook up as many microphones as you have available microphone inputs. Even if you have limited microphone inputs, you can use a splitter to connect two microphones into one microphone input.

Most players come in 120 volt and NTSC TV format so they work well in the United States, but require adapters for other countries. Some players come with 120/220 voltage switches and NTSC/PAL format switches so they can be used in virtually any country. If they don't include these switches, they will require adapters for other countries.