Getting Started with Karaoke

What is Karaoke?

Karaoke is interactive entertainment, where amateurs sing along with pre-recorded music tracks, often performing in public venues. Karaoke is a hugely-popular pastime that’s thrilled singers for more than thirty-five years. Here’s some information designed to get you up to speed quickly.

Karaoke in its present form originated in Japan, and the word “karaoke” is a portmanteau, or combination-word, made up from two other Japanese words: kara meaning “empty” and okesutora, meaning “orchestra.”

A Chartbuster Karaoke performance track will feature music for the chosen song, but no lead vocal. If the original song included backing vocals, those are included on the Chartbuster Karaoke performance track.

Chartbuster Karaoke tracks include video output that helps the singer remember the words to the song, and changes in the video indicate where in the music those words should be sung, a feature called a lyric wipe. That video is usually output to a television screen or computer monitor within view of the performer, and sometimes of the audience as well.

What equipment do I need to play karaoke discs?

There are several options you may take, some of which may meet your needs better than others.

Karaoke Player - These are available from a variety of price points to fit most budgets. They natively support the CD+G format that Chartbuster Karaoke uses, but also usually include features that a karaoke singer will find especially useful. These features might include microphone inputs to blend the performer’s vocals with the music output, embedded video screens or video output connections that allow the connection of external monitors or television sets, audio controls that allow the operator to add various effects to the vocals, such as echo, reverb, chorus and other effects, and more.

Since a wide variety of features, prices, and levels of portability are available, a full-fledged karaoke player is the best choice in most cases for a karaoke enthusiast.

Regular CD Player - A regular compact disc player, either a stand-alone unit or one installed in a computer, will play the music tracks from a Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G disc, but won’t output the video signal that includes the lyric wipe. This option is only recommended if you don’t need or want the lyrics on video content as you practice or perform.

Karaoke DVD Player - These units are made especially for karaoke enthusiasts who prefer the DVD format to CD+G. They will usually include the same range of features as a karaoke CD+G player, and will usually also play CD+G discs as well.

Personal Computer - Much software is available to the general public for the playback of karaoke discs. The cost of the software is usually tied to how many features it includes. Some karaoke software is quite complex, and includes database indexing of karaoke songs, the ability to manage the rotation of multiple performers in a karaoke venue setting, some audio control and effects, and much more.

The feature set, and whether or not it will meet your needs, depends on the software vendor. Consult their online stores and operations manuals to determine if this is the best choice for you.

Handheld device - Many handheld media players will accept some or all of the formats in which you can obtain a Chartbuster Karaoke track. If in doubt, check to see if the player will accept MP3+G, WMV or MP4 files, and purchase the appropriate track to match the player.

Game Console - The Sony PlayStation PS3 will replay MP4 and WMV files without digital rights management from the internal hard disk drive, a USB thumb drive, a Sony Memory stick, SD and Compact Flash cards, and network attached storage. The XBOX 360 will replay WMV files directly from network attached storage.

What is CD+G?

CD+G is a format used to deliver music and lyrics to the karaoke performer. The name comes from what it provides – Compact Disc plus Graphics. Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G discs look like regular compact discs, but each music track also includes a special video track that includes the on-screen lyrics and other information. Videos and still photos can’t be delivered using this method, although simplified graphics, text and logos can.

Though many ordinary compact disc players will play the music from a Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G disc, only CD+G players, some select gaming consoles, and computer software made specifically for the purpose will output the video to a television screen or computer monitor.

What is MP3+G?

MP3+G is a specially-formatted set of digital files that play karaoke tracks, with graphics, on computers and mobile devices. Each track is represented by two files, one for the music and one for the graphics. Because the music is compressed, a typical MP3+G track will occupy less disc space than a comparable, uncompressed CD+G file. To play these tracks back with video lyric wipe, you’ll need a software player capable of opening these files.

What is MP4?

MP4 is a common name for MPEG-4, which is a file standard for full-motion video and audio that can be played on a variety of players and computers. It is especially suited to hand-held devices as the file size is relatively small, and many types of computer software media players will play back these files. If you are in doubt about whether a player supports MP4 playback, consult the owner’s manual or the device’s online documentation.

What is WMV?

WMV (Windows Media Video) is a compressed video format developed by Microsoft. It is compatible with virtually all software media players developed for the Windows platform.

What is a Custom Charbuster Karaoke CD+G?

With the advent of new manufacturing technology and web-connected e-commerce, Chartbuster Karaoke has been able to introduce the Custom Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G. This product is produced on demand in our fabrication facilities, and is configured with exactly the songs that the customer wants. Each Custom Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G can contain up to fifteen tracks.

Chartbuster Karaoke on DVD

Digital Video Discs (DVDs) are now available that feature karaoke tracks. Additionally, a Chartbuster Karaoke DVD can be played in any DVD player, regardless of make or model. A karaoke enthusiast however would seek out a special karaoke DVD player, which might include pitch control, microphone inputs, and other features that enhance the karaoke experience.

Will a Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G play in a standard CD player?

You can play the music from a Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G disc in almost any standard compact disc player, as well as in computer CD drives, game consoles, or DVD players that also play CDs. However the video portion of the program will not be displayed unless that player is also equipped with CD+G technology. If you are unsure, check with the manufacturer of the equipment, or look for the CD+G logo somewhere in the documentation or on the player.

Will Chartbuster Karaoke DVDs play in a standard DVD player?

You can play a Chartbuster Karaoke DVD in any standard DVD player, either a stand-alone unit or a computer DVD drive, although special karaoke DVD players will have features designed with the karaoke singer in mind, including pitch control, microphone inputs, and other features that enhance the karaoke experience.

What do all the different track types mean?

There are several different types of tracks and formats you might choose for digital download or for a Custom Chartbuster Karaoke CD+G. Here’s a short explanation of each type.

Karaoke (Performance) Track Mix (“K”) - This track type is the one most commonly used for karaoke. It is the full music track and includes any background vocals that the song may require.

Guide Vocal Mix ("V") - This track type is usually used to learn the melody of the lead vocal. It includes the full music track, along with the lead vocal and any background vocals the song requires, in both the left and right stereo channels.

Instrumental (No background vocals) Mix ("I") - This track type has the full music track but no vocals at all. It is ideal for singing groups who want to perform songs but do not have a backing band of musicians.