What is karaoke?

Karaoke is singing to pre-existing songs. You are replacing the original lead singer. The background music and supporting singers are left intact.

What is the difference between regular CDs and Karaoke CDs?

Regular CDs are recordings of the original artist. These recordings may have been made in a recording studio or from live concerts. Karaoke CDs are reproduced creations recorded by each manufacturer. The manufacturer will hire independent artists and bands to recreate songs done in the likeness of the original artist. They are not the original artist's recordings. Manufacturers' interpretation of like songs will sound different throughout different manufacturers. Also, karaoke CDs have the capability of removing the lead singer's voice.

How do I decide what I should be buying?

Most of your choices will be based upon the level of enthusiasm you have for karaoke. Higher levels of enthusiasm warrant higher quality equipment and media. If you have an existing player, reading the manual will let you know the type of media it will play. Usually, your karaoke player will play CDG and CDGM karaoke format. Descriptions are below. CDGs have no lead vocals, are more expensive and usually associated with the serious or veteran enthusiast. CDGMs have the lead vocals intact, are less expensive and usually associated with the beginners.

What are starter packs?

Normally, you would purchase karaoke media as a single disc. For the serious and professional KJs, this would be cost prohibitive. Manufacturers assemble their own multiple disc packs to save you money. As with other products, the more you buy, the cheaper each one gets. Usually, manufacturers try to respond to the market demands by assembling both the broad category packs and also specific category packs. In short, if you only intended to sing country or gospel, you would seek out packs specifically for those categories.

What is karaoke and karaoke media?

Karaoke is simply singing to existing recorded songs. The difference with karaoke media (CDGs, CDGMs, VCDs and DVDs) is that the lead singer’s voice is removed but the background voices and music are still present. In short, if you want to sing a Garth Brooks song, karaoke media removes Garth’s voice and you sing in his place.

Karaoke media consists of CDGs (Compact Disc plus Graphics), CDGMs (Compact Disc plus Graphics Multiplex), VCDs (Video Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs). Laser Discs are not being produced any more. Laser Discs represent older media.

All the above media is a standard CD size of 5". CDGs usually have 15 songs per each disc and have the lead singer’s voice removed. Lyrics appear on your TV screen for singing along. CDGs are usually purchased by professionals and serious karaoke enthusiasts.

CDGMs usually have 8 songs per each disc and have the lead singer’s voice intact. It’s removed by a balance control on your player or by a special multiplex button on your player. Lyrics appear on your TV screen for singing along.

VCDs usually have 11 songs per each disc and have the lead singer’s voice removed. The difference with VCDs is that the lyrics that play on your TV screen are shown on top of a short movie created for that song. These are also purchased by professionals and the serious karaoke enthusiast.

Each form of media requires that you have a karaoke compatible player. When purchasing, please check your player manual for compatibility.

Please check out the glossary also. Become acquainted with the karaoke terminology and your experience will be much more enjoyable.