Q. What is the difference between a disc and a disk?

A. A disc refers to optical media, such as a CD, CD+G, DVD, or VCD. A disk refers to magnetic media, such as a floppy disk, or a hard drive.

Q: What's a CD+G?

A: CD+G stands for Compact Disc + Graphics. A CD+G is different from a regular CD because it has an additional line of information on the CD for the karaoke graphics. A regular music CD does not have this additional graphics information.

Q: Can I play regular CD's in my Karaoke Machine?

A: Yes, regular CD's will play on your Karaoke machine, however no graphics are coded in them, so no lyrics will appear on-screen. On the flip side you can play CD+G's in a regular CD player as well, but you will also get just the music and no graphics since standard CD players are not equipped with a decoder to pick up the graphics on CD+G's.

Q: What's the range of a wireless microphone?

A: That mainly depends upon whether the wireless microphone and the receiver are within line-of-sight of each-other, and whether there are obstructions such as tall solid concrete or metallic structures in-between.  Typical unobstructed range is around three-hundred feet, which is equivalent to fifty people, six-feet tall, lying end-to-end.  

Q: Can I use all the wireless microphones on a multi-wireless microphone system at once?
A: Sure you can, as such systems are designed for simultaneous operation of all the normally provided microphones.

Q: What is a Karaoke Decoder and what does it do?

A: A Decoder decodes the Karaoke graphics off CD+G's when they are played on a regular CD player. For the Decoder to work correctly the CD player must have a Digital Output and not have a Digital Shock Buffer on the output. (This is common with DJ players.) If the player has these features it will prevent the Decoder from doing its job. If you don't know if your player is compatible check your players owner's manual.

Q: Why are there no low-impedance (e.g. 3.2 ohms) high-power speakers?

A: This is because the resistance of the wire carrying the output power to the speaker would be an appreciable percentage of the 3.2 ohms impedance of such a speaker, and this would result in the generation of considerable power loss in the cable in the form of heat. So if you want to send maximum power to an 8 ohm high-power speaker, then you will need to either parallel a pair of 8 ohm speakers together (in phase, at the amplifier end), one pair for each channel, or else use a high-power step-down transformer right at the amplifier output in order to step the 8 ohm speaker impedances down to 3.2 ohms or less. The problem with high-power step-down transformers, however, is that they tend to rolloff in power output at very low frequencies. Therefore step-down transformers with excellent low-frequency responses tend to be somewhat bulky and heavy.

Q: What does Multiplex mean?

A: Multiplex is a type of CD+G that usually has the same songs in two separate groups (Usually in 10's) The first group usually has just the lead vocals on the left channel and just the background music on the right channel. The second group has the usual Karaoke background music on both channels with no lead vocals. What makes Multiplex CD+G's interesting is that you can use the Vocal Cancel to manipulate the lead vocals.

Q: How do I remove the vocals from my Karaoke CD+G's?

A: To remove vocals from Multiplex CD+G's, you need a machine with Vocal Cancel, which mutes out the lead vocal on Multiplex tracks. 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.

Q: What is Vocal Partner?

A: Vocal Partner is just like Vocal Cancel, except it is voice-activated. When using a Multiplex CD+G, the Vocal Partner feature will only mute out the lead vocals as long as you are singing into the Mic. As soon as you stop singing or forget the words, the vocals are automatically brought back in till you resume singing. This feature is very helpful if you're learning songs or performing simulated duos.

Q: Why can't I remove the vocals from my regular CD's?

A: To remove vocals from regular CD's, you need a machine with a Vocal Reducer. The Vocal Reducer can reduce the lead vocals on regular music CD's but not Multiplex CD+G'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. Results will vary from song to song.

Q: What is a Digital Key Controller?

A: A Digital Key Controller allows the singer to transpose the Karaoke Music into the desired key without affecting the tempo.

Q: What is Echo?

A: 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 very ambient quality. A little Echo is definitely a great effect on most vocals, but not necessary for all occasions.

Q: What does Repeat do?

A: 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.

Q: What does Delay do?

A: Delay is also a facet of the echo process. Delay refers to the amount of time that exists between the beginning and ending of each echo repetition. As more delay is applied, more time is applied between the starting and ending point of each echo repetition.

Q: What is a Pre-Out for?

A: Pre-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.

Q: How can I avoid microphone feedback?

A: There are a couple ways to avoid microphone feedback. First and foremost, keep the microphone pointed away from and as far from the speakers as feasible. If the Mic is too close or pointed to the speakers a feedback loop is inevitable. Also too much treble on either the Mic channel or system output can cause feedback. Try dropping the treble and check if setting is OK with desired sound.

Q: Should I bang on microphone to see if it's on?

A: No, you should not. It will not hurt the microphone, but you stand a chance of damaging your loudspeakers if they cannot handle the sudden peak power transient. Instead, try snapping your fingers in front of the microphone. API, IDOLpro, RSQ, and VocoPro speakers, though, are designed to safely handle such transient bursts. Not all speakers are created equal.

Q: What is the best type of microphone for me to use for doing Karaoke?

A: A good quality microphone is fine for doing Karaoke. There are uni- directional, bi-directional, condenser, wired, wireless and other types of Microphones. However, it usually comes down to personal taste when it comes to which Microphone sounds best.

Q: How do I connect video to my TV when it has no video input?

A: There are two ways to accomplish this:

 1) Obtain an RF Modulator and plug the video output from your video source into it, and connect the RF modulator to your TV.

 2) Connect the video output from your video source to the video input of as VCR. Use the "antenna out" or "out to TV" jack, and connect a cable to the "antenna in" on your TV.