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Technology has certainly come a long way, which is great news for karaoke and music lovers everywhere. Modern computers have the speed, space and capabilities to allow a myriad of uses including the ability to find and listen to music or turn your computer into a karaoke machine! You can even purchase custom CD+G's from the internet, create, edit and burn your own karaoke songs to play on a Karaoke Player or professional Karaoke System.
Minimum Requirements:
- PC or Mac Computer
The following info mainly applies to pc's but macs have similar capabilites and software available.
- 100mhz processing
Nowadays this is quite slow and most modern computers run at a miniumum of 200+, the higher the processing capacity, the faster your computer will operate.
- 1.19gb hard drive
Software like players and creators specify minumum space for installation and use. The larger the hard-drive, the more programs and files can be installed and stored. Always virus check and read the instructions before installing any software or files downloaded from the internet.
- Windows 95 or equivalent operating system
There are a variety of different operating systems including Linux, Windows and the original DOS, all of which are capable of running a variety of programs including music players and recorders, however, Microsoft Windows is the system most commonly pre-installed on computers available from retailers.
- Soundcard with wavetable support
A soundcard is the essential module inside your computer that processes sound. Most new computers are fitted with a soundcard but there are no guarantees of quality! Ideally a Sound Blaster or Sound Blaster compatible card with wave-table synthesis is preferred.
If you do not have wave-table synthesis take a look at some software synths that make your Soundblaster compatible, non-wave-table card sound better with MIDI. Try: Wingroove (Shareware $20 fully functional demo), Yamaha S-YG20 (Download Here), or my favourite, Roland Sound Canvas VSC-55 OR 88ME Soft Synth. (free cd with Computer Music Interactive Feb 2000, Issue 16).
Purchasing soundcards can be a minefield, it basically comes down to a combination of personal taste, budget, technical experience and what you want to use the soundcard for (i.e., composing, sampling, listening). We found The Sound Blaster AWE32(tm) PnP is ok if your on a budget, but those who are looking for a more professional option should take a look at the Sound Blaster Audigy which has both optical digital and analogue phono connections accessable from the front of the unit.
Click Here to visit Creative Labs
who offer sound cards, speakers, portable digital audio, webcams, cd-rws, and graphic cards.
- Speakers
A pair of computer speakers enable you to hear music and sounds with greater clarity and are essential if you wish to create or listen to music on your pc. EQ and Volume controls are desirable but not essential as many software players have these functions.
- Modem with internet connection
Although you do not need a modem to create and play karaoke files, access to the internet allows users to find and download players, midi files, lyrics, plugins and karaoke software some of which are cheap or even FREE!
- Microphone
If you want to sing along or record yourself along with your karaoke player/recorder then a microphone is required. Some soundcards come with a microphone in the package but most need to be purchased seperately. The standard pc microphone is fine if all you want to do is just sing along and don't care too much about the quality of sound but other options are available for those who require a more professional sound.
Desirable features include, on/off switch on the mic, decent grip and a reasonable length lead/cord to allow for freedom of movement. Click Here to read more about microphones or visit the Karaoke Microphone Shop.
Handy Links
Software Synthesizers
Information, downloads and reviews for a wide range of software synthesizers at SonicSpot.
Software Synthesizers
Information, downloads and reviews for a wide range of software synthesizers at Shareware Music Machine.
Turtle Beach
Soundcards and other audio products.
Yamaha
Music Software site provides all the latest news on current products including the vPlayer, multimedia player for musical instruments and their own XG and new XF midifiles which contain both lyrics and chord data embedded in the file.
Roland
Makers of Roland Sound Canvas and a wide range of musical instruments, multimedia and desktop products. Users of the VSC-55 or 88Me receive discount on the price when upgraded to the latest Sound Canvas Software.
Edirol
Division of Roland supplying driver updates, patches and demo software of the VSC-55, VSC-88Me and other products for PC's and Mac's.
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