PK
....This was one that I was seriously looking at. But, I do need try the demo for sure. Just seems like some of the users were having problems with crashes. Think it had to do with singer history malfunctions. Read about it in their forum/user groups. Thanks, Dude!

I agree! Siglos is a better deal compared to Hoster and I like the fact that the pro version comes with two different mode, the regular Siglos Karaoke Player and the pro KJ version!! I use the regular version for my solo performance and the pro when doing karaoke nights Also, Siglos has a much better sound engine

Don't know if every software has this "skip silence at the beginning and at the end of the song" option, but it's cool especially if you wish to hide the SC logo

Hey Micky,
...Thanks for the input. Think I'm gonna try the demo. I know once I get back out to doing commercial shows I'm gonna need a CDG Player for Singer's Disc and my SC Discs. Just don't want to lug around my CDG Hardware Player anymore with everything else.

Quote From You (not me but too funny):
Don't know if every software has this "skip silence at the beginning and at the end of the song" option, but it's cool especially if you wish to hide the SC logo [/quote]

....However, I have nothing to hide but thanks......crazy

....Any feedback/comments on Tricerasoft Swift Elite 4.0 karaoke player? Anyone tried it? Anywhere to look up reviews/ratings? Thanks!

As everyone is saying in these posts it is a matter of preference. I have been a karaoke host for almost 30 years (yes back in the days of 8 track karaoke and cassette tracks as well as a music stand and words on a piece of paper). First I should mention that I am the developer of the software I am going to tell you about. Included with the software is s songbook creator, and a karaoke kiosk program (currently under development - being tested at a couple of venues for the last 6 weeks). The kiosk program will be available for $10 as a seperate download. The song book creator program will be available for download shortly for $10 as a standalone program. It has been included with the program for three years. Both the kiosk and the song book program will require one time access to your karaoke songs to create a data file. There are no limitations on how many computers that you install the program on (although if you are a host running ten different shows using my program to make money I hope you will buy a second copy).
I provide my personal phone number to every purchaser to provide support on that Sunday night show when all of a sudden you can't get the second monitor to display in Windows and can't figure out why - - and yes I know that's a windows problem and not the fault of my software but when under pressure your just want someone to help you). I provide a support tool which with your permission (you have to run the program) I can come on your computer and help you with any problems you may have.
For ripping I provide the excellent freeware program Audiograbber, preconfigured to rip karaoke discs, along with a pdf manual showing you how to use audiograbber. To display the graphics I use the open source Karaoke for DirectX including a custom installer (and to the person who asked if you can play karaoke in media player, google karaoke for directx on sourceforge - download and install it on your computer, open a cdg file with media player, and when asked if you want to play this file, click on remember this setting, and then OK - and your karaoke cdg will play in WMP). Also if you install karaoke for directx go to the cdg tab and uncheck channels 2, 8 and 9 and make sure all the other channels are checked - required for SAV discs.
My software has evolved mainly from customer requests (such as the ability to play a mp3 or midi file and control a PDF on the singer screen). It works on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and the current preview version of Windows 8. It supports both 32 and 64 bit versions of this software. I try to release added functionality every two weeks or so and all updates are free forever. Take a look at http://grahamskaraokesystem.com. I believe it is easy to use ( of course I am biased - but I have a customer around 80 using the software in a trailer park in Florida and he has no problems. When he started he did not even know how to turn a laptop on (must admit there were a lot of support calls on that one).
I apologize if I am not supposed to recommend my own software here but it seemed relevant to the topic.
Graham

In my opinion, all of the karaoke software out there that are for karaoke alone are not worth the price including Siglos, which I evaluated. I'm currently using VirtualDJ home edition, which is free. I was using Karafun's free version, which is probably the best free karaoke software designed for karaoke only. I've decided to look for a good DJ software such as VirtualDJ Pro Full or Basic or some other DJ software with video. I also downloaded ClubDJProVJ5 for evaluation, which appears to be a pretty good DJ software and is capable of displaying video within the software, can handle ASIO sound cards, and will record a quality track. Then again, I'm not a DJ so I'm not one to give DJ software advice. I've also noticed how much better the sound is with ASIO. The only deterrent to buying a good DJ program is that they are expensive, obviously because they are designed for professional use. Anyway, I would rather splurge for a good DJ software even if I'm also buying stuff I don't need then to buy Siglos or use Karafun, which are not bad, but are also far from being the best karaoke software on the market. It seems to me that all the karaoke programs that are designed just for karaoke, as opposed to karaoke/DJing are not worth it.

yeah...................karaoke software does tend to be designed for karaoke, just like DJ software tends to be designed for DJ use.
and that is a surprise?

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

But DJ software is also designed for karaoke. DUH!

Got it now?!

Actually in my opinion, the software that tries to do both never does well for the karaoke side, mostly because they are made by people who mostly do DJ work..

I haven't found a dj software that does 'both' do what I need it to do as a karaoke only software - which I only do. I have my karaoke software strictly designed for it & my dj software - strictly designed for it. Again, never found one that I would rely on strictly for both.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I will never understand how people can spend thousands of dollars on speakers, amps, mixers, effects, lights, etc. And then say $129 is too expensive for THE most important link in the chain!.

I'm with Lon. There are DJ packages that also do Karaoke, but they are lackluster. I use PCDJ when doing a dance show and it will do Karaoke too, but it's very simplistic.

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Like Lonnie, I do a Karaoke show only (however, I will be posting about something that happened this past weekend that has me re-thinking this).

Anyway, I really like Karma. It is of course designed around karaoke and for that I think it does a fine job. But i am also going to evaluate Hoster this week just to see what the fuss is all about. I know several folks here use it and really like it. My initial experience with it was that it was just too busy for my taste. But i am keeping an open mind and trying it out again this week.

-Chris

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Work hard. Play hard. Land face down.

I did spend a good amount of money for a mixer, microphones, compressor, and sound card; however, I'm not complaining about software prices. I would have no problem spending $129 for karaoke software with an intuitive interface, can handle ASIO, can handle the various karaoke file types, record, has EQ and/or base, midrange and treble, and is stable. I've noticed that depending on the karaoke program, karaoke tracks may sound better on one versus another. And because I'm using an ASIO sound card it looks like I have to buy DJ software that can handle ASIO.

I use ASIO on my Audio2DJ card with Siglos. internally, most of the karaoke programs use the same BASS engine as the major DJ programs, so you should see no difference in sound quality.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

According to an Admin at PowerKaraoke.com which is the site that sells Siglos, as of September 2010, Siglos does not support ASIO.

Here is the link to the forum where I found this info.
http://www.powerkaraoke.com/forum/about5120.html

I also don't see anything in the current specs that says Siglos supports ASIO, which I'm sure would be mentioned if it were supported.

Just wondering if ASIO is supported win WMP on Windows 7. As a developer of karaoke software I would like to add support for ASIO if possible. I do not know a lot about ASIO and as such would like to ask a couple of questions. Is ASIO only available on breakout boards or is there an internal card available. Could you suggest a couple of brands to try.
Thanks

ASIO is supported by high end cards that are generally for studio recording, e.g. E-MU 1212m, as well as the RME Hammerfall DSP 9652, and many others including M-Audio sound cards. I have the E-MU 1212m PCIe (about $160 - $200), which has a daughter card for connections to a mixer, amplifier, etc. I would suggest you Google "studio sound cards". There are many, many ASIO compatible internal cards and USB breakout cards on the market. From what I have read, the RME high end cards (about $800 or more) are good enough for professional studios. The E-MU 1212m is good if you can understand Patchmix, which is routing and mixing software. A lot of people like the E-MU sound quality but don't like Patchmix.

[/quote]
I've noticed that depending on the karaoke program, karaoke tracks may sound better on one versus another. And because I'm using an ASIO sound card it looks like I have to buy DJ software that can handle ASIO.[/quote]

Not just karaoke tracks, any audio file will play different on different players, and the fact that you can play an audio track in Asio or without as nothing to do in the sound? I don't see the need of finding a karaoke player that can play in Asio??? If you want good sound, just import your karaoke tracks in 24bit and play them in Karawin or I believe Karafun will support it

Software that are using the Bass engine are often superior in sound quality as opposed to home made sound engine like MTU products for examples (my opinion), but I must admit that Siglos is pretty good even though it's not using the Bass engine

well.......i use siglos, and i use an ASIO sound card, so i am not sure what you are trying to do that isn't already done. perhaps i misunderstood.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Jim,

I think you need to understand the definition and utility of an ASIO driver

ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output), developed by Steinberg, is a cross-platform, multi-channel audio transfer protocol that is being adopted by many of the manufacturers of audio/MIDI sequencing applications. It allows software to have access to the multi-channel capabilities of a wide range of powerful sound cards.

ASIO expands on the basic capabilities of a standard computer sound card, most of which can only provide stereo (two-channel) audio input and output. The ASIO specification defines the interface that manufacturers of professional audio sound cards must use to create an ASIO driver for their hardware. This driver allows the host audio/MIDI application to "see" all of the inputs and outputs available on the sound card. The user can then assign these I/O ports as needed for recording or playback when using an ASIO-compatible software program. This allows the users to record more tracks simultaneously than the previous limitation of two channels imposed by a standard sound card.

Not sure if you are trying to record in multi-tracks with Siglos but it won't work!!