We’re going to look at 18 important criteria that will help you choose a professional home karaoke.
This article will be useful for both beginners who know absolutely nothing about modern karaoke and experienced home singers. Beginners will be able to understand what criteria they should pay attention to when choosing high-quality karaoke equipment. Experienced karaokers might think about improving or even completely upgrading their karaoke set.
After reading this article, you will be able to choose a modern karaoke set independently and, most importantly, professionally. You will also learn about the main trends of 2024 and life hacks.
What can karaoke be like?
Professional karaoke is traditionally divided into karaoke for home and karaoke for business. These two lines have a lot in common, but there are also fundamental differences.
The main thing you need to understand is that home karaoke is professional equipment that is practically as good as club karaoke. For a home karaoke system, the most important priority is ease of use, while for a system in a venue, the availability of club functions and options is crucial.
☝For example
You, as a home karaoker, are unlikely to use the ‘Black List’ function, but for a club, the issue of banning certain songs or even all songs by a certain artist is sometimes very important. Also, sitting at home with your friends and family, you won’t use the advertising features. But if you sell cruise tickets or do network marketing, thanks to modern karaoke, your friends can watch your super offer on the screen with karaoke titles))
In all other respects, home karaoke offers performers the same quality of backing tracks as in a club and almost identical functionality.
Home karaoke can be divided into:
- Karaoke players
- Karaoke microphones
- Online karaoke
- Karaoke apps (karaoke for smartphones)
- Karaoke consoles
- Karaoke machines
- Professional karaoke systems
Karaoke players
A karaoke player is an ordinary home DVD player that plays back the tracks from a disc. It may have some sound mixing functions.For a long time, players were the main equipment for home karaoke until they were replaced by professional karaoke systems.The main problem with the players is the discs containing the backing tracks and the paper catalogue.
To play a particular track, you need to find the appropriate disc (after looking through several dozen paper catalogues), insert it into the DVD drive, wait for the player to read the disc, and enter the desired track number. It’s very time-consuming, extremely inconvenient, and ultimately, extremely annoying.This process takes from 3 to 10 minutes, which makes it impossible to have a non-stop party.
Moreover, the quality of the soundtracks on the discs is, to put it mildly, not the best. Most of them are midi files.This means that you’ll be singing to a backing track played on a synthesizer and recorded using a PC – you won’t hear any live instruments, of course.
It’s also worth noting that a disc is not the most reliable means of storing backing tracks. Over time, the disc may get scratched or damaged, which will affect the playback quality of an already substandard karaoke track.
Karaoke microphones
Karaoke microphones are not a new invention; they have been occupying the niche of budget devices for two decades. We are not talking about any quality of tracks or system capabilities here. Although some karaoke microphones have the ability to apply voice effects.
But in general, this is a toy that can keep a child busy and is not a pity to break. Nevertheless, the microphones are in some demand, in particular, due to their low price. You will use them exclusively in conjunction with your gadget or TV, which turns on YouTube with a pirated karaoke song.
It’s a dubious pleasure, of course, but the kids are delighted, especially in the first hour of use. The next day, their interest usually drops to zero.
Online karaoke
Online karaoke is a relatively new phenomenon on the market, and I thought for a long time whether to add it to the list. It is a website or a channel on a streaming platform that allows you to sing to a backing track from a laptop screen or SMART TV.
The only advantage of online karaoke is the price. Usually, it is available to users for free, but in most cases it is illegal due to numerous copyright infringements.
There are services that manage to actively sell advertising, and as a result, your performance after the first verse is interrupted by a 30-second commercial of a bookmaker or another dating service. It’s not the most pleasant experience, but it’s free.
Karaoke apps for smartphones
Smartphone apps are a diverse and relatively new trend in the karaoke industry. Some apps expand the possibilities of home and club karaoke, help in managing professional karaoke equipment, and simplify the acceptance of orders from club guests. These are companion apps to professional karaoke equipment that are a must-have for the industry.
Other apps have full functionality, an extensive catalogue, the ability to record performances, and a convenient subscription. However, you should clearly understand that with an app, you will be singing into your smartphone, and this is a completely different experience than singing into a microphone and hearing yourself sing in a professional audio system. And yes, you will be singing into wired headphones. Because the Bluetooth technology used by wireless headphones has a delay in sound transmission. This means that you will hear your voice a few milliseconds later, but it will be enough to make singing unbearable. And one more thing, if you have Android, you will only be able to sing properly with a flagship smartphone from a well-known brand. Otherwise, you will experience the same delay… Most applications, after experiencing huge difficulties in developing with Android devices, abandoned this idea and focused on developing and supporting only the iPhone version.
Karaoke machines
Karaoke machines are probably the most popular option for home karaoke for children in the United States. This device includes a speaker and a microphone. Usually, karaoke machines are sold by unknown manufacturers who order a certain batch of devices from factories in China and then sell them on Amazon. Of course, contract manufacturing minimises the cost of production: they choose the most budgetary speakers for the acoustics, a plastic case for the speaker (which wobbles and rattles when you sing), and the cheapest wired microphone (wireless microphones are an impossible luxury). You find karaoke content on your own. There are just a few devices that offer a limited number of pre-installed songs. The remaining 99% of devices are designed to be used in conjunction with a tablet or TV and YouTube.
In the classification of equipment, a karaoke machine is located somewhere between a karaoke player and a karaoke microphone.
Karaoke consoles
Karaoke consoles differ from karaoke players in that they provide access to karaoke tracks by subscription. Most of the time, karaoke consoles are no longer amateur equipment on the level of karaoke players. Some of them have a decent set of functions for full-fledged karaoke at home. They have a convenient search, new products are regularly added, effects settings are more or less implemented, microphones can be adjusted, etc. The main difference from professional equipment is the karaoke catalogue. In set-top boxes, manufacturers provide access to a limited number of songs, thus separating their fleet of devices. To use an example from the automotive industry: karaoke consoles are a basic A-class car, while karaoke systems are luxury F and S-class cars.
Unfortunately, there are very few high-quality karaoke consoles on the market. Some of them were in high demand due to their affordable price and are now sold out. Manufacturers are reluctant to release devices in the budget price category, as the costs of producing karaoke content, dividends to rights holders, and the cost of launching a production line are often disproportionate to future revenues and can balance on the edge of profitability. According to my forecasts, we are unlikely to see a truly worthwhile karaoke console in the next 1-2 years…
Professional karaoke systems
Home karaoke systems appeared at the exact same time when club karaokers wanted to sing at home. Their requirements for home karaoke were just as high as for club karaoke. After all, once you’ve tried something from the premium segment, you’re not ready to compromise on quality.
A home karaoke system is a professional karaoke equipment that is almost no different from karaoke for business. You can sing at home just like in a karaoke club. You have access to the full karaoke catalogue, as well as to new releases. Moreover, you can buy songs individually, not in song packages, as in club systems. You can set up your microphones, control karaoke with gadgets, and connect karaoke to your smart home system. Home systems are first-class, premium devices. Home and club karaoke systems work with the same song database of licensed backing tracks, have similar functions, and process vocals with the same quality. Both systems are professional solutions and, apart from a number of features required for the work of a sound engineer in an institution, they do not differ in any way.
What should modern karaoke have in 2024?
Professional home karaoke in 2024 should have a set of mandatory options. Let me mention the main ones that you should pay attention to when choosing equipment. It’s a must-have, otherwise, you’ll end up buying outdated equipment.
1. Easy connection of microphones
At least two (and preferably 4) microphones directly* to the karaoke system or microphones included in the kit (in this case, it is advisable that the receiver, aka the base/receiver, is built into the karaoke system)
* This connection implies the absence of an intermediary device such as a mixing console.
Firstly, additional equipment means an additional budget.
Secondly, it means additional space – the mixing console must be freely accessible for quick changes to the settings.
Thirdly, someone has to operate it, and for this, you need to devote some time to studying the mixer’s capabilities.
2. Support for 4K resolution
I think that nowadays it is much more difficult to find a device that does not support 4K than vice versa. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the karaoke industry. There are practically no manufacturers on the market that are ready to offer you juicy, vivid titles and backgrounds. This is because manufacturers have been creating low-quality karaoke content for decades (videos with titles in 360p and 480p resolution, very rarely 720p), which requires a lot of investment, both in terms of time and money.
3. Bluetooth remote control
I am deeply convinced that selling devices with IR remote controls in 2024 is disrespectful to your consumers. A modern remote control should work via Bluetooth. It should have a full-size keyboard for quick and easy song search.
4. Control from a smartphone
All modern technology is controlled from a smartphone, and karaoke is no exception. Before buying a karaoke machine, install the mobile app and try using it. If it feels comfortable and convenient, it’s great, and you’ll probably feel the same way when using your chosen karaoke system. The quality of a mobile app can mostly be considered as an indicator of the quality of a karaoke system. I have never seen a combination of ‘great mobile app + bad karaoke system’, but a bad app for controlling a mediocre karaoke system is not uncommon)
5. Songs in PRO format
The era of copper is long gone. Professional karaoke uses original backing tracks obtained from copyright holders or made by musicians themselves and recorded in studios. In this case, I recommend paying attention to the companies that, in addition to producing karaoke equipment, are also producers of karaoke content.
This is a big plus for you as a karaoker. You can be sure of the high quality of such karaoke content and, what is no less important, influence further updates – send requests to the company to add your favourite songs. Such manufacturers are very customer-oriented and take into account the wishes of their users above all.
In some premium karaoke systems, you can even find songs in FLAC format, which is a sign of quality and a benchmark in the industry.
6. Integration with smart home systems
As they say, smart karaoke in a smart home. A nice option.
7. Built-in Wi-Fi
It’s the same as with 4K or Bluetooth remote control – it’s a must-have.
8. High-quality microphone settings
In most cases, you’ll only need to adjust the volume of the microphones, but sometimes you’ll need to do more fine-tuning. This can be done with a mixer or a parametric equaliser. In some cases, adjusting the settings with a parametric EQ helps users get rid of unnecessary feedback from the microphones.
9. Regularly update the karaoke catalogue
I would add one more adjective to this point: timely. This is very important, as the life cycle of some songs is a couple of weeks. If you wait for a month for the company to provide you with an update, the song will probably have already lost its relevance. Look for those companies that release new songs at least weekly, or better yet, several times a week.
10. Appearance and components
If there is nothing written on the equipment page about the manufacturing technology of the karaoke equipment, then the manufacturer probably has nothing to be proud of. And usually, companies like to brag and do not miss this opportunity. Pay attention to the companies that reveal the secret of their equipment’s filling – it indicates the company’s technological capability and modern approach to development.
Additionally, but not necessarily
Some nuances have more of an aesthetic effect, but can be extremely important for certain users.
11. The ability to choose the colour of the case
It’s simple: the more colour options there are, the more likely you are to choose the colour that suits you and your interior.
12. Additional products and accessories
For example, some companies offer convenient cases for transporting the karaoke system and microphones as part of the package or as an additional purchase. And if you’re considering a karaoke system as a gift, it’s definitely a good decision. The case often makes an unforgettable impression on the birthday person just by looking at it. Your gift can impress even before it is opened.
13. The ability to customise the captions
I always prefer custom solutions. You can combine the classic two-line karaoke credits at the bottom of the screen with a 4-line centreline one – especially for duet songs, when each of the performers will know in advance when to start singing and can prepare in advance.
14. Parental control
This is an important point for parents. Especially when you need to set up the karaoke system again after your child has used it – and this is the best option. In the worst case scenario, you have to call the support service for advice to return everything to the way it was. To avoid such situations, manufacturers have come up with child protection. In karaoke, this feature is also relevant because your children will not have access to purchasing content, as well as to content with foul language.
15. SSD drive instead of HDD disc
SSDs have a lot of advantages over HDDs, namely: silent operation, higher speed, smaller disc size = smaller karaoke system size, durability, and resistance to transportation (you can travel with your karaoke system and take it on a visit with confidence).
16. Recording of performances
If the recording is really good, it’s a big plus. Some manufacturers guarantee the quality like in a recording studio. This will allow you to create your own video clips. It’s also a great way to improve your vocal skills. You can listen to and analyse your recordings, understanding what and where you need to improve and correct.
17. Original music videos in the background
Of course, this feature is optional. But you should know that singing along with your favourite original music videos in the background is addictive. It evokes nostalgia and unique emotions.
18. Singing assessment
It’s always interesting to know how well you’ve performed a song. It is also important to understand the progress. If your score increases with subsequent attempts, then you can rejoice in your noticeable results. The main thing is that the singing score should be reasonable, not like in karaoke from the 90s: ‘You have 100 points, you sing great’…
Conclusions
Well… Now you know almost all the details that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing really high-quality equipment. When you sing, you are really happy. It is quite difficult to enjoy yourself and be happy when something makes you uncomfortable. If you choose the right karaoke system, this is impossible.
Sing with pleasure!
