Are Karaoke CDG Discs The Right Karaoke Format For You?

Karaoke CDG discs are the most common formatted media for Karaoke machines. But the CDG format is just one of six Karaoke media formats. Consequently there can be a lot of confusion as to what you get and what you are not getting when buying a karaoke player, and the content you will use.

The CDG format alone is known by 3 other names - CD+Graphics, CD+G, and Karaoke CD. Smart people will purchase their Karaoke player and the media to use with it after doing a bit of research to fully understand the different options they have available. Karaoke parties will be a huge success if the chosen media matches the system and media to your expectations.

Karaoke Basics:

Karaoke is an increasingly popular form of entertainment that allows a person to sing-along while displaying the lyrics on a screen. The media is in the format of a compact disc and can have a lead vocal or just the accompaniment soundtrack. The media is not a recording with the original artist, and it may vary slightly from the original recording, but it does remain true to the artist's original tempo and style.

You will need a special karaoke player. Simply stated it is a CD player with the capability to play karaoke CDG discs. Also, keep in mind that a karaoke player is a component and as such requires the amplifier and screen of your TV set. A portable karaoke player is ideal for a home entertainment type of application, and will come with at least one microphone.

You can get started with Karaoke for as little as $40. But also available are professional, disc jockey type systems and all-in-one-systems that can sell for up to $700.

Common Karaoke Format Types:

CDG: They will play in any karaoke player with a CDG format, and they will play in any ordinary CD player with only the music and no lyrics being playable. CDG's will usually have background vocals (i.e. chorus or harmonies), but do not have any lead vocals on them.

CDGM: These are special karaoke CDG discs that typically have only 1/2 the songs of a CDG. This is because each song they do contain has 2 versions. One with a lead vocal, so you can sing-along and learn, and the other without the lead vocal. If your player has a multiplex button or a pan/balance control you will be able to turn the lead vocal on or off as needed. If you don't have such a control simply switch tracks when needed.

VCD: This format is not used in North America but is very popular in Asia. A VCD can only be played on a VCD compatible player. The biggest additional feature of this format type is that the video will have a moving background that the lyrics are displayed over. VCD stands for Video Compact Disc.

Super CDG: This is a format that can only be played on a Super CDG player. It is a proprietary format, and its main advantage is that a Super CDG can store up to 1,000 songs. It also can be played on a PC if you download the proprietary software from the developer - CAVS.

NEO+G: Another proprietary format that can only be played on a RSQ NEO compatible player. It holds more songs than CDG discs, but the sound quality and graphics are equal to a CDG. The big difference is the many advanced features. You can pre-program songs and access any song directly to state a couple of the popular features.

DVD: This format is growing in popularity because the on-screen graphics are a much higher quality, and it provides an on-screen menu. A DVD compatible player is required. The disc holds many more songs and may contain removable lead vocals. Thus it is a more expensive format than a CDG.

A Short Note On Compact Discs:

There are two kinds of karaoke compact discs - CD's and CDM's. Neither includes on-screen lyrics and both will play on any CD player. The distinguishing feature of a CDM is like a CDGM. There is an extra track that carries the lead vocal.

Karaoke is great fun. There are many songs available, and karaoke CDG discs make great gifts to your friends that own a player. There is even the convenience of purchasing an entire theme packet like Country Western, Pop, or Head bangers. We recommend you join the fun immediately!

Watch This Video For Some Simple Tips On How To Download A Free Karaoke Player And Karaoke Songs.