At the end of 2025 we are to retire from karaoke entertainment.
Our karaoke retirement culminates 44 years of karaoke service.

We began to offer karaoke entertainment in 1981. At this time karaoke was in its infancy, you either played from VHS tape or Pioneer karaoke laser discs.

Pioneer karaoke discs were either 30cm or 20cm in diameter. The 30cm discs contained about 25 songs.
I used VHS tapes. I had two Panasonic Hi-Fi VHS players, and each one had the same 3-hour cassette tape that contained around 50 to 60 songs. Each song was digitally marked for easy access using fast forward/rewind search.

Basically, it was the difference between cooking on a gas stove or electric stove. Each provided the same entertainment experience.

Karaoke Advice and the best settings

Karaoke has evolved over the years, and we have gladly kept up with it – especially moving to computers with high-definition MP4 video files. Over the past six or seven years it has been a joy to log into Sunfly or Zoom Karaoke and buy what you need.

To obtain a beautiful well balanced karaoke sound is actually easy:

1. Get the signal correct
2. Select the most transparent reverb setting
3. Finally, the mix

You have to forget cheap rubbish microphones. We used Shure beta 58’s which are professional singers microphones.
The difference is vast; almost zero handling noise, excellent feedback rejection, and very rugged.
On one occasion a young boy literally throw the microphone on to the stage floor after he finished his song. The microphone was fine, and thankfully I had the bass reduced, otherwise the bass speaker may have been damaged.

The correct reverb setting is quite personal. I settled on a plate reverb setting.

I have used many different mixers and controllers over the years, from Denon and Pioneer, to Rane and Allen & Heath, and have always gone back to Allen & Heath – Their kit is so good.

Why karaoke retirement?

Karaoke is fun for those performing, but for the operator it can be stressful.

In recent years, I have noticed a shift in attitudes, and unfortunately, this shift can quickly become rude and non-manageable.
From guests unwilling to read the available printed song lists, to others who stand in your face demanding, “I want to sing my song now.” Regardless if you have other singers scheduled before, or even if the dance floor is packed during a current disco set.

I feel it is the perfect moment for karaoke retirement, and fully concentrate on being the best DJ for my customers.

Thank you to all past karaoke customers. You custom has been much appreciated, with love.

UPDATE:
Karaoke is still available for Gospel Events, and we are currently growing our song list.