I need to do a Karaoke system for a residential media room and the client doesn't want to deal with discs.

I've done a number of disc based Karaoke installs so familiar with all the other aspects (mics, mixers, reverb units, adequate speakers, etc.), but don't have any idea where to start with software based Karaoke.

I'm envisioning a Mac Mini in the rack running karaoke software with HDMI out to the display and some type of subscription based music library where the client can just pay an annual fee and then have access to a large library of songs.

I searched the forum and came up with suggestions like kjams, tricersoft, chartbuster, etc. but still looks like a bit of a kludge to put together.

Ideally the user interface would be through the Mac Mini using a wireless keyboard and mouse displayed on the screen, but an iPad app for music selection and control would be great too.

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Therapy? For the client?

Client throws frequent parties and has friends who like karaoke so he wants to include karaoke in the new media room for their entertainment.

Not the type of crowd that will fumble around with discs when they want to find a song and use the system so I'm tying to come up with a better solution.

Sunfly karaoke is all downloadable for content. There is A Mac based karaoke system called kjams that is pretty slick. No discs. Need a Mac, mixer, amps and mics.
I've used an old MacBook, mini display out to a tv, audio out of the Mac headphone jack into a fender mini PA system passport 150 or similar. Works great.

I spent some more time looking at kJams and it looks like it will work as the karaoke player software. The client will still need to purchase songs or a subscription to a streaming service to get the content.

jKams seems to support the following three Music Stores, but the more I look into them the more alarming this type of setup seems:

1. Chartbuster: Chartbuster seems to have been recently acquired by DigiTrax who seems to be re-working the product into a web based app called KaraokeCloud.

2. Tricerasoft: Appears to have a subscription based service where you enter a Streaming ID into the kjams software to access their database of songs. It's not clear to me if all the songs show up and are searchable or if you'd have you search and download individual songs before you can use them.

3.Music Store/Karaoke Locker: Looks like you can purchase songs here, but I don't see any options for subscription based services. jKams provides this ominous warning on their website:

WARNING: The songs in this store are unfortunately NOT licensed for public performance. Sound Choice is suing everybody left and right for using them. They originally licensed their songs to Stingray for digital downloads, but did not specify clearly that they were not allowed for use in public venues. Now, they're saying "you can't do that" and are going around suing all their loyal customers. Note this is not Stingray doing this, but Sound Choice. (If you didn't know, Karaoke Locker brand's it's songs as "Karaoke Channel", but the company is actually "Venue VJ", which get's it's songs from Stingray, which licenses it's songs from Sound Choice. Did you get that?)

I guess I thought there would be a more polished solution out there and looking around these sites doesn't create any confidence that the service will be around and continue working.

I still think a subscription type service is ideal because new songs will be automatically added, but if there was potentially a way to purchase a large block of songs to install this might work too.  The problem with this approach is now all these purchased songs would need to be backed up.

Would appreciate any additional feedback from others who have experience with this.  This is for a residential system and needs to be easy to use and reliable.

I've never done karaoke, but wouldn't you need a 2nd display to both read the lyrics and face the crowd? Maybe a portable unit that is wheeled out, with an integrated display, with AV outs could work? AV input plate at the front of the room?

Not really a crowd here, just a bunch of drunk friends.  The media room will have an 80" TV so everyone will just face the display.

It sounds like some of the Karaoke software have a remote app that might allow you to que songs and also see the lyrics on an iPad.  This would work well allowing people to search and queue up songs while soemone else is singing.

This is the part I haven't done before.  All the other karaoke systems I've put in have been disc based.

you need to sell him some type of confidence monitor for sure!! 32"-50" facing stage. having the singers face TV sux. at least mention it to him.

I know this is good advice, but it's not going to happen in this room.  Room dimensions are only 18' x 20' and primary use will be for TV & movies.

They want karaoke feature, but operation needs to be as simple as press a button on the remote, use a wireless keyboard (or iPad app) to pick songs and then pull a couple wireless mics out of the drawer and start singing.

They won't go through the trouble of rolling out any extra equipment or plugging anything in when they want to use it.  The room design and decor also won't allow for a second permanent TV.

If the room was going to be used primarily for karaoke, the design would need to be much different, but the reality is the karaoke feature will probably only be used once or twice a month.

The client isn't a serious karaoke aficionado, they just want something fun after the booze has been flowing so they can laugh at each other.

i got it. No question, it will work without one. Like you said if it was purpose built room a different approach would be needed. still sounds like a fun client. Let us know what you come up with and how it works.

Keep digging, find out what clubs and bars use.

Walk into a few karaoke bars and ask.

Find the best solution, and put a price on it, so they can understand a few compromises may be in order.