Karaoke glossary
Use the karaoke glossary to understand some of the
jargon and terms used within the world of karaoke.
Simply click on a term below to see an explanation.
- CDG
A CDG (CD Graphics) is the most popular karaoke disc format and will play in any karaoke player that is CDG compatible.
CDG karaoke discs will also play in normal CD players however for the lyrics to be displayed you need a CDG player
connected to a TV or monitor.
CDGs do not contain lead vocals.
- VCD
A VCD (Video CD) uses the MPEG-1 format and can only be played in a VCD compatible player although many DVD players will play them.
VCD karaoke discs contain video backgrounds with the lyrics displayed over the top.
VCDs usually do not contain lead vocals.
- DVD
A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can only be played in a DVD player.
DVD karaoke discs tend to be more expensive with fewer tracks available as the format hasn't really taken off.
DVD karaoke discs are superior to other formats in that they contain higher quality sound, graphics and backgrounds
as well as enabling features such as removable lead vocals
- MP3+G
mp3+G or mp3 graphics are very similar to the mp3 files most people will be familiar with.
2 files, an ordinary mp3 music file and a graphics file
are run together using a special mp3+g player or software to produce the music and the on screen lyrics.
This karaoke format is growing in popularity as karaoke downloads take off.
- NEO+G
NEO+G is a proprietary format developed by RSQ and you must have an RSQ NEO
compatible player to play an NEO+G disc.
NEO+G just have the same quality as a CD+G but they allow for more tracks (up to about 75) on a disc and have more advanced functions.
Specific features include
- Many more songs per disc
- List of songs displayed on the TV screen
- Search and reserve songs while playing
- Reserve songs in advance to sing
- Skips silent introduction
- Rewind, Fast forward, Pause without breaking graphics
- Direct access to the song you want to play
- Sub-Code
Sub-code is an area on standard CD's where manufacturers can store data.
CDG Karaoke discs utilise this area to store the graphics and lyrics information to display on screen
- NTSC
There are various TV/Video display standards NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) being used in the United States and a few other countries.
- PAL
There are various TV/Video display standards PAL (phase-alternating line) being the British standard that is used widely throughout the world.
- Vocal Cancel
Vocal Cancel allows you to remove the lead vocals CDGM (Multiplex) karaoke discs.
It works by is done by canceling out the left channel where the vocals are recorded and
splitting the right channel with no vocals to both left and right.
- Key Changer
Unlike digital key control a key changer allows the user to change the pitch of the music by adjusting the temp (speed)
- RF modulator
An RF (radio frequency) modulator is used to convert the video output from a karaoke player (or similar
video device) to connect directly to an aerial socket on your TV when it does not have a scart or video input.
- AV
- AV or A/V is an abbreviation for Audio/Visual.
- CDGM
A CDGM (CDG Multiplex) karaoke disc is a type of CDG karaoke disc.
When played in a karaoke player with a multiplex button (MPX) a player with a pan/balance control you can turn off the lead vocals.
- Karaoke
Karaoke literally means "Empty Orchestra" and is originally from Japan.
Typically people sing along to backing tracks made to sound like popular chart tracks with the words displayed on the screen.
- SCDG
SCDG (Super CDG karaoke discs) are a proprietary format that uses compression to
allow over 1,000 songs to be stored on a single karaoke disc.
It was developed by CAVS and adopted by a number of other karaoke disc manufacturers.
You must have a Super CDG player or CAVS downloadable PC software to play a Super CDG disc.
- MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard specification that enable electronic
instruments from any manufacturer to communicate with one another.
MIDI tracks will vary in quality depending on the device you are using to play
them (e.g. sound card midi device or high end synthesiser)
- Digital Key Control
Digital Key control allows the user to change the pitch of the music without adjusting the tempo (speed)
- PA
A PA or Public Address system typically uses high end amplifiers and speakers to relay sound to an audience or crowd.
They are often used for karaoke, discos and events.
- Balance
A control that adjusts the level of sound coming from the left and right speaker
- CD
The Compact Disc was developed by Philips and Sony, and was first used commercially for storing digital audio however it is now used widely for all sorts of data applications.
- KJ
Like a traditional DJ or Disc Jokey the Karaoke Jokey (KJ) plays karaoke tracks as well as regular music.
- Laser disc
Laser discs were like 12 inch CD's and were an early method of producing karaoke discs and they are now more or less extinct.
- Component Video
Some players and TV/monitors support component video.
The connection consists of 3 primary color signals red, green and blue the together convey
all necessary picture information.
Current consumer video products use luminance (Y) and two color
difference signals (PP, PR) each on a separate wire
- Composite Video
Composite Video video signals include both luminance (brightness) and chrominance (color) signals encoded together so only a single connection wire is needed.
Composite video connections are typically a yellow RCA/Phono connection
- MCPS
The MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society) administers Mechanical and Synchronization
licensing for Publishers and music library owners in the UK.
- SECAM
There are various TV/Video display standards SECAM (Sequential Colour a Memoire) being used in France and eastern Europe.
- Vocal Partner
A facility on CDGM (Multiplex) karaoke discs which cuts out the lead vocals once the karaoke singer starts to sing into the microphone.
- Vocal reducer
A facility that reduces the lead vocals on an ordinary music cd. This usually only reduces the voice without cancelling it completely. It may also reduce some of the music which is in the middle range of the audio frequencies.
- Tone
A control that adjusts the balance of bass and treble (high and low frequencies)
- RCA connector
RCA connectors or phono plugs are usually used to make connections between CD players, Amplifiers, TVs, etc.
- Digital Echo
Digital echo is popular effect with karaoke singers that gives the vocals a spacious or ambient sound.
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AV
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Balance
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CD
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CDG
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CDGM
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Component Video
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Composite Video
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Digital Echo
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Digital Key Control
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DVD
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Karaoke
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Key Changer
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KJ
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Laser disc
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MCPS
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MIDI
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MP3+G
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NEO+G
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NTSC
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PA
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PAL
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RCA connector
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RF modulator
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SCDG
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SECAM
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Sub-Code
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Tone
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VCD
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Vocal Cancel
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Vocal Partner
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Vocal reducer
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