Karaoke Book Software

I know that we have spoken about this briefly before. I have had a few members asking questions about karaoke book software. So I wanted to ask everyone to please post which software you use for your books and the pros and cons of the software.


I use airwer, www.airwer.com .

Pros

The program is around 100 dollars is about 98% accurate. I like the heading features the option of changing disc codes, the free lifetime updates, the easiness of using the program. The search feature makes it nice to find discs when the manufactor's code is not easy to understand. Adding discs and codes is an easy feature for the ones that aren't in the software.

Cons

When you update it is necessary to save your book on a disc. Last time I did this couldn't re-open the disc and the entire book had to be remade. If you enlarge the font too much or use a certain font it will spill over into the disc numbers in the book. Once you start printing if there is an error you can't print one page you have to reprint the entire book. They will only sell you a download they do not provide the program on a disc. My computer crashed once and they would not give me the program after owning it only six months. I had to repurchase it.

I've been a KJ PRO user since it was introduced many years ago. Their database is now just as accurate as anyone elses and gets better every few weeks.

I am computer based so I can export my database via my karaoke program, sax n dotty. I export it into MS Access and then remove all the colums with the exception of song title and artist. I don't need disc info.

I use Latshaws Song List Generator for computer based and KJ Pro for the Disc system.

Generator produces the book directly from what is on the hard drive.

I use KJ Pro and love it.


Pros: Easy to use, many built in options for printing, easy to edit.

Cons: None really. One might complain about inaccuracies in the database. However, I've noticed that these seem to me manufacturer grouped ( many in "Top Tunes" for instance). This leads me to believe the problem is with mfr. databases, not KJ Pro...

I've used Music Book Deluxe for years (first for a host I worked for, now in my own business).

Pros:
I really like the flexibility and look of the reports. The program uses Crystal Reports to generate the look of the pages, and you can edit everything from the font type & size to the margins, page dividers and number of columns per page.
The database is updated every two weeks and I haven't seen the company miss a deadline in the time I've used the program. It's pretty accurate, too.
There's a feature built in that you can submit missing or mis-listed disks directly to the company
You can generate and save multiple books
They have a program called Karaoke File Renamer that works with the main MBD program that allows you to rename MP3+G files so they match what you have in your book. Very nice for PCKJs
It's easy to change manufacturer codes, has features for CAVS and MP3+G alternate numbering and you can create your own disc listings (great if you buy custom CDG discs like I do!)
Easy import/export options for PDF, HTML, text, or MS Excel and Word - great for posting your songbook online or carrying on a USB key to the printer's to do your books
Cons:
The program is kinda pricey - about $120 from their web site, but you can find it for $99 all over the Internet (about the same as KJPro)
The update service isn't cheap, either - about $70, I think, for 12 months. But I think that's right in line with KJPro's annual subscription
To use ALL the nice-nice features, there's a bit of a learning curve - definitely steeper than Airwer's Karaoke Song List Creator, but (again) about the same as KJPro Version 2.
No option to disable automatic database updates completely. I have it installed on my hosting machine, which doesn't get connected to the Internet that often. Plus, I've seen a couple people mention that they just import or type in their own new discs & don't buy database subscriptions, so this gets annoying.

I know I compare it to KJPro a lot, but it seems like that's become the standard karaoke book making program. I've seen that a lot of people here use it, so it's a point of reference. I haven't looked really long & close at the new version, but version 1.x seemed to have a lot of similar features to MBD. I guess I've just stayed with what I learned.

I looked really close at Airwer's KSLC (lifetime upgrades & database updates for free - ROCK!), but I prefer to have my songs by artist listed Lastname, Firstname and I didn't see a feature to do that. I also didn't see any options to print multi-column pages. But their interface looks like the easiest by far.

I haven't looked at the bookmaking features of Tyrannosoft's Mimic Audition 2 or MTU's Video Hoster programs, so I don't know much about them. I do know they have the ability to generate books for printing, though.

Oh, well. Rambled enough, I think....

I have KJ Pro and started using it, haven't figured everything out yet, but it is easy for a guy like me..

but the one thing I have found, and there might be away around it, I just don't know about it yet.... when I want to change the disc number, for instance on the Chartbuster stuff,,,, they come out as CBE then the disc number,,, I wanbt to loose the CBE and I can do that only one song at a time.

It would be neat if there was a way to change the disc title so it would change all the songs in your book.... know what I mean?

I have KJ Pro and started using it, haven't figured everything out yet, but it is easy for a guy like me..

but the one thing I have found, and there might be away around it, I just don't know about it yet.... when I want to change the disc number, for instance on the Chartbuster stuff,,,, they come out as CBE then the disc number,,, I wanbt to loose the CBE and I can do that only one song at a time.

It would be neat if there was a way to change the disc title so it would change all the songs in your book.... know what I mean?

Which version of KJ pro do you have.... you can change each disc... you don't have to change each song one at a time.... i'm not in front of my home computer so I can't really describe how its done but there is a button in the songbook editing screens that allows you to re-number your discs... one question why would you want to remove the CBE... i can understand shortining it to say CB.... singers, at least in my area like to know what version they are singing... it's nice to know especially since manu's versions can very greatly sometimes in tempo, key, and even the arrangements can be quite different.

Rob, I can understand that and it makes sence... it's just I find the fewer numbers the easier it is on me! LOL And I just got back from a 1 hour Karaoke contest at the Fair and even there I didn't have anyone ask to change a key...

I've had Karaoke for years and never have I been asked...

I just play for different crowds I guess... But KJ Pro 2.0 is the one that I have I just bought it, so it's the newest one... :)

I use Song List Generator....Airwer....

The one thing I like is the ability to change from Mfg. codes to my own codes.

The thing I had to work around was the printing. I export the data to Excel as "comma delimited files", and then into excel spreadsheets. This way I have a saved copy of the sheets if I have to make them again.

Rob, I can understand that and it makes sence... it's just I find the fewer numbers the easier it is on me! LOL And I just got back from a 1 hour Karaoke contest at the Fair and even there I didn't have anyone ask to change a key...

I've had Karaoke for years and never have I been asked...

I just play for different crowds I guess... But KJ Pro 2.0 is the one that I have I just bought it, so it's the newest one... :)


That's cool...

If you have already added the discs to your main song book in KJ Pro just open the Edit Main Song Book and their is a button for "Change Disc Numbers" click on that and a new window will open listing your discs by number as they appear now... with a text box next to each disc... simply type the new number in that box and save it.... that's it all the discs that you put a new number in for will be changed along with every track. I don't know how many discs your wanting to change but you certainly don't have to go track by track to do it.....

I didn't have anyone ask to change a key...

I've had Karaoke for years and never have I been asked...




Just to be a PITA, since my first show, I have ALWAYS had at least 1 or 2 key change requests. Different sides of the coin, I guess....or your singers are consistantly wider-ranged than mine......:sqwink:

Just to be a PITA, since my first show, I have ALWAYS had at least 1 or 2 key change requests. Different sides of the coin, I guess....or your singers are consistantly wider-ranged than mine......:sqwink:


Joe your such a PITA don't you know our singers have the range of a Mariah Carey... 5 octaves up and down... sheesh...:sqwink:

Joe your such a PITA don't you know our singers have the range of a Mariah Carey... 5 octaves up and down... sheesh...:sqwink:


Oh, mine have that range too, they just don't seem to match up with whatever song they're singing....:sqerr:

I've been typing my own karaoke book into Access for years. I'll venture to say that, what I do have (about 27,000 total, 17,000 no dupes), is more accurate than most of the other programs out there. I take the time to standardize titles and artists, weed out dupes, and list (what I consider) only the best version in the book.

It's amazing how many misnomers there are on the discs themselves.

I use Billboard books for my references.

My latest project involves writing a query to group all listings by title, then artist. This helps standardize titles and artusts. I've found several more duplicates that have been deleted.

I have about 40 titles that need to be corrected due to simple spelling mistakes or incorrect listings.

I try to catch them, and believe me, it's a work in progress.

I've been typing my own karaoke book into Access for years. I'll venture to say that, what I do have (about 27,000 total, 17,000 no dupes), is more accurate than most of the other programs out there. I take the time to standardize titles and artists, weed out dupes, and.....

I have about 40 titles that need to be corrected due to simple spelling mistakes or incorrect listings.

I try to catch them, and believe me, it's a work in progress.


Yo, Southern Bro!

Actually this sounds the same as using KJ Pro, but in Pro you don't have to enter by song. I enter by disc into a custom book titled "Edit". by disc, make any corrections, then enter into my main song book,=. It's a pretty quick process...

I'm with Joe... while KJ Pro may have some accuracy issues... if your use to typeing out all of your music one by one.... then editing a few here and there in a program such as this would to me be a god send... I mean think about it if you are typing each song, each artist, each song ID.. etc... you can save that time and simply concentrate on error correction.

Since you already have the bulk in Access it should be an easy converstion into KJ Pro by importing it... I usually create excel spreadsheets of my music which is generated by the software I use to KJ from... and since it's based on the file names... well it's as accurate as I am.... I then simply import it into KJ Pro... sort, correct, print, done.

That's what I was going to suggest. I use Music Book Deluxe for my books, and do just that (import from Excel), but to type out ALL your songs... You have more patience (and maybe time) than I do. :)

Well, they're already all typed in. When I add, I only have to type in maybe 100 or so entries at a time. Takes all of maybe 1/2 hour to an hour. Again, I control the end result. Maybe one day I'll try KJpro...

I use Dr Tag +
Use the print list feature and use the filter feature to bring up only "Karaoke" in the "Genre" feild.

I use Dr Tag +
Use the print list feature and use the filter feature to bring up only "Karaoke" in the "Genre" feild.

That only works if
1. You don't zip your mp3 and CDG files together once this is done ID Tags are not presently readable.

2. You don't forget to put the Genre info on the file.... as karaoke. Very, Very easy to forget.

A simplest method is to store your karaoke in its own directory and then uses something that reads file names.... like Latshaws or if you are using a good karaoke player such as AutOKdj these type of softwares provide file name reading programs that do just what you need... nothing fancy mind you. If you want fancy double column books and are profiecient with Excel or if you are an owner of a book making software that can import from Excel you have loads of options.

i use latshaws.....love it...very easy and lots of options.

Hi I purchased KJ Pro several years ago. My computer recently crashed and lost my karaoke book pages I had made and now need my book updated currently and this program is supposed to be free updated as needed. I've contacted them and still have not heard anything is there a phone number where I can reach them? I'm not familiar with calling out of the country. Please help.

I use to do all my books by hand but found this program several years back and its worked great for me. Is there a free program out yet where we can download a book that will work to get me by til airwer contacts me or I'm able to reach them.

Thanks for your time,
Lynn:sqfrown:

1-888-446-9791

KJ Pro

Hi I purchased KJ Pro several years ago. My computer recently crashed and lost my karaoke book pages I had made and now need my book updated currently and this program is supposed to be free updated as needed. I've contacted them and still have not heard anything is there a phone number where I can reach them? I'm not familiar with calling out of the country. Please help.

I use to do all my books by hand but found this program several years back and its worked great for me. Is there a free program out yet where we can download a book that will work to get me by til airwer contacts me or I'm able to reach them.

Thanks for your time,
Lynn:sqfrown:

Ok I'm confused... are you trying to update KJ Pro or Airwer?

Airwer I believe is free as you mentioned.... but KJ Pro charges a fee for data base updates....

If you have your music stored on a hard drive then a program such as Latshaws would help since it's not based on a data base but on your file system.

If I were to assume that you backed up your KJ Pro files ( cd\, then CD\Program Files\Damar Systems\KJ Pro ), then all you have to do is reload KJ Pro, then overwrite with the backup?

My computer recently crashed and lost my airwer program and I bought this several years back and use this each year to update my book. This worked great but now I'm having trouble reaching airwer. I'm getting no response. I paid for the full version that has free updates and when I downloaded airwer it did not detect my computer.

I use to have KJ Pro too but that was only the demo. I made a error earlier saying I had KJ Pro. I owned airwer which worked awesome for me.

Sorry for the confusion but most of you knew what I meant but anyway.

I appreciate everyone whom has responded.

Thanks,
Lynn

When I originally purchased airwer I had it for 6 months, my computer crashed also. Contacted them asking for another download and they told me I had to re-purchase the program.

Hope it helps.

When I originally purchased airwer I had it for 6 months, my computer crashed also. Contacted them asking for another download and they told me I had to re-purchase the program.

Hope it helps.

Ewwww that'd be bad news....

KJ Pro only requires you to pay a subscription fee when you want to update your software or download a database update... I don't use mine in that fashion much anymore... I just create a spreadsheet of new music and import it into KJ Pro... and since my karaoke software makes the excel spreadsheet for me all I have to do is modify it so that KJ Pro reads it properly....

That's why I haven't updated my copy of KJ Pro in more than 6 months
and I only updated back then cause I wanted the latest version of the program and because I was assisting another KJ with his book delima.... Like Lynn here...

Lynn do you want an excel version of what I sent ya?

I don't have excel. So this wouldn't help but I thank you for your kind gesture.

I'm trying to keep my computer basic, where as I had lost over 8 years of work. I may go back to making up my own new program as I did when I first started about 8 years ago. I used spread sheets and add the new cds as I get them. It is a lot of work this way compared to the program airwer I had. I can't see paying a company another fee when I purchased it from them. They need to honor a paying customer, its bad enough when anyone loses their own personal information. I feel that is dishonest if they make someone pay another fee as Carolyn had. That's not right.


I appreciate your help.
Lynn

I wasn't too thrilled about it either. I emailed them wasn't very nice about it, tried KJ Pro for a while. I just didn't like KJ Pro, personal choice.

Anyway, after about 6 months I gave in and re-purchased the airwer.

I use Fasttracks v2 Karaoke songbook creator. It is very flexible, you can update it for free whenever you want to (they update their main database often), has several print options, and (when my computer crashed) I just needed my registration code to reinstall the program.

I also use Fast Tracks Pro v2

Pros:
Wicked easy to use, any moron with half a brain could figure it out.
You can purchase a lifetime subscription for database updates and all future upgrades for V2
Reports are informative and very customizable in some cases
Can automatically post your list in html format to place on a website.
Seemless interaction with their hosting software.. If they ever program the same capabilities as Swift Elite, I'd switch in a heartbeat.

Cons:
somewhat limited in the editing type features.
eg if you want to delete a large volume of entries from your database you either have to do it line bye line or disc by disc
Kind of pricy for a single piece of software

All these songbook companies are really starting to tick me off. Reading the other posts here, it sounds like they all have the same ****ty attitude as the other.

Their software isn't even all that complicated. They all rip off each others databases. Their programs are loosely strung together pieces of **** made from access databases and VB. They're rude, obnoxious and abusive to customers.

Bob Latshaw admires my testicles to this day...

Unfortunately all of our programming resources are off working on various parts of the autokdj system right now, though I do think "Songbook Generator" is gonna be moved to the top of the list.

I have every pocket songs CDG coming to my house in the next few weeks. I'll take that as an opportunity to start working on a DB.

I recently purchased a large Latin music collection of over 400 CDs and also over 100 Karaoke disks and I was looking for a way to make a list once I ripped all of them to my computer. Our brother here at ODJT, Hank, recommended a program called Tagscanner when I inquired about getting something that would scan my music folders and generate a list that I could import into excel.

It's not very difficult or complicated to learn or use and it can give you a list of all your MP3 files or the files in your Karaoke folders. Then all you have to do is clean it up a bit, eliminate any columns you don't want and then you can generate a song list pretty easily. Once you have it in excel or Open Office(same thing but free) you can change the font, the text size, bold, or whatever creative formatting you want to do.

When I ripped my disks, freedb supplied the disk and track information to the ripping program(audiograbber) so the whole process is pretty simple with tagscanner. I labeled each folder as the disk number so all the tracks of each disk are together in that folder. All the folders with the ripped disks are in one folder so tagscanner scans the main folder and all the subfolders at the same time. What you get is a list that includes a column with the folder number like SGB1008, SGB1009 etc. That column can be used in your printed list or eliminated. The list can be formatted any way you want.

Tagscanner is free and a good program. It's worth a try IMO. If you aren't very good with excel then you may not want to try this though. Tagscanner takes a few minutes to figure out, you need to sit down and fool with it a bit, but it's pretty straightforward.

OZ you bring up a nice point about the freedb BUT...

The karaoke genre in the freedb has tons of errors. I know, I just ripped 40 pocket songs CDG's this week. Here's a list of glaring errors I saw...

ALL CAPS
lastname, firstname (I think we should standard on listing by pronunciation, IE list it as you'd say it)
on 8+8 discs, the first 8 would be listed without vocals, and the last with (it should be the reverse)
Mispelling

Lots of other bad bad things.

I made a post a while back wondering if some of these songbook companies were poisoning the freedb. Just a conspiracy theory, not pointing the fingers quite yet.

Maybe we should petition the FreeDB to let us here from ODJT fix the karaoke genre.

One thing I forgot to mention for fasttracks is that if you are a computer KJ, all you do is point it to your karaoke file, and in about 30 seconds you have your entire collection in a book that you can print either by title or artist, with or without the duplicates removed.

If you want, you can then take that book and generate a web based version that is indexed by title and artist, and post it to a website so people can see the music you own. It takes about another 30 seconds to generate the html code.

I've found the web support to be first rate. When my computer that had it crashed, they took the time to look up my purchase, generate a new key for me *its all computer based* and make sure that my lifetime database subscription was renewed..

i've also had several feature suggestions, *altho several people made the same ones* put into past releases.. :)

But if Toq and the other team members to a songbook, i'm sure it will beat all the others into the dust..

later all,
-James

All these songbook companies are really starting to tick me off. Reading the other posts here, it sounds like they all have the same ****ty attitude as the other.

Their software isn't even all that complicated. They all rip off each others databases. Their programs are loosely strung together pieces of **** made from access databases and VB. They're rude, obnoxious and abusive to customers.

Bob Latshaw admires my testicles to this day...

Unfortunately all of our programming resources are off working on various parts of the autokdj system right now, though I do think "Songbook Generator" is gonna be moved to the top of the list.

I have every pocket songs CDG coming to my house in the next few weeks. I'll take that as an opportunity to start working on a DB.

I throughly agree! KJ Pro ripped off KJ Spigot (no longer available) and took their database. Others use the same re-hashed data.

The only real difference between most book printing software is the interface. Most of them are crappy and use 1980s technology.

Now if they have a way of automating changes from users like on a voting system, that would be useful. You rename your tracks, then allow it to post to the server, then when you get the next update, your changes are reflected. Or, at the very least, retain your changes locally, so when you update it does not revert to the bad version.

i use latshaws.....love it...very easy and lots of options.

I couldn't agree more. I kinda feel sorry for those folks who actually believe you need to maintain a separate database to keep a song book.

:sqwink: