How to Do Karaoke at Home

Interested in starting to do karaoke at home?

If the answer is yes, chances are you already know that karaoke is about a lot more than just belting out your favourite songs. It’s an experience that seamlessly blends social connection, fun, and creative performance opportunities.

Thanks to modern advances in technology, bringing karaoke to your home is now more than possible: It’s affordable and – with suppliers like DJ City – easy. To help you get started, here is our simple guide for getting set up for karaoke at home.

Karaoke 101

Karaoke is an interactive entertainment activity that involves singing along to an instrumental backing track of popular songs. Most karaoke setups will have an accompanying screen displaying the lyrics of the songs for you.

The origin of the term comes from two Japanese words: “kara”, meaning empty and “ōke”, which is short for orchestra. In other words, the phrase translates to “empty orchestra”. Beginning in Japan in the early 1970s, karaoke spread to all parts of the world pretty fast. Nowadays, karaoke can be enjoyed in specialised facilities, bars and pubs, at celebratory events, and even at home.

For a breakdown of the history of karaoke, read our blog here.

The Technology Enabling Karaoke at Home

For obvious reasons, karaoke was once limited to dedicated venues that had the advanced technology required to let it happen.

Over the past few decades, significant developments in digital streaming, wireless microphones, portable speakers and karaoke systems, machines and apps have eliminated these barriers to entry.

From the hardware to the access to digital song libraries, a karaoke at-home set-up can be found to suit any space or budget.

What You Need To Get Started: Home Karaoke Setups

So how do you get started with your set-up? We’ve broken down a number of options below. If you need any assistance with your karaoke setup, make sure to reach out to our team today.

1. The Budget Home Setup

If you’re just dipping your toes in karaoke, are working on a shoestring budget, or simply don’t want to invest in expensive equipment, this setup is for you.

What you need:

• Device –  Possibly the most expensive item you will need is a device of some sort. Whether you choose a smartphone, tablet, or laptop is up to you. As long as you have access to YouTube, Spotify or karaoke apps for free song tracks and lyrics, it will be all good.
• Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Fortunately, there is a wide range of highly affordable options for amplifying sound in your home. 
• Wireless Handheld Microphone – Finding the right microphone to bring the energy and mobility to your karaoke performance no longer has to break the bank.

What you should consider:

If you’re looking for a little bit of added convenience and home karaoke performance, consider investing in a more robust system, such as the AVE Vox 2 Wireless Microphone System. This system offers affordable dual-mics and quick plug-and-play functionality. It can be paired with

AVE Portable Bluetooth Speakers offer compact, rechargeable speakers that are easily paired with your device.

2. The Intermediate Home Setup

If you are considering putting together a bit more of a robust karaoke at-home set-up with some improved audio and visual quality, here are some great optional additions to the basic setup.

What you can add:

• Dedicated Karaoke Mixer – DJ City stocks a range of karaoke-specific systems to help give you greater ability to control music and mic levels.
• Larger PA Speaker with Mixer – As mentioned, karaoke is about the experience, and if you are able to invest in a larger speaker for richer, cleaner sound, your karaoke will be all the better for it.
• Tablet Stand or Music Stand – Give your home performers even more flexibility and mobility by investing in a stand for your smart device or screen for easy lyric viewing.

3. The Professional Home Setup

If you are considering a more professional karaoke home setup, chances are you’re a serious singer or true-blue karaoke enthusiast. Welcome to the party! Here are a number of different options to consider for taking your karaoke setup up a level.

What you can consider:

• High-Powered PA Speakers – With the right high-powered speakers, you can ensure superior sound for larger rooms, areas, and outdoor venues.
• Multi-Channel Karaoke Mixer – A multi-channel mixer brings the party thanks to the additional advanced controls and effects.
• Wireless Microphones (UHF) – It is worth upgrading your wireless microphones to the higher quality options to ensure an increasingly reliable signal and professional-level audio quality.
• Karaoke Machine or Smart Media Player – Consider signing up for access to a subscription song library to ensure you can sing along to everyone’s favourite tunes.
• HDTV or Projector – Displaying the visuals in a more vibrant, shared and aesthetic way is an excellent way to really upgrade your karaoke at home experience.
• Stage/Party Lighting – It’s all about the vibe, and with lighting, small stage blocks and other atmospheric factors, you can recreate a true karaoke experience right in the comfort of your home.

 

DJ City Recommendations:

• Vocal-Star VS-1200 Professional Karaoke Player – Robust song library, HDMI output, and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Power Dynamics PDM-S2004 Mixer – Plenty of channels, built-in effects for “studio” vocals.
• Shure BLX288/PG58 Dual Wireless Microphone System – Widely used for its reliability and quality.
• AVE Stage Par Lights – Add a club vibe with sound-activated room lighting.

 

Set up tip: Connect your karaoke player/media device to the mixer and route audio to your PA system. Display lyrics on your large screen, set up lights, and create a true karaoke lounge at home.

Karaoke at Home Starts at DJ City

What better way could there be to spend a night with family or friends, or spruce up your next party, than to do a bit of karaoke at home?

In today’s world, the ability to create a great karaoke setup in your living room or rumpus room is easy, affordable and fun! And with DJ City, there’s no need to search any further. We have got everything you need – from plug-and-play microphones and portable speaker setups to full-featured karaoke systems loaded with Bluetooth, built-in speakers, and LED lights…

Ready to start putting together your fantasy karaoke system? Explore our extensive range online today or give the DJ City team a call and let us help you find the ideal setup for your karaoke at home needs.