Karaoke Music FAQ : eBay Guides

Karaoke Music Formats

Karaoke is a popular form of entertainment that lets you be the singing star that you've always wanted to be! With Karaoke, the music of your favorite recording artists accompanies you while you sing the lyrics. Don't know the words? No problem! With a Karaoke player, the words to your favorite songs will scroll across the screen of any regular TV. Imagine the fun that you and your friends will have singing along to your favorite songs!

Karaoke originated in Japan. The word Karaoke comes from "kara" which is an abbreviation of "karappo" and means empty, and "oke" which is an abbreviation of "okesutura," or orchestra. The word Karaoke is used to describe a music disc that has music but no vocals, instead the words to the song are shown on a television screen, allowing you to sing along to the music. Once popular only in Japan, Karaoke is now popular throughout the US at clubs, parties, weddings and anywhere where people love to sing!

This guide will help you understand some of the common terms you will find regarding formats of discs

What is CDG?

CDG (or CD+G) stands for compact disc plus graphics. A CDG Karaoke disc contains an additional track, which displays the song lyrics on a TV when played on a Karaoke player. The words to the song are typically displayed on a blue background and are highlighted in a contrasting color to signal when the words should be sung. The CDG format is the Karaoke standard for most of the world's Karaoke.

CDG Karaoke disks require a special Karaoke player called a Karaoke CDG Player. A Karaoke CDG player is similar to a regular CD player, except that it has an additional chip for reading the graphics track of a CDG. In addition, a CDG Karaoke Player also has a place to plug in a microphone, a key controller to adjust for the singer's key, and an echo control to enhance the singer's voice.

It is easy to set up a CDG Karaoke player. Take the player out of the box, plug the yellow cord from your CDG Karaoke player into the back of your TV to display the song lyrics and you are ready to sing. Please note there are no videos or movie clips on a CDG disc.

What is VCD?

VCD stand for Video CD. Video CD Karaoke discs provide not only the lyrics in time with the music, but also a video background display that complements the song.

This format is less expensive (about half the price) of CDG disks.

To play Video CD disks you need either a CDG Karaoke player with Video CD capabilities or a DVD player since all DVD players can play Video CD format. Many CDG Karaoke players have a combination Video CD and CDG function and operate the same way as a regular CDG Karaoke player.


What are DVD Karaoke Disks?

DVD Karaoke disks are generally replications of the Video CD Karaoke disks. The video background on a DVD Karaoke Disk is much higher quality than a Video CD disk, however, currently there is no additional music, improved sound quality, or special DVD features. DVD Karaoke disks tend to be higher priced and there is less selection of songs.

A normal DVD player will play both the DVD and Video CD Karaoke disks. However, a Karaoke DVD Player has additional features such as microphone inputs, key changer, and echo control.


Will CDG play on my CD player, computer or DVD player?

Yes, a CDG Karaoke disk will play in any standard CD Player, computer or DVD player. However, the song lyrics will not be displayed since only a CDG player can read the graphics track.



Will VCD play on my CD player or computer?

A VCD, with appropriate software, will play on your computer, but it will not play on a CD player.



Will Karaoke DVD play on my DVD player or computer?

Yes, however, a Karaoke DVD Player has additional features such as microphone inputs, key changer, and echo control.


What is "multiplex"?

All Karaoke discs (CDG, VCD and Karaoke DVD) are made in either a multiplex or non-multiplex format.

Multiplex discs, have vocal demos for each song so that you can choose to listen to the song with or without the vocals. Non-multiplex discs provide only one version of the song, without the vocals.


How can I remove the vocals from a multiplex disc?

The vocal demos can be removed by locating the "vocal remove" or "multiplex function" on your Karaoke player. By turning this button on or off you can add or remove the demo singer.


What does " vocal demo" mean?

This is a multiplex disc with a demo singer.


Are these original recordings?

No, Karaoke tracks are recreations of the original song. All songs have been re-recorded with the goal of sounding as similar to the original as possible. Please note that multiplex discs do not feature the original artist.


How do I know what key the song is recorded in?

Generally, the song is recorded in the same key that the artist recorded it in. Unfortunately, most Karaoke disc manufacturers do not provide key of the song.