I have received quite a few inquiries about the
ability to download MP3+G files from the internet. After doing some
investigating I have found that you can indeed locate and download virtually
every karaoke song ever produced. These song files are shared between users of
certain newsgroups and IRC channels. The "pairs" of files it takes to make an
MP3+G song are usually zipped together to allow a single file download for each
song.
Desi's Karaoke website sells a guide, with step by step
instructions and required software, that makes downloading free MP3+G files
easy.
Information on Karoke CDGs
The karaoke CDG, (Compact Disc plus Graphics), is
similar to a standard audio CD. The difference is in the graphic data (lyrics
and images) that is embedded in the unused sub-channel of the disc. The audio
portion of a CDG can be played with a standard CD player. A karaoke player is
required to display the graphics on a monitor.
None of the commercial karaoke discs contain
background music performed by the original artist. This is one reason why the
quality of the music varies so greatly between name brands. Price does not
always indicate the quality of a CDG. Sound Choice discs, for example, are
usually the the most expensive brand. Although they are a high quality disc,
they are not superior to some of the less expensive bands such as Chartbusters
and Top Hits Monthly. I base this on my own opinion as well as the vast amount
of feedback I have received from some Karaoke Jockey's.
It's very important to keep your CDG's in good
condition. They are more sensitive than your regular audio CD. Fine scratches or
even a fingerprint can cause them to skip or cause the graphics to become
scrambled. You will not be able to avoid the damage that occurs from normal use.
You can however minimize it by avoiding the use of a storage system that
utilizes sleeves to hold the discs. Inspect your disc regularly for fingerprints
and smudges. Window cleaner and a very soft cloth can be used to clean them.
Never use any type of mineral spirit based
cleaner.
Not all scratches on the bottom side of a disc
cause problems. Some very noticeable scratches will have no negative effect
while a very fine scratch may render the disc unusable. I'm stating this to make
the point that you can't always tell the condition of the disc just by looking
at it. If a CDG is clean, but it still skips or scrambles the graphics, you will
need to polish the bottom (not the label side) surface. There are numerous CD
polishing compounds available. Some work very well while others seem to do
nothing at all. Never wax your discs with car wax or anything like this. Back
in my younger days, I tried this and ruined every single one of my discs like
this.