Definitions of Karaoke Related Words [A-M]

For all you new karaoke enthusiasts (and even seasoned singers), we've gathered common karaoke related terms and defined them below.

A/V – Stands for Audio/Visual. A/V can refer to audio/video inputs or outputs. Also see Inputs, Outputs.

Ambience (also referred to as Room Tone) – Characteristic acoustics of a room or space in terms of sound reflection or echoing.

All-In-One Karaoke Machine – An all inclusive karaoke system which has built-in a player, speakers, amplifier, and often a monitor. If there is no monitor, the machine will need to plugged into a video source (e.g. TV, video monitor, VCR video input). These systems are highly portable and relatively easy use.

Amplifier (also referred to as amp) – Increases the strength of an audio signal. Amplifiers usually increase current, voltage or both. Some amplifiers contain extra features like sound effects and mixing functions.

Automatic Voice Control (also referred to as Automatic Vocal Cancel, Vocal Cancel, Vocal Replacement, Vocal Partner) – See Vocal Cancel.

Balance Control – Allows you to control the balance of the right and left channel of a stereo system. By turning off one channel, the lead vocals can be muted from a CDGM disc.

CDG (also referred to as Karaoke CD, CD+G, CD+Graphics) – Stands for “Compact Disc and Graphics.” One of the most common types of karaoke discs. CDGs have no lead vocals, but contain music and sometimes background vocals. When played on a regular CD player, only the music portion will be heard.

CDGM (also referred to as Multiplex, CDG Multiplex, CD+Graphics Mulitplex) – Stands for “Compact Disc and Graphics Multiplex.” Similar to CDG discs except they do contain lead vocals. This karaoke format is helpful to practice or learn a song by singing along with the lead singer. The vocals can be muted by using Vocal Cancel or Balance Control. Usually less songs are contained on a CDGM compared to a CDG disc.

Delay – The amount of time between echoes. Also see Echo, Repeat.

Digital Echo – Synthesized sound effect which imitates natural echo.

Digital Key Control (also referred to as Key Control, Key Changer) – Changes the music’s key without changing the tempo. Allows a singer to sing within their vocal range, making a song easier to sing.

DVD – Stands for digital video disc. Karaoke DVDs display song lyrics along with moving background pictures. Many more songs can be stored on a DVD compared to a CDG disc.

Echo – Sound effect that adds a spacious quality to vocals. Gives vocals a professional sound.

Equalizer (also referred to as EQ) – Device using a set of electronic filters to alter sound quality by adjusting (increase, cut) various frequencies (e.g. treble, bass).

Graphic Decoder (also referred to as Decoder) – Device that reads a CDG disc and translates song lyrics and graphics to be displayed. Use this to turn a regular CD or DVD player into a karaoke machine.

Inputs (also referred to as A/V Inputs, Audio/Video Inputs) – Jacks that allow other components to be connect TO a main system.

KAR – MIDI file with lyrics. Also see MIDI.

Karaoke – Means “empty orchestra“ in Japanese. Karaoke first originated in Japan in the early 80s. Karaoke is a form of entertainment where one experiences the joy of singing. One becomes the lead vocals of a song by singing to a karaoke track where the song’s music is played along with the lyrics displayed on a monitor.  Common misspellings: karioke, karoke, kareoke.

Karaoke Equipment – Refers to machines/players, decoders, mixers, monitors, speakers, amplifiers, microphones and karaoke accessories (e.g. disc holders, mic stands).

Karaoke Machine (also referred to as Karaoke Player) – Plays karaoke discs (e.g. CDG, DVD, VCD) as well as standard audio CDs. Player is connected to a video (e.g. television) and sound source (e.g. stereo system, television, separate amplifier and speakers). Lyrics are displayed on a monitor as the music plays. Also see All-In-One Karaoke Machine.

Karaoke Player (also referred to as Karaoke Machine) – See Karaoke Machine.

Karaoke Track (also referred to as Karaoke Song, Karaoke Music) – Song with music only and sometimes background vocals. One sings the lead vocals of the song.

Key Changer (also referred to as Digital Key Control, Key Control) – See Digital Key Control.

Key Control (also referred to as Digital Key Control, Key Changer) – See Digital Key Control.

Microphone (also referred to as Mic) – Wired and wireless types. To ensure quality sound, it is important to buy a good quality microphone.

MIDI – Stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Computer file of programmed musical notes. Can be played on a MIDI player or MIDI supported keyboard or other MIDI instrument.

Midrange – Type of speaker producing mid frequency bass (100-400 Hz). Often used with a tweeter and woofer to complete a full range speaker system.

Mixer – A device connected between the karaoke player and amplifier which combines and adjusts sounds from various audio sources (player, microphone, instruments).

Monitor – Connects to a karaoke player. A TV screen that displays song lyrics and/or graphics.

Monitor Speakers – Speakers directed at the singer to help him/her hear the music and their singing.

MP3 – Computer file of compressed digital music which sounds as good as a standard audio CD. With this format, a CD track can be compressed 10-12 times its size without reducing sound quality.

MP3+G – Consists of two files: compressed audio portion and graphics file containing lyrics. Together its size is much smaller than a standard karaoke CDG track.

Multiplex (also referred to as CDGM, CDG Multiplex, CD+Graphics Mulitplex) – See CDGM.

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