Karaoke is a great way to get your guests engaged and involved, whether they are amateur crooners hamming it up for the audience, or wall-flies singing along from the sidelines. And it can work for many types of events! I’ve seen employees cheer as a manager reveals an unseen side of herself, students rally around a shy kid who knocks a song out of the park, and family reunions with generations arm-in-arm belting out a Motown tune. How about karaoke breaking ice between families at a wedding rehearsal dinner?
That being said, there are MANY elements that can make or ruin your karaoke evening, and most of them start with the DJ you hire. So here is a list to help you ask the right questions so you get a pro karaoke setup, and not just a DJ with karaoke as an afterthought.
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DJ Experience
A real KJ (karaoke jockey) can read a crowd and kick things off with a song that brings the energy up and opens the way for other singers. Just as important, he should know when NOT to sing! Once you have a few singers on the list, your DJ host should refrain from singing unless requested. Keeping a good balance between karaoke singers and dance music is a delicate balance that a seasoned KJ can manage like a pro!
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Song Selection
If your DJ doesn’t run karaoke shows often, he probably doesn’t have a good selection of music. You need the newest jams as much as the classics. And a few rare songs can really make an impression with certain guests. A library of 10,000 songs should be the minimum, and physical books that your guests can browse is always a plus.
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Equipment
This is the most neglected part of your average karaoke setup. First and foremost, a DJ needs to know the room. The speakers should be close enough to the singers for them to hear and feel the music, but far enough away to avoid that dreaded “feedback” squeal. Two microphones on stands is a must, as well as two TV’s (one for the audience to sing along, and one on a stand for the performers). Lastly, the secret ingredient… a vocal compressor! This will help control the volume of the singers. When they are quiet, it will bring the volume up, and when loud, it will bring the volume down. This keeps a smooth sound throughout the event, which is SO important for karaoke.
Afternoon karaoke at Nordson Corporation in Johns Creek/Duluth
And In Closing…
Hopefully these details will aid you in making an informed decision on hiring your next karaoke DJ. But remember, you and your guests are the most important part of the equation! Themed costume parties and Halloween events will always get people out of their shells. And a little “liquid courage” never hurt, either! Setting the right environment is imperative, so be creative and have fun!
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Jesse Busch ran a weekly karaoke show for twelve years and was named Creative Loafing’s “Best Karaoke in Atlanta” in 2012, 2014, and 2015 (mainly because his regulars were awesome!).
