Ted, Files with .mid and .kar are midi files. That is ..they are sequences that allow editing and transposing easily..

CDG are graphic MP3's, usually organized as a zip file. You can not edit them, and if you change keys , you will hear artifacts.

Originally Posted By Fran Carango
Just a perspective...I have over 100,000 CDG (karaoke) files in my library, and a karaoke service with more than 30,000 files.


Holy Moly
Are there any songs you DON'T have?

edit mp3+g zip files with karoake builder 2, Speed, key, merge, songs, clip and other features. Love it.
no problems.
MEL

For me, I'll just stick with using style files, of which I have about 50,000. A few years ago, when I was still gainfully employed, I can clearly recall many of my audience members sneaking a peak at me playing those keys, just to be sure I was actually playing. And, I remember one lady who came up to me while I was performing a song, and asking dumb questions. I got frustrated and stopped in the middle of the song, and explained to her that I cannot talk to her and sing the song at the same time. She looked down at her husband and said "Fred, you were right - it is really him singing and playing." Two seconds later, and one button push, I was back into the song and when I finished, I got a standing ovation. That song was Autumn Wind.

Fran, I know you relied on midi files a lot, and as DNJ always says, you have to mix it up. Well, I guess it's whatever floats your boat, but only as long as you are able to keep the audiences entertained with what they want to hear. My method of mixing it up was to constantly learn as many new songs as possible, them find a suitable style file and matching right hand instruments on the keyboard that would allow me to perform the song as close to the original as possible, while still allowing me to be creative.

All the best,

Gary

Or you could play it yourself instead of playing along to something fixed. (Nothing like having your own unique style)

Bill

When I was playing gigs, I used midi files and original recordings for songs I could not do justice to. As a home player I love the joy of playing, with and without styles.

The one thing I did not like about backing, was that it always played the song the same way, limiting and boring. To mechanical.
John C.

If I'm honest - when I played, or sang with bands - the rhythm (backing) parts almost NEVER varied. We rehearsed so that there was a consistency. What I played over top of that arrangement is essentially the same as how I approach playing over a track. I use full, 2 handed chords and greatly color the general arrangement ... just like I did in the band. No one ever said we sounded limited, or boring.

What "IS" a bit different about using sequences, and tracks is that you need to make then sound as lifelike as possible ... and that generally related to moving more air. At lower volumes, through smaller speakers, sequences loose a lot of their sizzle. I played Bari Sax in a 10 piece band that featured a 4 pc horn section, drums, perc, keys, gtr, and 2 front singers, as well as many harmony singers .... and EVERY (dance) song was sequenced. Experienced players can play in time with the track, just like a click in a studio - good monitors are essential, and listening for blend is vital. My approach is ONE SIDED - the audience has to enjoy it. If they like it, then I feed off that, and we're all happy. So, when playing to a packed dance floor - use the tools ya got. Give 'em the big guns - sometimes it's tracks, sometimes a simple piano/bass/drum version, and sometimes the crowd will accept a strong style arrangement ... the most important thing for me is to personalize what I ADD. Vocals rule, and the chording I use triggers the harmonizer, so that's #2. Everything else is just supporting me. In many cases, a powerful track, with a strong vocal can grab an audience quicker than a style based arrangement ..... not it ALL cases. Believe me - I use the styles. I LOVE the styles - that's whey I own arrangers, but when you play to a dance floor - you have to be ready to pull out all the stops.

Exactly Dave in other words .."MIX IT UP"

Ummm, not exactly. Sometimes I'm all tracks, sometimes no tracks. The crowd dictates the approach. saying Mix it up would be analogous to changing pitchers every inning in a baseball game, even if one was on a hot streak. You're not wrong .... but a better term would be Mix it up ... when appropriate. You have to use what works.

I have no idea what your talking about....
playing the same thing show after show is plain boring to me ...
so however you mix it up and make the audience happy
and you get paid is the way to go.
Don't be a one trick pony I say....carry on.