Organizing karaoke at home: equipment and tips

The essential equipment

Microphones: the crux of the matter

This is the most important element. Provide at least two wireless microphones to allow duets, which are always more fun for two. Dynamic microphones are perfectly suited to karaoke: they pick up the voice well without too much ambient noise and are forgiving of rough singers. Consider new batteries and a spare set: a microphone that goes out in the middle of the chorus ruins the atmosphere.

The speakers

Two active speakers are more than enough for a living room or terrace. Place them in front of the singers, facing the audience, to avoid feedback, the shrill hiss that occurs when the microphone picks up the sound from the speakers. In Lyon, we rent out a pair of RCF ART 912-A active speakers, with their two stands: see PA system rental in Lyon.

The mixer or controller

To adjust the volume of the microphones independently of the music, a small mixer is ideal. If you want to combine DJ and karaoke, the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 rental from Fox Rider does both: you mix the music and connect the microphones to its two microphone inputs. Without a console, the Shure SM58 microphones can also be rented as an option with an RCF ART 912-A speaker.

The screen

A connected TV or video projector can display the lyrics. Most karaoke apps work directly through a streaming stick or a simple HDMI connection from a laptop.

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Installation in 5 steps

1. Clear the space: push the furniture to create a “stage” facing the audience. A carpet on the floor nicely demarcates the singer's area.
2. Install the screen at eye level, visible to both the singer and the audience.
3. Position the speakers on each side of the screen, facing the audience and not the microphones.
4. Connect the mixer: the music source on one input, the microphones on the others.
5. Test with a song to check the balance between vocals and instrumental music.

The Best Karaoke Sources

• Specialized applications: huge catalogs, careful audio quality and perfectly synchronized lyrics. The most comfortable choice for serious karaoke.
• Free video platforms: by searching for the title followed by “karaoke”, we find instrumental versions with lyrics. The quality varies, but the catalog is almost unlimited.
• Community apps: Handy for casual nights out and duo modes.

The playlist that always hits the mark

Start with unifying classics to break the ice, then increase the intensity as the evening goes on:

• The great standards of French song, which everyone sings in chorus.
• International pop-rock anthems that are easy to sing together.
• Disco and dance hits that immediately set the mood.
• A few ballads to give more calm voices a chance.

The idea: alternate well-known pieces with more ambitious titles to maintain the energy without exhausting the audience.

Tips for a memorable evening

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• Film the performances: with a GoPro rental, immortalize the best moments. Its wide angle captures the singer and the reactions of the audience.
• Organize the passages: a simple drawing system avoids hesitation and friendly arguments.
• Add accessories: wigs, glasses, boas. The disguise frees the most timid.
• Launch a mini-competition with votes from the public: the good-natured competition energizes the evening.
• Dose the volume: music slightly above the vocals reassures hesitant singers.

Rent the console from Fox Rider

For a successful karaoke evening, rent a Pioneer XDJ-RX3 controller from our DJ equipment at Fox Rider. Collection and return in Lyon 3, equipment checked and ready to connect, a security deposit paid on site at handover and returned when the gear comes back: all you have to do is choose the first song.