En plus de toute la terminologie associée aux produits électroniques de consommation, quelques termes supplémentaires sont utilisés presque exclusivement dans le karaoké. Ces termes sont destinés à vous familiariser avec le monde du karaoké. Les caractéristiques énumérées ci-dessous peuvent ne pas nécessairement se rapporter à la machine de chant particulière que vous avez. Voici quelques brèves explications des termes karaoké.
Sortie audio: output jack on a system which allows for the audio to be played through another system (as in for running the sound through a house p.a. or speakers)
CDG ou CD + G: this is an acronym for Compact Disc plus Graphics. You will also see variations CD+G and CD+Graphics. This is a regular CD with information stored on a data track simultaneous to music. In laymen’s terms, CDG has a video output for simple graphics (not full motion video). In the case of karaoke, the graphics function is used to store song lyrics, and display the lyrics in synch with the music. In most cases, CDG software displays lyrics, which change color as they are to be sung. A regular television is all that is required to display CDG lyrics.
Contrôleur de clé numérique: raises or lowers the key/pitch of a song to help you sing notes which are too high or too low for your vocal range. (Typically, this is done for the whole song, not just a single passage or note)A pitch controller changes the key by slowing down or speeding up the recording. A Digital key changer changes the key without effecting the speed/tempo of the music.
DVD (disque vidéo numérique): a high-density compact disc format which, for karaoke use, can incorporate a motion picture or moving background and the song lyrics superimposed in front of the video pictures.
ECHO: echo adds depth and resonance to a singer’s voice. This echo is produced by creating minor controlled feedback in the singer’s voice. The echo function does not affect the music.
Sortie casque: microphone jack that allows the music to be heard through headphones.
Entrées: input jacks which allow for connecting other components or systems to the main system.
Karaoké: a Japanese word which loosely translates as “empty orchestra,” describing the concept of providing a singer with background accompaniment music (usually including background/harmony vocals). The karaoke industry provides both software (cassettes, compact disc, compact discs with graphics, DVD disc, etc.) and hardware, the main features of which include echo, microphone mixing functions, etc. described in this glossary.
Mixer Karaoke: the basic component of karaoke hardware, this allows a singer’s voice to be mixed with music. Adds echo and special effects; sometimes includes key changer.
Ligne: allows connection of the karaoke system to other systems (speakers, home studios, etc.)
Moniteur: TV Screen used to display words and/or pictures from CDGs, laser discs, or videos by hooking up to the CD+G/DVD player.
Multiplex: as a term for karaoke, this is a format in which the Lead Vocal is recorded/played back on one channel only and the music is on the other channel. When the multiplex feature on the karaoke machine is activated, this allows for either voice only or music only playing by controlling the left/right balance of a stereo system. For example, if the karaoke singer stops singing into the microphone, the multiplex feature will activate the pre-recorded demonstration vocal to fill in, in place of the live karaoke singer. When the karaoke singer resumes singing, the pre-recorded voice is deactivated.
Microphone omnidirectionnel: sound pick-up pattern is wide and fan-like. Works well to more evenly pick up two or more singers’ voices (can be placed in front of a group for a more even distribution of sounds coming from the sides of the microphone)
Pitch/Speed Control: raises or lowers the song key/pitch to help you sing a note which is too high or too low for your vocal range. A pitch controller changes the key by slowing down or speeding up the recording. A Digital key changer changes the key without effecting the speed/tempo of the music.
Contrôle de balance stéréo: left/right channel balance on a stereo system; allows you to remove the lead vocal example on multiplex recordings by turning off one channel.
Contrôle de tonalité: bass/treble sound control.
Son microphone unidirectionnel pick-up pattern is narrow and ideal for a solo singer (does not tend to pick up sounds to the sides of the microphone, reduces possibility of feedback).
Sortie vidéo: jack on a system which allows for the video to be shown on a TV/monitor.
Vocal Assist
Allows the lead vocal to be heard over headphones, without being heard over the speakers, when used with multiplex recordings
Réducteur vocal/masquage vocal: decreases the volume of the recorded vocals on the compact disc so you can sing songs not yet released on karaoke recordings: amount of reduction varies with original recording .
Replaceur vocal: feature of a karaoke mixer which, when used with multiplex recordings, mutes the recorded vocals while you sing; when you stop, the recorded vocals will pick up where you left off (great for practicing)
