Oltre a tutta la terminologia associata ai prodotti elettronici di consumo, alcuni termini aggiuntivi sono utilizzati quasi esclusivamente in karaoke. Questi termini sono destinati a familiarizzare con il mondo del karaoke. Le caratteristiche elencate di seguito non possono necessariamente appartenere alla particolare macchina di canto che avete. Le seguenti sono alcune brevi spiegazioni di termini di karaoke.
Uscita 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 o 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.
Digital Key controller: 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 (disco video digitale): 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.
Uscita cuffia: microphone jack that allows the music to be heard through headphones.
Ingressi: input jacks which allow for connecting other components or systems to the main system.
Karaoke: 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.
Karaoke Mixer: 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.
Line out: allows connection of the karaoke system to other systems (speakers, home studios, etc.)
Monitor: 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.
Microfono omnidirezionale: 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.
Controllo bilanciamento stereo: left/right channel balance on a stereo system; allows you to remove the lead vocal example on multiplex recordings by turning off one channel.
Controllo tono: bass/treble sound control.
Microfono uni-direzionale Sound 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).
Uscita video out: 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
Riduttore vocale/mascheramento vocale: 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 .
Vocal sostituto: 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)
