Linking Your Computer to
Your Stereo and TV

I've found a relatively inexpensive device for hooking my computer up to my TV, i.e., my home theater system. It's called TVator. It's made made by a company called Antec Inc. I got mine at CompUSA for $130.00. There was a more expensive model of the same brand that also includes a remote control for around $300.00.

 The TVator is tiny, only a half pound and 1.2"(H)x4.5"(W)x6"(L). I just hook my monitor to it and another cable goes to the back of my PC to connect to the video card. Then, I run the RCA video-out cable from the TVator to my VCR (I have front connections). Next, I run another RCA cable from my SoundBlaster AWE32 to my VCR's audio-in ports. Now, I have Karaoke pumping through my home theater. The color is superb and even some small text is legible (I can even run it in DOS to play QUAKE. It kicks butt).

 This is great for having a group of friends over for Karaoke fun. You can even record the voice and display on VHS for later playback. Edit this into your home video for keepsake of fond times with friends. Enjoy.

Adding Digital Reverb to
Your Computer's Sound System

When you have a great MIDI file that's full of ambiance and you mix in a voice through a mic on your computer, there's just something missing. Even a good voice can sound bland and unnatural without the natural occurring echo you would get in a club. Also, many or most tunes are recorded with digital reverb added during mixing. You just can't capture the spirit of the original song without the added reverb. Luckily, digital reverb units are relatively inexpensive. I had one laying around that I had purchased for $99.00 from my days of traveling from state to state with a singing group I led for a local college. 

Of course, you will only run your microphone through the digital reverb box. I have mine configured to have the mic plug into the digital reverb input and then I take the output into the back of my sound card. This seems to work well. It also provides an additional volume control for the microphone (on the digital reverb unit). My software controls are often inadequate and difficult to maneuver to during a song.

 There are several vendors of Karaoke-related hardware on the Internet. Check out The Internet Karaoke Store. They are selling the BMB Karaoke NINJA KN-X1 Portable Digital Echo Processor for only $109.95. It includes several cool features like Digital Key Control (+/-5/4, 11 steps) and a 3 Band Graphic Equalizer. It looks like a really fun tool. (This is current as of 7-29-96)

Wireless keyboard

I purchased a Key Tronic wireless keyboard with hopes of using it during karaoke. It hasn't really worked out that way. There are three main short comings of the wireless keyboard: First, the batteries have to be replaced about every 3 to 4 weeks (unless you turn it off after each use, which is a hassle). Second, the keyboard I have must always be pointed directly at the receiver. This often made the keyboard more of a inconvenience than a help. Third, though the keyboard came with a tracker ball built into it, you must manually swap the mouse cable every time you want to go modile.

  Prepared by Kenny Bellew, (c) 1996
Updated 8-89