Karaoke -- Engadget

karaoke posts

Mute Mic is the perfect addition to your next antisocial karaoke event

by Joseph L. Flatley posted May 1st 2009 at 4:11PM

You know how your voice always sounds better in your own head than it does on tape? Apparently, someone in Japan agrees with you. To that end, they've put together a little microphone with a silencer -- so the next time you come home at 3 am, all hopped up on Sake and intent on generating a sorrowful wail alongside the backing track of what was once a hit for the Carpenters, make sure you're packing the Mute Mic. This bad boy is designed to muzzle your song-hole, ensuring that whatever sound you do generate remains restricted to you and your Wii. Your neighbors will thank you, and the estate of Karen Carpenter will thank you. Already a karaoke star? Show us your skills after the break.

Continue reading Mute Mic is the perfect addition to your next antisocial karaoke event

The Karaoke Kit: everything you need to be a singer, save for courage

by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2009 at 7:21AM

Eager to add a little spice to your weekly "family night?" No, we're not talking about forcing your kids to hack your DS into a MIDI controller while you and the spouse race to see who can eat the most frankfurters in ten minutes, we're talking about karaoke. The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE has just branched out by introducing its first hardware kit, which includes a pair of microphones, a vocal mixer and a volume controller. Oh, and this is somehow the first and only karaoke system "designed explicitly for use online," which likely means it's too lousy to be used in public. Anywho -- the singing system can be procured right now for $99.95 with a one year's subscription to The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE's library of more than 5,000 songs, or if you've got all the latest hits logged in your brain, you can snag the standalone kit for $39.95.

Memorex SingStand iPod karaoke mic critiqued and in the wild

by Darren Murph posted Nov 30th 2008 at 12:16PM

Sadly (very, very sadly, in fact), this isn't the first device we've seen that poorly attempts to mix your iPod into a karaoke-type device, which probably means you'll be glancing right over it. Memorex's recently released SingStand MKS-SS1 Microphone and Speaker System was apprehended and photographed by the iPod fanatics at iLounge, and while the powered speaker base, auxiliary input for an additional microphone / instrument and the audio controls were swell, the lackluster iPod integration sort of left the critic wondering why Cupertino's darling was even associated. And seriously, are you really considering spending $70 on this with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 widely available and able to satisfy your off-key singing desires? No, no you are not.

Lips mic incompatible with Rock Band / Guitar Hero (at launch, anyway)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 18th 2008 at 7:05AM

Anytime we hear the words "incompatible" and "music game" mixed into the same sentence, we typically can't resist the onset of a bitter beer face. That being true, we can't say we're too terribly bummed about this one, particularly since we highly doubt Microsoft's Lips will have the same following as Rock Band and / or Guitar Hero: World Tour. At any rate, you should probably know that the accelerometer-packin' Lips microphone will not work with RB nor GH at launch, though creator Keiichi Yano of Inis did confess that compatibility was theoretically possible with future patches. 'Course, we doubt anyone will spend time on said patches unless Lips moves like a billion copies this winter, but we suppose anything is possible with a snap of the fingers and a pinch of pixie dust.

[Via Joystiq]

Microsoft announces Lips karaoke game with motion-sensitive mics

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 14th 2008 at 1:49PM

We pretty much knew it was coming, but Microsoft just officially announced the Lips karaoke game official. Just like we'd heard, the singalong title will come with a motion-sensitive mic that lights up in time to your voice. The game interface is somewhat similar to Rock Band or Singstar, where you have to hit various pitches accurately to rack up points -- but in addition to the game content, you'll be able to sing along to your own music off a Zune or iPod.

Xbox 360 "Lips" microphone makes a cameo appearance

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 12th 2008 at 3:01AM

We're not entirely sure what to make of this, but Gamekyo has some shots of an Xbox 360 wireless microphone rumored to be shipping alongside a Microsoft karaoke game called Lips. Yeah, Lips -- there's even box art, if you don't believe us. The wireless mic looks pretty much like any other wireless mic, except that it has glowing LEDs up the base that "pulse to the rhythm of your voice." Yeah, sure, but can it feel the beat of the rhythm of the night? Expect to see this one pop up next week at E3. Bonus Debarge video after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Xbox 360 "Lips" microphone makes a cameo appearance

Tomy Hi-Kara karaoke cube is world's smallest

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jun 17th 2008 at 12:59PM

Sometimes it's best to not ask why. In the case of the Tomy Hi-Kara, which they claim is the world's smallest karaoke machine (unless others have something to say about it), we will simply list off some specifications and dimensions then allow you to judge amongst yourselves, because, really, yeah. The Hi-Kara measures just 2.75 x 2.75 x 2.75-inches in a cube format with a 2.4-inch screen that displays lyrics and happy fun animations. You have to download songs onto a proprietary cartridge from the Hi-Kara website. Finally, a headset / microphone serves microphone and listening duties for up to two people. It comes in white and pink. There you have it. We'll be over here.

White PS2 with Singstar hitting store shelves

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 27th 2007 at 7:45AM

The venerable PlayStation 2 just turned seven years old, and getting all dressed up for the occasion -- that hot Ceramic White slim PS2 Singstar bundle we saw a while back should be hitting stores this weekend, with availability everywhere by November 4, according to Sony's PlayStation Blog. The $150 bundle includes Singstar Pop, a matching white DualShock 2, and two microphones -- just the thing to spice up those holiday parties.
Read -- Singstar bundle info on the PlayStation Blog
Read -- PS2 turns seven

Lip syncing Tengu adds some merriment to your USB port

by Darren Murph posted Aug 3rd 2007 at 5:58AM

We know, you're probably on your third USB hub by now, but even if this forces you to purchase an entirely new machine in order to cram one more USB-powered whatchamacallit into it, it's simply a must. Meet Tengu, the USB lip syncer that politely sits beside your machine until it gets wind of nearby tunes, after which its face lights up and the digital mouth begins to try its best at matching the words coming from your speakers. Unsurprisingly, the design will reportedly be manufactured by none other than Solid Alliance, and while it's hard to realize how awe-inspiring this thing is in just the picture above, click on through for a video demonstration you won't soon forget.

[Via EverythingUSB]

Continue reading Lip syncing Tengu adds some merriment to your USB port

i-Sing MP3 microphone replaces vocals with your own

by Darren Murph posted Jul 24th 2007 at 8:26AM

Looking for that perfect Christmas in July gift for your favorite kiddo? The exorbitantly-named "It's Outrageous!" company has dolled out just the thing with its laughable, albeit well-featured i-Sing microphone. This device may sport all of the tell-tale signs of a good toy gone bad, but this karaoke enabler actually plays back MP3s and digitally removes the vocalist in order for you, er, your child to belt out the lyrics without being forced to out-sing the professional. Additionally, users can insert lyrics via the built-in software so they can read them back on the integrated LCD, and while you won't stuff too many jams onto 512MB of internal storage, parents can shove in an SD card for extra space if necessary. Hey, for $120, this seems to be a no brainer for your little diva. Check the video after the break.

[Via PlayerBites]

Continue reading i-Sing MP3 microphone replaces vocals with your own

Apple patent attack 2: iPod karaoke, iPod remote

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 19th 2007 at 6:53PM

It looks like Apple is on a roll with its latest round patent applications. Hot on the heels of the recently seen illuminated touchpad and Home on iPod filings, comes two new applications that should have only the fiercest of fanboys excited. First up is a technology which the Cupertino camp calls "Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices," or as we would describe it -- karaoke on your iPod. Nothing really groundbreaking here: obviously lyrics would be displayed while you belted out your favorite Pat Benatar song, which is pretty unexciting and definitely unoriginal. Patent number two seems a bit more promising, as it addresses the possibility of using your iPod or other "portable media player" as a wireless remote for your PC or media center, thus allowing you easier access to your Best of the 80's collection. Of course, this would require a wireless iPod, which doesn't exist, although we understand those new iPhone things have some kind of wireless capability...

[Via Unwired View]

Read -- Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices
Read -- Portable media player as a low power remote control and method thereof

Thinkware's iNAVI G1 karaoke GPS unit in the wild

by Paul Miller posted Jul 16th 2007 at 10:15AM

How were we to know that karaoke would become the next must-have feature in Korean do-it-all navigation devices? Thinkware's 7-inch iNAVI G1, which we spotted a few weeks ago, does all that you would expect of such a GPS unit, like picture-in-picture T-DMB, MP3 / video playback, and games, but the "Digioke" feature for road trip singalongs really makes this one a winner in our book. There's a 2GB version for 549,000 KRW ($598 US) and a 4GB flavor for 599,000 KRW ($652 US). Hit up the read link for a few more flesh and blood pictures, but that's about as close as you're going to get to this thing unless you're planning a trip to South Korea sometime soon.

iNavi G1 GPS unit adds karaoke for maximum distraction

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 28th 2007 at 1:14PM

Just when were beginning to think that PMP/DMB/GPS combo units couldn't offer any more driving distractions, along comes the iNavi G1, which boasts all of the aforementioned acronyms and adds some sorely-lacking karaoke to the mix. Apart from that notable distinction, the device looks to be a fairly ordinary one, boasting a 7-inch widescreen display, an SD card slot for expansion, support for all the usual audio and video formats (including DivX), and a so-called "G-Sensor" that promises to aid in navigation where GPS signals are weak. No word on price or availability, although you can be fairly sure that we won't be seeing one 'round these parts anytime soon.

Creative Zen Stone Plus lobbed at consumers

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jun 21st 2007 at 12:26AM

It was barely a month ago that Creative pelted the market with its Zen Stone, and now they're rolling out a re-upped and revamped version known as the Zen Stone Plus. While pretty much keeping the form factor the same, Creative has added a blue OLED screen, FM tuner, karaoke mode, and a stopwatch. The capacity has been increased to 2GB, doubling the original Stone's, but the color choices remain the same. Price and release date haven't been mentioned, but you'll know as soon as we do.

Update: For what it's worth, Impress tells us that the 2GB Stone Plus will hit Japan Saturday for ¥9,800 which translates to a tax-inclusive price of about $79.

[Via epiZENter]

Digital Cowboy's CA-K7 karaoke DAP

by Thomas Ricker posted May 24th 2007 at 10:01AM

If you don't see the need for karaoke in a DAP then you're obviously living outside of this "continent oriented" player. The CA-K7 from Japan's Digital Cowboy packs 1GB of flash, an integrated microphone, and a proprietary jack on the bottom for connecting an external mic, TV, and home audio system. It also packs enough vocal manipulation tweaks to give you a shot at fronting Jane's Addiction. Of course, it also functions as a portable player with an integrated FM tuner and support for MP3, WMA, and OGG audio at up to 12 hours per charge. Rolling out in Japan and vicinity on May 31st for ¥14,800 or about $122. Check another picture after the break.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading Digital Cowboy's CA-K7 karaoke DAP