Karaoke is a fun and entertaining pastime, an opportunity to unleash your inner pop star, and a great way to bring people together. Whether you’re a karaoke pro or a bathroom singer, this guide will help you set up a DIY karaoke system that will level up your karaoke nights.
For the longest time I wanted to get my own karaoke system. Throughout the years I’ve had multiple setups. Finally, I’ve got to a point where I own one that you can reproduce on by yourself.
The final product will be a system with two microphones. This means you can challenge your friends to sing against you or play in teams.
The hardware
The two microphones
A crucial part of any karaoke system are the microphones. For this setup, we’re using the USB Microphones that are compatible with the Playstation and work as well on a regular PC / Mac. They work without having to install drivers and show up as individual devices in Ultrastar.
To differentiate between the two microphones, consider adding colored strips or stickers. In my case, I’ve chosen red and blue strips. These colors not only make it easy to distinguish the microphones but also add a fun element to the karaoke duels.
The software
The game
Ultrastar Deluxe, available at usdx.eu, is a free and open-source karaoke software that is the heart of our system. It’s a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface and the variety of songs and game modes it offers.
Finding songs
One of the great things about Ultrastar Deluxe is the vast collection of songs you can download and add to your karaoke library. Here are some sources for Ultrastar compatible songs:
- https://ultrastar-es.org/en/canciones?idioma=en
- https://usdb.eu/
- https://usdb.animux.de/
- http://ultrastar.altervista.org/forum/index.php
- https://usasian.forumotion.net/
If you are a student at a European university with a university email you might get access to the database from the Karaoke AG: https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/fachschaft/wiki/index.php/Karaoke-AG
Remember to respect copyright laws when downloading songs.
Game modes
Ultrastar Deluxe comes with several game modes to keep things interesting:
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1 vs. 1 Mode: This is a classic karaoke duel where two players compete against each other to see who can hit more notes accurately and rack up the highest score.
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Party Mode with Teams: For a larger gathering, the Party Mode is perfect. Divide your friends into two teams, each with a designated microphone, and let the friendly competition begin.
Setting Up Your System
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Hardware Setup: Connect your USB microphones to your computer. Ensure they’re recognized as individual devices.
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Software Installation: Download and install Ultrastar Deluxe from the official website. Follow the installation instructions provided.
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Adding Songs: Browse the websites listed above to find and download your favorite karaoke songs. Add these songs to the Ultrastar Deluxe song library.
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Choosing the Game Mode: Choose your preferred game mode. If it’s a one-on-one session, go for the 1 vs. 1 mode. For group sessions, opt for the Party Mode.
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Start Singing: Now, all that’s left is to pick up the microphones and start singing!
With this DIY karaoke system, you can enjoy endless hours of fun, right at your home. So gather your friends, warm up your vocal cords, and let the karaoke nights begin!
Tips for the event
Prepare a Song List
Generate a list of all the songs in your library. Print this out and distribute it among your guests when they arrive. This will give them time to choose their favorite songs and prepare for their performance. If you’re tech-savvy, you can even create a digital songbook that guests can browse on their phones.
Organize a Sing-off
Add some excitement to your karaoke night by organizing a sing-off. Divide your guests into two teams and use Ultrastar’s Party Mode to create a competitive but fun atmosphere. You could even offer a prize for the winning team to raise the stakes.
Set Up a Stage
If you have the space, set up a small stage for the singers. This could be as simple as a designated area in your living room. Add some lighting and decorations to give it an authentic karaoke bar feel.
Consider Themed Nights
To make your karaoke nights even more interesting, consider organizing them around a specific theme. This could be a particular decade, genre, or even a specific artist. Your guests can dress up according to the theme and choose songs that fit.