| So you've taken the leap and decided that you're | | | | off time. Do they collect on the night (say, at midnight), |
| going to hire a karaoke system for your upcoming | | | | or do they collect the next day? Obviously, the best |
| party - good choice! You're sure to have an evening | | | | option is next day collection, as you will be able to |
| of good fun and laughs, and of course, a few ear | | | | party until whatever time suits you, and not have to |
| aching performances. Now you need to make a | | | | worry about when the karaoke hire company will be |
| decision as to which karaoke hire company or service | | | | arriving to collect! |
| to go with - no easy task. | | | | Some other questions that you might want to ask are: |
| There are plenty of karaoke providers out there, and | | | | Does the karaoke machine work on discs? |
| they're all promising that their system is the best. Here | | | | Often the machines work on discs, which means you |
| are a few tips to keep in mind when making your | | | | need to constantly find the song, then find the right |
| karaoke hire decision... | | | | disc, and then insert it into the karaoke machine. This is |
| The first thing to look for when hiring a karaoke | | | | quite honestly a pain, and usually the discs will be |
| machine or a karaoke DJ (often called a KJ) is song | | | | scratched and jumpy. Avoid karaoke machines which |
| selection. You want to make sure that the service | | | | use discs. |
| provider that you choose has a large song selection | | | | Does the karaoke machine have normal music as |
| (some karaoke hire companies have over 5,000 songs | | | | well? |
| in their collection). Keep in mind the kind of guests you | | | | Quality karaoke machines offer a normal music |
| will have at your party - young, old, black, white - all | | | | selection as well. Remember, you still need background |
| with different musical tastes. Therefore, you need to | | | | music for the early phase of the evening, and for in |
| make sure that not only does the karaoke provider | | | | between karaoke performances, or perhaps even |
| have a large collection, but that it is varied enough for | | | | dancing. Try to get a karaoke machine that has normal |
| everyone's tastes. | | | | music pre-loaded as well. |
| The next thing you want to look at is the equipment | | | | Does it have volume control? Believe it or not, a lot of |
| itself. If you are hiring the equipment (the karaoke | | | | karaoke machines don't have this basic feature. You |
| machine) and not the full karaoke and DJ setup, you | | | | may want to turn the music up or down, but won't be |
| want to be sure that it's really simple and easy to use. | | | | able to if there is no control. Make sure this feature is |
| Touch-screen is the best option, as it always uses a | | | | available. |
| very basic interface. Remember, it's no use having the | | | | Is the karaoke machine upgradeable? |
| karaoke facility at your party and not knowing how to | | | | Are you able to hire an extra microphone, or speaker, |
| use it. The best way to avoid this scenario is to | | | | or perhaps some disco lighting. These are great extras |
| request a demo of the unit. Try it out and make sure | | | | and go a long way in ensuring a "party" atmosphere. |
| you're comfortable with it. Another option is to look for | | | | Check if the karaoke hire company offers these |
| video demonstrations on the karaoke hire company's | | | | extras and at what rate. |
| website. Professional karaoke hire companies even | | | | Keeping these essentials in mind when choosing a |
| provide comprehensive instruction manuals with their | | | | karaoke hire company or KJ will ensure that you get |
| machines. On the topic of equipment, you also want to | | | | the best-suited option for your party or event. |
| make sure that the sound system sounds good and | | | | Remember to ask the questions mentioned here and |
| that it is loud enough for your intended purpose. | | | | you're sure to avoid the big pitfalls commonly |
| An important question to ask your prospective | | | | encountered when shopping around for karaoke. |
| karaoke hire company is whether or not there is a cut | | | | All the best! |