Karaoke Glossary
Automatic Guide CancelAutomatic Guide Cancel is the same as Guide Replace or Guide Partner.When a singer begins singing over a karaoke file, the guide melody or the guide vocals stop; when the singer stops singing into the microphone, the guide vocals come back. Thanks to this, "you may be able to sing afterwards!" Bit-rateWe use the term Bit-rate when speaking of video or audio quality and file size. It defines how much physical space one second of audio or video takes in bits. The higher the bit-rate, the larger and better the quality of the file. 128kbps corresponds to CD quality. For MP3 encoding, you can choose between constant, average or variable Bitrate. We recommand VBR.CDG fileA CDG file contains the data normally found in the subcode area of CD+G audio discs (mostly Karaoke CD's). That area is used to hold graphics which are displayed in sync with the disc's audio. In a process similar to ripping, a program (CDDA) reads the audio disc and extracts the data from the disc and saves it to a file. KaraFun can both read these files and read directly from the disc. There are very few CD-ROM drives that will read the subcode area of an audio CD in order to extract the CD+G info. To Convert CD+G discs to CDG/MP3 files you will need: Registered CDDA or CDRWin, and CD Ripper and MP3 encoder(s).CD+G formatCD+G discs look and sound like standard audio CD's when played on regular CD players or CD-ROM drives. The CD+G format is an extension of the standard RED-BOOK audio format. On an audio disc there is an area known as the subchannel. This area is used to store data for the cd player like, e.g. elapsed time. Some of this area is normally unused.In CD+G discs the subchannel is used to store the CD+G data. This data consists of commands and graphics that are interpreted by the player to produce the CD+G displays. There are dedicated CD+G players, mostly in the form of stereo equipment or stand-alone Karaoke systems. Using CDDA or CDRWin to extract the CD+G data and one of the many CD audio rippers and MP3 encoders you can convert your CD+G discs into files on your computer. KaraFun will then play those files on any properly equipped Windows system. DirectXMicrosoft DirectX® is an advanced suite of multimedia Application Programming Interfaces (API's) built into Microsoft Windows® operating systems. In simple words, DirectX is a Windows technology that enables higher performance in graphics and sound when you're playing games or watching video on your PC. You need to have DirectX 8.1 or higher installed, to be able to use KaraFun.Click here to download the latest version of DirectX EchoAn echo effect can be applied to any kind of extra track (audio and midi). You can change the volume level and the delay time applied to the current extra track.EditorThe KaraFun Editor enables you to create your own karaoke files. For more information, you can read the tutorial.Extra TracksAn extra track can be anything but the backing track: It can be the guide melody (an instrument plays the melody), the guide vocal (a real singer plays the melody) or your voice when you've just finished recording it. All theses additionnal tracks are always mixed with the backing track. You can reduce their volume level individually.Jack plugA jack plug is an extremely common audio connector. Jack plugs are available in two standard sizes. The original 6.5mm and the miniature 3.5mm. Both sizes are available in two-conductor (mono) and three-conductor (stereo) versions. You can plug a microphone into your PC and use it with KaraFun. It's generally a 3.5mm mono jack plug. For more information, read the "How to use a microphone" on the help page.KaraokeKaraoke is a form of entertainment where an amateur singer sings over recorded music. The music is often of a well-known song in which the voice of the original singer is absent or reduced in volume. Lyrics are usually also displayed, sometimes including color changes synchronized with the music, in order to help with the sing-along.KAR fileA .KAR file or (MIDI-)karaoke file is just a special kind of MIDI file.Key ControlRaises or lowers all of the notes in order to help you sing within your voice range. Key changes effect only the musical pitch and not the tempo. (also named Pitch Control or Key Changer)KFN fileThe KFN format is used by KaraFun software for storing MP3 or MIDI karaoke files. It can contain a lot of information: MP3/OGG audio tracks, MID or KAR files, images (JPG, PNG or BMP format), lyrics, visual effects... This format is continuously evolving and new features are continually being added.KFP fileA KFP file (KaraFun Preset) is used to play KAR, LRC, KOK and CDG karaoke files with an appropriate visual environment. It does not contain music, lyrics or syncs, but it is used to "package" your entire karaoke files. You can also use it as a starting point for KFN file creations. Some karaoke presets are included in KaraFun, but you can download many others in the Karaoke Presets Download page. You can create your own presets with the KaraFun Editor.KPL fileA KPL file (KaraFun PlayList) contains the list of karaoke files that KaraFun will play automatically. You can manage your list in the Playlist Window of the KaraFun Player. They are the same as M3U files.MIDIMusical Instrument Digital Interface.MP3 fileAn MPEG audio file (MP3) is a highly compressed audio file that can be played back at CD quality. A typical audio track from a standard audio CD normally takes 30 to 40 megabytes to store. Using MP3 this can be reduced to less than 4 megabytes while still retaining a high sound quality.The process of extracting the audio from a CD disc is called "ripping". This gives you a WAV file. You must then "encode" this WAV file into an MP3 file. There are various programs available to do this for you. Some programs combine the ripping and encoding into one step. Backing TrackPre-recorded music used by a singer or another musician during a performance and which augments or entirely replaces other performers. This has become increasingly popular as musicians attempt to recreate the sound of their studio recordings live on stage. Karaoke song is just another title for backing track.PresetKaraFun Karaoke Preset. See KFP file.SyncA sync (abbreviation of synchronization) is the time position of a piece of text separated by a space, a carriage return or by the "/" character. In the KaraFun Editor, syncs are shown with little vertical dotted lines with pieces of text. In the KaraFun Player, you can show the syncs by using the "Sync Bubbles Mode" button.Sync-Bubbles ModeThe sync bubble mode displays incoming synchronizations: useful to anticipate when lyrics restart after a solo.Tempo controlControls the speed of the music. (also named Speed Control)Text HighlightingThere are two ways of highlighting the text while the karaoke is playing: by blocks of text or gradually by line. You can change from one style to the other using the TXT button on the main window of the player. The type of highlighting used can be defined in the KFN file.Training ModeThe training mode (the "sunglasses" button) is optimal for easy reading. It helps the user become more familiar with the lyrics. You can change the colors and the font type in the options.Vocal ReducerReduces the level of a particular vocal range on an original MP3 song, but may also reduce instruments in the same range.WAV fileAn uncompressed audio file format. When you record your voice with KaraFun, a .wav file is created. |
