FAQ
Where can I download karaoke
Try the built in Music Store!
- KaraokeVersion € 2.49 EUR
- BuyKaraokeDownloads 79¢ - $1.49 per track
- CAVS: 99¢ - $1.99 per track. Take Note: These songs come with 3 files: the MP3, the CDG and a ".mcg" file that is ignored by kJams.
- Karaoke.cc $2.95 per track. They have the entire Zoom Karaoke collection which is pretty good quality.
What drives are supported? What drive do you recommend?
I recommend a Lightscribe (LightOn or LaCie). See the section on Compatible Drives.
Can I get kJams to burn using my 3rd party drive?
If your drive does not show up as a burner, then you must install PatchBurn. This allows you to burn CD's using 3rd party drives. No more "unsupported" message.
Trying to burn, I get "DRStatusStateFailed", whaa??
See Failed Burn.
I ran into a problem / bug, what should I do?
Please see Bug Reporting.
Can you please add XYZ feature that is in iTunes?
Yes. Here's the metric: if iTunes does it, eventually kJams will too. These things take time, but that's the plan.
How long until I have to pay again?
How_long_until_I_have_to_pay_again
Why should I buy this instead of iStar?
See Compare.
When I submit to freedb, I get an email indicating an error
How do I manually send you the Log File or Crash Report?
Check out Logs.
How do I print song books?
See Printing.
Please explain "Rotation", or What's the difference between "Rotation" and "KJ Rotation"?
See Rotation
Can kJams be remotely controlled?
You bet! Go to the Remote Control page.
How do I import my monster library?
Check out Importing
Can kJams play or import VCD / SuperVCD / DVD / LaserDisc / MIDI karaoke / QuickTime?
kJams can play CDG format karaoke and practically all QuickTime compatible file formats including MPEG 1, 2 & 4, KAR and MIDI. For ripping and playing formats other than CD+G, click here. kJams can't play QuickTime formats that include audio compressed using these old SoundManager formats: AMR Narrowband and QualCom PureVoice™.
Can kJams play CAVS ".mcg" and ".ncg" files? What about SuperCDG discs?
YES! Just load them up! Here's some info on how to Glean the Meta Data from them.
Can kJams play MTU ".kma" files?
YES! Just load them up! You may need to install Flip4Mac to get WMA playback.
Can kJams play TriceraSoft ".kmf" files?
Yes but only after they are converted using this Windows software. I know that TriceraSoft would actually like to give this away, but alas, due to contractual obligations you still have to purchase this converter. (USD $45)
How do I consolidate and/or move my library to an external volume?
Check out Consolidating and Moving
How do I rebuild my library?
First: if you're an older user, ie: been using kJams since before d46, take note: If you edited meta data using a version of kJams PRIOR to d46, and you haven't edited them since, then those songs should have their meta data "pushed" BEFORE proceeding. Okay now that that is out of the way: Throw out the "kJams Library" folder (or make a backup somewhere, alternately you can simply right click-create archive it, and put a tilde (~) in front of the archive name, THEN delete the original folder. In doing this you will loose all your playlists, venues and singers. In Late Beta there will be a feature that does this without you loosing your lists. Do NOT throw out "kJams CDs" or "kJams Musc" or anything else you find at the same level. After you run, any songs you've previously ripped will automatically add to the library (since they're in the "kJams Music" folder. You'll then have to re-do any other "Add To Library"-s that you had done before.
How do I show the lyrics on a TV?
Some laptops have an S-Video port. Just plug that into a TV. For laptops with the mini DVI port, you'll need this. For desktops or laptops with regular size DVI ports, get this. Now go to the System Preferences->Displays and pick "Detect Displays", and now you'll have extended desktop, if not, then, under the "Arrangement" tab, un-check the "Mirror Displays" checkbox. Then just drag the kJams Video Window to the 2nd display and press ⌘-0 (that's command-zero) to go to full screen.
Can my mac video go to HDTV or 1080i?
In fact it probably can! See HDTV.
Can my iMac or eMac or iBook use a TV as a 2nd display?
Check out this, or this. You'll find this interesting too. You'll need this or this (same link) too, depending on the type of port your have, check your computer's documentation.
How can I add even more displays?
Try this. Or, for notebooks, if you have a PCMCIA slot: For 1 more display, go here. For 2 more displays, go here. If you have an ExpressCard slot: click here. For desktop machines, you just need to add another video card, or use the dual head of your main card if you have one. For each display that you need to be on a TV screen, you'll need one of these or these. Another option is DisplayLink, it will work perfectly for CD+G videos. You *may* experience some artifacting or latency with movie videos (MPEG, AVI, MOV etc).
How do I use Preset Playlists?
Check out Preset Playlists
What are you doing accessing the internet on startup?
kJams is requesting the file: http://www.kjams.com/downloads/version.xml so that it can compare your version with the latest on the server. kJams will NEVER gather or send personal information anywhere, ever. No I don't do statistical profiling either. Use LittleSnitch if you're paranoid. You can shut it off in the Preferences.
How do I remove vocals from a song?
With "Multiplex" it's easy, other than that usually you can't, but you can try. See Vocal Reduction.
Can I stream the audio to AirTunes?
Yes, using a third party program called AirFoil. Once the music starts going to AirTunes, there is about a 2 second latency in the audio, so in the menu bar pick "Controls->Global Slip AirFoil", which should compensate for the latency. If it is not exact you can fine tune the latency with the other Global Slip commands.
What are the minimum requirements?
Got info on decoding CD+G streams?
Technical info on the CD+G format
What are your Development Stages?
Go to Development Stages
Where did it come from?
The graphics decoder is based on code from Jim Bumgardner. The pitch bending is based on the SoundTouch library. The zip format support came from zlib. The audio player, and some other stuff came from Apple sample code. Shoping cart by eSellerate. AppleRemote support by Martin Kahr. Decoding / demuxing of MPEG1 and MPEG2 optionally provided via FFmpeg. Encoding to MP3 optionally provided by LAME. ID3 tag support (meta info) by ID3Lib. Vorbis support (including tag editing) provided by Xiph. The rest I wrote in C++, heavily relying on the STL.