Since getting into karaoke again and this time, 'going Pro' with the Siglos product, I found some 'desirable' features that I doubt they will/can implement quickly (they have enough to do with the nice product they have!)
So, I've been working on a new program for myself - to 'fix' karaoke file names and have a 'wireless kiosk' that folks can do requests from, etc.... Seems from this thread that others are looking for such a thing, too.
Right now, I have it working with lots of features that I felt I need;
File Fixer
I found that many of my discs have different parsing and it takes 'forever' to go into each folder, etc. for import (and, once, I accidently deleted the database after a big import (no backup...), so I decided to write a program to update/change filenames to a consistent parser format - makes it a lot simpler to import into Karaoke Pro (also, finding them in the 'kiosk' is easier with consistent filenames that have DiscID, Artist, Title, and Track).
This uses a super-fast search/replace/reporting database - with 32000+ songs it takes about 15 seconds to go through and report everything.
- Find mismatched pairs (mp3+g or wma+g) finds missing/mismatched .cdg and associated music file 'straglers' that somehow didn't convert from CD, etc. - I found several when I ran the program the first time (looking through thousands of songs, it is near impossible to see it, but this found them quickly)
- 'tight' search option (matches the search format better for mixed parsing). It uses 'intelligence' with things like matching the number of ' - ' in the parse rule to the number in the filename, etc. - eliminates matching DiscID - Track - Title - Artist when I ask it for Track - Artist type discs.
- Other error reporting logic (lets me know about other errors before committing to the change of a filename - everything is on-screen with a Visible confirmation (to show what will happen and allow verification before it does!)
- 'Custom' search allows you to find songs by Artist, Title or any other matching phrase (i.e., find all 'Beatles' songs)
- Use 'Custom' search in cooperation with 'Custom' output allows you to create consistent Artist naming conventions (i.e., replace all "Beatles" with "Beatles, The" or "The Beatles" - your choice!) - I bought one set of discs that have '[karaoke]' in the filename - this automatically removes that...
- 'FolderName' output allows you to name all the files in the directory to the folder name (for single-artist or album name, etc.)
(feature in the works - today, hopefully.....)
- Automatic Track Numbering automatically numbers the tracks (duh....!) when there is none. For example, many discs come as an Artist Name yet have no number on the track. This feature will automatically provide those numbers, sorted by 'Artist', 'Title' or 'None' (as found in the folder).
(future - though 'soon'...)
- ID3 support - for importing song names (the issue I see with this is that a LOT of songs I have don't have any ID3 names, or they are WRONG! This includes several SoundChoice discs I bought. Before I can implement this, I need to have correct (and consistent) naming (which is why I am working on that first!)
- ID3 update - once files are 'clean', we can update the ID3 to the correct information, automatically! Then, these files will work with a ID3 supported player, showing the Title, Artist, etc. correctly.
Karaoke Request Kiosk ('beta' version only so far, but works great!)
Turns your computer into a full-featured request kiosk! Using your filenames (cleaned with 'Fixer', of course!) or an imported .csv file (from KPro, for example - my first use...), you can instantly have a 'type-n-search' request kiosk. No more bulky, constantly in need of new printing, books to keep up with, this Request Kiosk allows you to set up a separate computer for requests and immediately find the song you want to sing!
(future/soon - have to test/verify it, but should work as my 'technology' is a web-based server.... - some of the below is my own 'wish'/'expectation' list.....)
WIRELESS Karaoke Request Kiosk (support for iPhone, Android, laptops and more)
Should be able to access the Request Kiosk from any wireless capable device, request your next song from your seat! Web-style interface, fully supported on mobile devices as the 'technology' I'm using should support it - just webpages!]
(future - thinking about it, for this if/when it becomes a 'product'.... - not difficult to do, just takes some time and not sure if it is 'interesting' for that many.....)
- solo singer 'pop-up' (seriously need a decent name for this...!)
Select a song from the Karaoke Request Kiosk and then click 'play it' to automatically launch!
Selection of a .cdg program will open your favorite karaoke player (tested/works very well with Siglos Player 2...)
Selection of a .mp3/.wav/etc. will open in your favorite music player
(now, here's the 'hook'...!) if your music (non-karaoke) file has an identically named .txt file in the same folder, we'll open that up in the browser window, formatted as you like it (large letters, auto-scroll [oh, another 'dream' feature...] etc.!) - I have several songs with only the music and .txt file - 'someday' I'll get them all into a .cdg using the Siglos product, but for now, I still want to sing them and this gives me a way to do it......
Most people will get the karaoke builder program, but this is a 'poor man's version, to work with in the meantime....
Soloist Random Playlist Builder
Many karaoke programs offer a playlist builder, though none I've seen allow a soloist that knows HUNDREDS of songs to really 'show your stuff' and have a variety of songs in the program.
The ID3 'Genre' selection provides some options, though still lacks the personal touch.
This program allows the soloist to categorize all the songs you know - in your own categories (up to 10 'levels'). Each song is then categorized into various levels (ex: 'Slow Favorites', 'Power', 'Show Off', etc. might be levels you want for "My Way" or any song that you really shine with). Then, when you are ready to create a songlist, you can select a pre-designed template or make your own 'mix' to get that "just right" playlist for the night! This is much like a radio show song mixer, playing 'Top40' at the top of the hour, then a 'recent hit' or two, an 'Oldies', etc.....
This 'random selection of my best songs' playlist will import directly into Siglos Player for a "NEW" show every night!
(screenshot here....
Create your playlist from:
[Genre] Oldies, etc. from the ID3 genre tag
Power
Smooth
Smooth
Rock-n-Roll
Top40
Slow
Slow Favorites
Easy Listening
etc...
etc...
etc...
The system will automatically fill in the playlist from your 'level' choices or the ID3 tag (in the case of '[Genre] Oldies' or other standard genre name).
Each song will only be picked one time per 'session'/playlist created.
You also have the option to 'stay on time' and create a playlist that lasts only X minutes (let's say you sing for 4 hours total, with 45 minutes on and take 15 minute breaks, you can select that and the program will create multiple playlists for you) [OK, this feature is not yet working, but it is on my 'heavy' wish list! ]
Well, that's a beginning on the 'features' list - some made up just as I was typing this (but not far out there either, once I get on it).
So, is this kind of what you are looking for as well? I am very interested in what others think about these features and am happy to share the 'beta' program (should be in a week or two) for those that will provide me feedback.
If this is something that many want, I can make it a 'product' - with, of course, a 'cut' to the Siglos folks as a 'thanks' for stiring my creativity into making some really useful 'tools' for my (and others) karaoke show (and all that work with/complement the Siglos program - I have no desire to make a player when they do it so well!)