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CDG Files, MP3+G, BIN & Karaoke CD+G Discs Explained

CDG Files, MP3+G, BIN, ZIP, and CD+G Discs

CD+G (Compact Disc + Graphics) is a physical karaoke-disc format. A .cdg file is different: it contains the lyric graphics but not the song audio, so it normally plays with a matching MP3 or WAV file. That two-file combination is commonly called MP3+G.

On a Windows PC, Siglos Karaoke Player/Recorder 2 plays CD+G discs and common digital formats such as MP3+G and ZIP. To make new tracks, use AI Karaoke CD+G Creator; to copy, rip, or burn compatible discs, use Power CD+G Burner 2; and to turn an existing CD+G collection into modern video files, use Ultimate CD+G Karaoke Video Converter.

What Is a CDG File?

A CDG file is the graphics part of a karaoke track. It usually contains the lyric display, color changes, and simple screen graphics that appear while the music plays. In a computer karaoke library, the CDG file is commonly paired with an MP3 audio file. Together, they are often called MP3+G.

If you have a ZIP karaoke file, it may simply contain the MP3 and CDG pair in one compressed package. A good CDG file player keeps the audio and lyric graphics synchronized so the words highlight at the right moment.

CD+G Karaoke Format Comparison

These names describe related ways to store the audio and lyric graphics. The files are not interchangeable just because they contain the same song.

Format What it contains Typical use What to open
CDG + MP3 (MP3+G) A CDG graphics file and a matching MP3 audio file Compact computer karaoke libraries Open the CDG file; keep both files together with the same base name
ZIP A compressed archive containing the matching CDG and MP3 files Storing or moving an MP3+G song as one file Open the ZIP directly in karaoke software that supports karaoke ZIP files
BIN Audio and CD+G graphics in one uncompressed file Disc-oriented archiving, burning, and compatible playback Open the BIN file
CD+G disc Physical disc tracks containing audio and CD+G graphics Traditional karaoke disc playback, copying, or ripping Load the disc with a CD+G-capable optical drive and karaoke application

These definitions and playback steps come from the first-party Siglos supported file types and Siglos Player/Recorder playing documentation.

CDG Files vs. Physical CD+G Discs

A CD+G disc is physical media with audio and graphics stored in its disc tracks. A .cdg computer file contains only the graphics data extracted or created for a song; it needs matching audio unless both parts have been combined in a BIN file or packaged together in a ZIP file. Ripping a disc can therefore produce BIN, CDG+MP3, CDG+WAV, or ZIP files, depending on the format you choose.

  • CDG files are convenient for laptops and PC karaoke software.
  • Karaoke CDG discs are useful for hardware players that support CD+G playback.
  • MP3+G ZIP files make large karaoke libraries easier to store and transfer.

How to Play CDG Files or a CD+G Disc on a PC

Siglos Karaoke Player/Recorder 2 plays CD+G discs, MP3+G, ZIP, BIN, MIDI karaoke, and common video formats on Windows.

  1. For MP3+G, keep the .cdg graphics file and its MP3 audio file in the same folder with the same base filename. You can also leave a supported MP3+G pair inside its ZIP file.
  2. Select Load File and open the CDG, ZIP, or BIN file. For a physical disc, select the correct optical drive under CD settings, insert the disc, and choose Load CD.
  3. Select Play. Use Full Screen for the lyric display; press Esc to leave full-screen mode.

The official Player/Recorder quick start includes the playback controls and supported-file list. Rewind and fast-forward are available for files but not while playing a physical CD+G disc.

How to Rip a CD+G Disc to Karaoke Files

Use Power CD+G Burner 2 when you want a hard-drive copy of songs from a compatible CD+G disc.

  1. Open the Rip tab and select the source optical drive.
  2. Choose an output format: BIN, CDG+MP3, CDG+WAV, or ZIP, then choose the destination folder.
  3. Insert the CD+G disc and select Refresh. When the track list appears, select the tracks and choose Rip.

See the official CD+G ripping instructions for filename masks and track-name lookup. Disc metadata may not be available for every release, so check the generated filenames before adding them to a large library.

How to Burn Karaoke Files to a CD+G Disc

Power CD+G Burner 2 can create a CD+G disc from BIN, CDG+MP3 or CDG+WAV pairs, and supported ZIP karaoke files.

  1. Open the Burn tab and add the karaoke files. If you add a CDG file, keep its same-name MP3 or WAV audio file in the same folder.
  2. Arrange the songs, select the burner drive, and insert a blank CD.
  3. Select Burn. The program first creates a disc image and then writes it to the blank disc, so make sure the temporary folder has enough free space.

Follow the official CD+G burning instructions for the complete procedure. If you want to create a new karaoke track before burning, use AI Karaoke CD+G Creator. To make video files for TVs, computers, or video players instead of a disc, use Ultimate CD+G Karaoke Video Converter.

Choose the Right CD+G Workflow

Your job Current product owner Detailed instructions
Play CD+G discs, CDG/MP3 pairs, ZIP, or BIN files Siglos Karaoke Player/Recorder 2 CD+G player for PC guide
Create a new CD+G karaoke track from a song AI Karaoke CD+G Creator CD+G karaoke song creation guide
Copy or rip a compatible CD+G disc Power CD+G Burner 2 Official ripping instructions
Burn BIN, CDG/MP3, or ZIP files to a CD+G disc Power CD+G Burner 2 Official burning instructions
Convert CDG, MP3+G, ZIP, or BIN files to video Ultimate CD+G Karaoke Video Converter Official file-conversion instructions

For physical-disc work, test the exact optical drive, blank media, and playback device you plan to use. CD+G reading and writing require compatible hardware; this guide does not assume that every CD/DVD drive or standalone player supports CD+G.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CDG file?

A CDG file stores the graphics portion of a karaoke track, usually the on-screen lyrics. It is commonly paired with an MP3 audio file as an MP3+G karaoke song.

How do I play karaoke CDG files on a computer?

Use karaoke player software that supports CD+G or MP3+G files. Siglos Karaoke Player/Recorder 2 can play CDG-based karaoke files on a Windows PC.

Can I create karaoke CDG discs from my own files?

Yes. You can create CDG karaoke files, then burn them to compatible karaoke discs with Power CD+G Burner 2.

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