Karaoke CDs and CD+G – What You Need to Know?

You might have been wondering, “Can old CDs be played in a karaoke machine?” It’s got a CD player in it, right? Correct, but I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Maybe you’ve already tried playing one of your CDs and had no success. 

The reason for the lack of playback is likely due to compatibility. You see, karaoke machines often make use of a special format called CD+G, which allows for more than regular audio. So, let’s find out more about karaoke CDs and CD+G and its uses…

Can Karaoke Machines Play Normal CDs?

The short answer, as you probably already know, is a solid no. But, let me explain why.

CDs are fine for audio-only… 

But, if you take any old store-bought CD or the one you burned and place it in your karaoke machine, chances are you will hear audio playback. But, there will be no lyrics displayed on the screen as the songs play. 

This kind of defeats the purpose of having a karaoke machine instead of a regular CD player, right? That being said, if you already knew this and you’re just wondering if it’s okay to use your karaoke machine to play CDs, then, yes, go ahead. It’s not going to damage the CD or the machine.

However, if you want to know how you can get not only the audio but the visual lyric video on a CD, then what you’re really after is CD+G.

What is CD+G?

CD+G is a file format specifically for karaoke machines. It allows for the same file to contain audio and video information without having to increase the size to the extent of a DVD. 

Most karaoke machines make use of this format. But, it can also be played on some TVs, PCs, and laptops. It allows the user to hear the backing track and view the lyrics on screen.

The “G” in CD+G stands for “Graphics.” So, CD+G means that you get the audio content of the disc being played back along with the graphical content. In this case, the lyrics are displayed on the screen. 

Playing a normal CD+G disc in a normal CD player… 

You will be able to playback the audio (CD) part of the disc, therefore, making it a normal CD. To be clear, CD+G does not contain any actual video. It can only display the graphic sequences that have been coded to the file. 

This works by playing the graphics back at certain intervals so that the lyrics appear on the screen as the audio plays.

If you’re looking for CDs that contain actual video, then you’re after VCD. But, for Karaoke, CD+G is more than adequate.

Which Karaoke Machines Play CD+G

It is worth noting that not all karaoke machines can play CD+G. Some of them support special formats, and others will use another popular format called MP4. The most popular karaoke file format is CD+G. So, it is worth purchasing a karaoke machine that has a CD+G player built-in.

Plenty of choices…

There are hundreds of karaoke machines out there. Many are likely to support not just CD+G but a host of other formats. And they will have plenty of extra functionality built in as well. But, make sure to check the speeds of the product to ensure that CD+G is supported before you make a purchase. 

A good example of a decent karaoke machine that supports CD+G is the Karaoke USA GF845. This machine has a nice all-in-one wireless design. It has great sound and build quality, and is super easy to use.

My Karaoke Machine Doesn’t Have a CD+G Player

If you find that your machine doesn’t have a CD+G player built-in, hold back those sighs of disappointment. Instead, rejoice, for there is a way around it.

Your machine is most likely a more modern one. That means it can playback instrumental tracks using a connection with a smart device or computer. The connection is usually established via Bluetooth, WiFi, or the good old-fashioned AUX cable.

The nice thing about this kind of functionality… 

You can now combine another seemingly old device with your karaoke machine. Using the Aux cable, you can connect a CD player to your karaoke machine. As mentioned before, you can place your CD+G disk in the CD player to hear the audio part of the CD+G. 

Almost all karaoke machines that don’t have a CD+G player built-in can be used with a CD player as described above. It is worth checking your device’s manual before committing to a purchase or attempting the trick.

If you are unable to do this and you’d like to get started with some karaoke, you might consider checking out how to set up karaoke using YouTube.

What If You Don’t Have A Karaoke Machine?

If you don’t own a karaoke machine and still have karaoke CDs and CD+G that you’d like to get some use out of, rest assured there are methods available to you.

For a full karaoke system, you will need the following:

• Speakers.
• An audio mixer.
• A screen for the lyrics.
• One or two microphones.

If you have the components but are unsure about the setup, do a search on this site, and you will find all the information you need.

Where Can You Get CD+G?

There are thousands of CD+G discs available on Amazon. They come packed with tracks that you can sing along to. 

However, if you want a more personal touch, you can have your own karaoke CD+G made by professionals who charge a fee per track. This might seem like a more expensive option but can work out to be cheaper. 

That’s because you are paying for one CD that contains all the tracks you want instead of two or three that have 30 songs, of which you only like ten. One of the best service providers is singtotheworld.com.

How To Make Your Own CD+G Disc

If you’re looking to amass a large library of material and you are having to pay per track, this could end up costing a lot of money.

One alternative to try and cut costs is to use YouTube for your more popular tracks. That’s because most modern karaoke machines have this capability. So, you can easily find high-quality backing tracks with lyrics videos on the internet. 

Go your own way…

If you’re adamant about using CD+G, there are plenty of software options available to make your own karaoke CD+G. Some of these are free, and some are paid; there are pros and cons to using both. So, you will have to weigh them up to decide what’s best for your situation. 

Many of them offer free trials. That way, you can get a sense of what you’re buying before you commit. Here is one of the popular options:

Karaoke CD+G Creator

This is an online service. You can use it to upload any original song that you like and then make your own CD+G file from it. The system is all-in-one, so you start by removing the vocal from an MP3 or WAV file. 

Then, you can custom add the lyrics and make sure they stay on the screen for the correct amount of time. You can also add images and credits. There are helpful hints that take you through the process step-by-step. Once you’re done, it will show you how to save your file and burn it to the disc. 

Two other popular services like this are Karaoke Builder and MTU.

Want the Perfect Karaoke System?

Also, take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Karaoke Games, the Best Karaoke Apps For Smart TV, the Best Duet Karaoke Songs, the Top Karaoke Songs That Anyone Can Sing, and How to Get Karaoke Songs for Free for more awesome karaoke information and ideas.

Karaoke CDs and CD+G – Conclusion

There you have it, the low down on CD+G. What it is and how you can use CD+G to enhance your karaoke experience. Whether you’re planning on amassing a retro collection of discs or making your own, the CD+G is perfect for all your karaoke needs. 

Until next time, enjoy your next karaoke session.