Hi,
I've been a kj for about 10 years - but new to kjams. Have always used cavs jb99, jb199, etc. but want to use kJams for a variety of reasons.
I'm just beginning; have already downloaded a pretty solid number of tunes - almost 20k - with mixed results re. song titles - some came up as numbers, some as "true" titles. I'll work on figuring that out later, because I believe as long as I have the number of the request, it'll all be good.
So here are my specific questions at this time:
1. Can I arrange it so that my computer screen remains user friendly to me as the kj; while my monitor for the singer and 2nd monitor for the audience only shows lyrics and a karaoke "scren" of my choice? If so, where do I find this information?
2. Is there an instructional video or book for newbies available that kind of guides you through the fundamentals? Or, what is the best way for me to "get it" - I'm an oldie (62); not stupid, but not anything close to savvy re. technology - but, a pretty good hands-on learner.
thanks,
Ron L.
New to kJams - Need Advice re. doing a show
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Ron Larrivee
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:54 am
Re: New to kJams - Need Advice re. doing a show
The answer to number 1 is "yes." When you plug a DVI to VGA adaptor into your mac and connect the rca cable from your audience/singer video box to it. The Mac will (usually) decide that it's a second monitor and that it's VGA and that it shouldn't mirror the main screen. If it does decide to mirror the main screen, you'll have to go to System Preferences>Displays> and click the Arrangement tab to unselect "mirror displays." Then you open kJams, drag the video window into the second display, and select Video>Full Screen (or click command-0). That should take your audience/singer monitors to full black. Double click a song to be sure you're getting video signal at the right size, and you should be all set.
For the second question, there's a wiki. Link at the top of the forum.
My basic workflow after setup is as follows:
Singer approaches and asks for song name "picture." I groan because I hate that song, the hit shift-command-f to bring me to the full library search box. I type "picture" and single click. I then ask them for their name if I don't know them. If they've sung before, I right click the highlighted song and from the pull down scroll to their name. They are added to the rotation in the next available slot and I can take the next request, fiddle with the amp, chat online, take the next request, or whatever. If they haven't sung at my venue before I right click and select "new singer" from the very top of the list and type their name then click ok. The next time a singer in the rotation comes up, I repeat the shift-command-f for "search," find the song, and then right click it, and their name will in the top section alphabetized with everyone in the rotation so far tonight. I select them and we're done. shift-command-f is a very good friend.
That's most of my workflow. The only thing you may want to note about the end of the rotation: you can't go back. If the last person in the rotation is singing and a new singer wants to put in a song, if the last singer's song ends first, you'll have to put the new singer at the top of the rotation for them to sing next. You can do that in the KJ Rotation view (selected in the source pane on the left of the main window).
For the second question, there's a wiki. Link at the top of the forum.
My basic workflow after setup is as follows:
Singer approaches and asks for song name "picture." I groan because I hate that song, the hit shift-command-f to bring me to the full library search box. I type "picture" and single click. I then ask them for their name if I don't know them. If they've sung before, I right click the highlighted song and from the pull down scroll to their name. They are added to the rotation in the next available slot and I can take the next request, fiddle with the amp, chat online, take the next request, or whatever. If they haven't sung at my venue before I right click and select "new singer" from the very top of the list and type their name then click ok. The next time a singer in the rotation comes up, I repeat the shift-command-f for "search," find the song, and then right click it, and their name will in the top section alphabetized with everyone in the rotation so far tonight. I select them and we're done. shift-command-f is a very good friend.
That's most of my workflow. The only thing you may want to note about the end of the rotation: you can't go back. If the last person in the rotation is singing and a new singer wants to put in a song, if the last singer's song ends first, you'll have to put the new singer at the top of the rotation for them to sing next. You can do that in the KJ Rotation view (selected in the source pane on the left of the main window).
From he to whom much liquor is given...much singing is expected.
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Ron Larrivee
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:54 am
Re: New to kJams - Need Advice re. doing a show
Thanks very much for your help - I appreciate it, and I know it'll help me real soon! I'll get in a little practice here!! Thanks again.
Ron L.
Ron L.
Re: New to kJams - Need Advice re. doing a show
My advice is to use some tickets as well, this acts as an additional place holder if you get problems
All you need with kJams is the following:
1. Song Title
2. Artist Name
3. Singers Name
Key +/- ...... Tempo +/- .....
I keep then week on week in addition to the kJams venue's. You may thing this over kill but its is a great way to have a built in comfort zone I flag singers songs into Rotation about 4 to 8 at a time using the tickets as a seed.
Great thing is you can also add notes on the back of them and your contact details (free advertising) you will be surprised how many people keep a ticket or two for reference if you see my point.
Using kJams for a gig is a dream, Its never given me any problems at a live gig, once I had a hard disk blow up on me (the disk platter shattered) Booted to Firewire external disk with a image of the working machine and bingo I was back in business in about 4 minutes.
Always keep if possible a backup of your rig and if you use an external disk (carry a backup) you never know with todays disks.
lol the only problem I have these days with kJams is that the singers miss there cue, not because of kJams but because they are used to slow disks
I used to carry a backup player and disks, no now I have 100% faith In kJams is does the business time and time again.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Mark
All you need with kJams is the following:
1. Song Title
2. Artist Name
3. Singers Name
Key +/- ...... Tempo +/- .....
I keep then week on week in addition to the kJams venue's. You may thing this over kill but its is a great way to have a built in comfort zone I flag singers songs into Rotation about 4 to 8 at a time using the tickets as a seed.
Great thing is you can also add notes on the back of them and your contact details (free advertising) you will be surprised how many people keep a ticket or two for reference if you see my point.
Using kJams for a gig is a dream, Its never given me any problems at a live gig, once I had a hard disk blow up on me (the disk platter shattered) Booted to Firewire external disk with a image of the working machine and bingo I was back in business in about 4 minutes.
Always keep if possible a backup of your rig and if you use an external disk (carry a backup) you never know with todays disks.
lol the only problem I have these days with kJams is that the singers miss there cue, not because of kJams but because they are used to slow disks
I used to carry a backup player and disks, no now I have 100% faith In kJams is does the business time and time again.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Mark
