Newbie question - kx as a karaoke machine

Benzido · Jun 30, 2006, 04:45 PM

Hi everyone,

I recently built myself a media center PC, and just today I convinced it to play Karaoke CD+G discs right out of Windows MCE. I'm trying to turn it into a full-functioned karaoke jukebox. I think kxproject drivers could solve my audio problems, but I can't figure out the exact capabilities from the FAQs and docs.

I'd just play around with it and check, but I haven't moved the audigy from the other computer into my media computer yet, and I don't want to go to the trouble if kxproject can't do what I want. Basically, if I get stuck inside the computer all day, and it misses recording 'commander in chief', then my fiancee will kill me

So I'm hoping one of you can help me out.

What I need the kx driver to do:
1) I want all the sound to play out via SPDIF, so that my TV shows and music play through to the amp as normal.

2) But I also want the analog mic input mixed into the SPDIF digital output, so I can hear myself sing. The creative driver can't do this. And the AC97 codec which is currently residing in the computer REALLY can't do this.

3) Finally, I'd really like to be able to apply DSP effects (mainly reverb) to the mic input signal before it goes to SPDIF. But I don't want the same DSP applied to the music files which are playing.

Is this possible with the kx drivers and a basic audigy?
Thanks to anyone who can fill me in.

Russ · Jul 1, 2006, 02:26 AM

Unless I am missing something with your requirements, kX should be able to do what you want, but be warned that it does take a little time to learn how to use kX (don't want you to get yourself in trouble with your fiancee

). Additionally, kX does not use the Windows Mixer the same way that it is traditionally used by sound card drivers, so any applications that use the Windows Mixer to control certain aspects of the driver may not be able to do so (such things may have to be done manually though the kxmixer application instead). If your audigy is currently installed in another computer, why not install kX on that compter, and test it out there to see if it does what you need?

Benzido · Jul 1, 2006, 04:54 AM

Good idea, thanks for your reply. I'll don't think windows media center needs access to the mixer controls, since I control volume via the amplifier and not via windows.

Thanks again

Russ · Jul 1, 2006, 05:18 AM

Master volume should be ok anyway, I meant more along the lines of controlling MIC, Line In, and the Recording stuff (enabling/disabling different recording sources, adjusting recording levels, etc.). Again, all this can be controlled through kX itself, but some software (TV Card software, etc) want to control this stuff through the Windows mixer.

**dj_stick** · Jul 5, 2006, 01:20 AM

I'm with Russ, from reading your post kX will easily allow you to do what you need

just remember the DSP is like a virtual patchbay, or component system

bobcat56458 · Jul 8, 2006, 01:43 AM

Hi Benzido, I’ve been doing something very similar to what you’re interested in accomplishing with the kX Project drivers. I don’t have Windows MCE, but I’m using a Karaoke software called KaraFun for the playback of *.mid, *.kar MIDI Karaoke files, and CD+G disks. It comes in two versions, one is free, and the other is $60 and has additional features like the ability to make AVI video files of the lyrics & music. The free version would suffice for what you want, and it includes the ability to record your singing performance as you watch the lyrics on your monitor, overall a real nice Karaoke program. I’ve made up a custom kX DSP preset that does all that you were asking about in your post. It works with the KaraFun program, but would most likely work with what you’re using. Let me know if you’re interested in obtaining a copy of it, and I’ll e-mail you a copy. Below is part of a post I made on the KaraFun Forums that explains what I was able to accomplish with the kX drivers.

"This is something I found out that may help someone with a Creative SoundBlaster, or Audigy soundcard. It is stated in your help on your website that you cannot record the MIDI audio (events) along with your voice directly in KaraFun. But you can if you use third party audio drivers for your Creative soundcard, that are made by the kX project. You will need to make a software DSP configuration to allow this (add software effects, and wire up the software modules). An added benefit of using this configuration is that you can have two real-time reverbs, one for your voice, and one for your computers MIDI instruments sound, both highly configurable, and recordable when using the KaraFun player. This greatly enhances the sound when performing (and recording) in real-time using the KaraFun player with a *.KAR MIDI file, or even a CD-G or MP3 audio file, and even works with the free version of KaraFun."

Jun 30, 2006, 04:45 PM	#1
Benzido DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Newbie question - kx as a karaoke machine Hi everyone, I recently built myself a media center PC, and just today I convinced it to play Karaoke CD+G discs right out of Windows MCE. I'm trying to turn it into a full-functioned karaoke jukebox. I think kxproject drivers could solve my audio problems, but I can't figure out the exact capabilities from the FAQs and docs. I'd just play around with it and check, but I haven't moved the audigy from the other computer into my media computer yet, and I don't want to go to the trouble if kxproject can't do what I want. Basically, if I get stuck inside the computer all day, and it misses recording 'commander in chief', then my fiancee will kill me So I'm hoping one of you can help me out. What I need the kx driver to do: 1) I want all the sound to play out via SPDIF, so that my TV shows and music play through to the amp as normal. 2) But I also want the analog mic input mixed into the SPDIF digital output, so I can hear myself sing. The creative driver can't do this. And the AC97 codec which is currently residing in the computer REALLY can't do this. 3) Finally, I'd really like to be able to apply DSP effects (mainly reverb) to the mic input signal before it goes to SPDIF. But I don't want the same DSP applied to the music files which are playing. Is this possible with the kx drivers and a basic audigy? Thanks to anyone who can fill me in.

Jul 1, 2006, 02:26 AM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Unless I am missing something with your requirements, kX should be able to do what you want, but be warned that it does take a little time to learn how to use kX (don't want you to get yourself in trouble with your fiancee ). Additionally, kX does not use the Windows Mixer the same way that it is traditionally used by sound card drivers, so any applications that use the Windows Mixer to control certain aspects of the driver may not be able to do so (such things may have to be done manually though the kxmixer application instead). If your audigy is currently installed in another computer, why not install kX on that compter, and test it out there to see if it does what you need?

Jul 1, 2006, 04:54 AM	Thread Starter #3
Benzido DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Good idea, thanks for your reply. I'll don't think windows media center needs access to the mixer controls, since I control volume via the amplifier and not via windows. Thanks again

Jul 1, 2006, 05:18 AM	#4
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Master volume should be ok anyway, I meant more along the lines of controlling MIC, Line In, and the Recording stuff (enabling/disabling different recording sources, adjusting recording levels, etc.). Again, all this can be controlled through kX itself, but some software (TV Card software, etc) want to control this stuff through the Windows mixer.

Jul 8, 2006, 01:43 AM	#6
bobcat56458 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Hi Benzido, I’ve been doing something very similar to what you’re interested in accomplishing with the kX Project drivers. I don’t have Windows MCE, but I’m using a Karaoke software called KaraFun for the playback of .mid, .kar MIDI Karaoke files, and CD+G disks. It comes in two versions, one is free, and the other is $60 and has additional features like the ability to make AVI video files of the lyrics & music. The free version would suffice for what you want, and it includes the ability to record your singing performance as you watch the lyrics on your monitor, overall a real nice Karaoke program. I’ve made up a custom kX DSP preset that does all that you were asking about in your post. It works with the KaraFun program, but would most likely work with what you’re using. Let me know if you’re interested in obtaining a copy of it, and I’ll e-mail you a copy. Below is part of a post I made on the KaraFun Forums that explains what I was able to accomplish with the kX drivers. "This is something I found out that may help someone with a Creative SoundBlaster, or Audigy soundcard. It is stated in your help on your website that you cannot record the MIDI audio (events) along with your voice directly in KaraFun. But you can if you use third party audio drivers for your Creative soundcard, that are made by the kX project. You will need to make a software DSP configuration to allow this (add software effects, and wire up the software modules). An added benefit of using this configuration is that you can have two real-time reverbs, one for your voice, and one for your computers MIDI instruments sound, both highly configurable, and recordable when using the KaraFun player. This greatly enhances the sound when performing (and recording) in real-time using the KaraFun player with a *.KAR MIDI file, or even a CD-G or MP3 audio file, and even works with the free version of KaraFun."