| While the subject of karaoke elicits a roll | | | | the franchise, "Karaoke Revolution: American |
| of the eyes for many people, there's no doubt | | | | Idol," built on the smashing success of the |
| that karaoke has had a huge cultural impact, | | | | TV series, "American Idol." In this version, |
| first in Japan and then around the world. For | | | | up to eight people can compete in duets, in |
| a myriad of reasons, people enjoy singing and | | | | teams, or as single players. |
| performing, and there's no device that's more | | | | |
| successfully leveled the playing field for | | | | There's no doubt that "American Idol" has |
| public performances than the karaoke machine. | | | | been a factor in the continuing popularity of |
| | | | karaoke. The premise that almost anyone has |
| Traditional karaoke machines incorporate a | | | | what it takes to become America's next |
| microphone, a recording of the instrumental | | | | singing sensation (and that, even if you |
| tracks of a song, an audio output device, and | | | | don't, you can still get sympathy votes) has |
| a video screen that displays the lyrics of a | | | | aficionados singing their hearts out - |
| song. Singers (or those who consider | | | | whether at home or in public. |
| themselves to be singers) use the microphone | | | | |
| to sing along to the music while following | | | | The television series has also brought about |
| the lyrics on a video screen. Karaoke singing | | | | the next evolutionary step in karaoke - |
| gained popularity in Japan in the 1980s and | | | | turning MP3 players and MP3 downloads into |
| then spread throughout the world in the | | | | hot gadgets that are perfect handheld karaoke |
| 1990s. Typically, people would gather in bars | | | | machines. These specialized MP3 players allow |
| or clubs for "Karaoke Night," although some | | | | aspiring "American Idol" contestants - and |
| clubs featured karaoke every night of the | | | | anyone else who enjoys singing out loud - to |
| week. | | | | buy and download any song, input the lyrics, |
| | | | then remove the vocal track and record their |
| In the new millennium, karaoke machines got | | | | own voices over the music while reading a |
| much more personal. Singles and families | | | | display of the lyrics. The internal speaker |
| started buying home karaoke machines for | | | | and microphone, as well as the display |
| their own enjoyment, as well as for | | | | screen, make recording and playing |
| entertainment at parties. It was easy to | | | | karaoke-style songs a breeze. That's probably |
| simply hook them up to the television, put a | | | | why this type of MP3 player is touted as the |
| disc in the DVD player, and have a blast. | | | | most widely used, pocket-sized karaoke |
| Karaoke continued to evolve when "Karaoke | | | | player. |
| Revolution" was released for the PlayStation | | | | |
| 2 gaming console. The player used a USB | | | | These types of hot gadgets, the continuing |
| microphone or headset to sing along and | | | | success of "American Idol," and the spawning |
| received a score based on his or her | | | | of similar television shows like "The Singing |
| performance. Subsequently, several more | | | | Bee" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" all prove |
| versions were released, including a "Party | | | | that karaoke is alive, well, and evolving to |
| Bundle" for the PlayStation2, Nintendo | | | | new heights. |
| GameCube, and Xbox. The latest offering in | | | | |