Download VanBasco Karaoke Player

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VanBasco Karaoke Player
Publisher: VanBasco Software
Age group: General Use
Curriculum: Junior and Leaving Cert Music
System: PC
Min spec to run:
PC
•
Pentium 100 MHZ or higher
•
16 MB free RAM
•
Windows 95/98/ME/ NT4/XP
•
Windows Compatible Sound Card
Summary
VanBasco’s Karaoke Player is a midi karaoke player that displays words of songs
highlighted in time with backing music with the option of changing different parameters
of the music. This simple yet effective freeware package enables group singing to have
accompaniment in the classroom and also gives the teacher control over the key and
tempo of the song. The software provides an enjoyable environment for singing and also
makes provisions for students to integrate their art work in to a background picture for
the words of each song.
Content
The software mainly deals with midi karaoke files (as distinct from CD+G karaoke files)
and displays the lyrics in a karaoke window while playing the music accompaniment of
these files. The pitch of the music can be altered up or down in increments of a semitone
in the control window where the tempo and volume can also be adjusted. The playlist
feature allows a playlist of karaoke songs to be devised for each class from downloaded
karaoke files that can be accessed on the internet by the VanBasco program. The output
window displays the names of the instruments playing and each instrument can be muted
or played solo. This is invaluable feature as teachers can mute the instrument that plays
© NCTE 2001
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the melody line in each song and just have accompaniment. A piano function displays the
notes that are playing on a virtual piano and a facility to search the internet for
karaoke/midi files can be accessed by clicking on the magnifying glass.
Teaching with this Title
VanBasco’s Karaoke Player is a great asset to any music or choral class as I have
discovered it is stimulating for the students and retains their interest and focus. In
conjunction with a data projector I use the program to display our song words in choral
class on a screen, saving time photocopying music and storing it and ensuring more class
contact time. Students project their voices better reading from the screen because they are
looking upwards as opposed to looking down at a sheet and due to the strict metre of the
backing tracks, the students sense of timing and pulse improves too.
The program also helps advance the students ability to recognise instruments by using the
facility to mute and solo each instrument in the output window while experimenting with
dynamics, tempo and modulation students can experience at first hand these musical
concepts. Transposing the music up or down even by a modest degree can have a major
effect on the performance of a song and because of this students who require a backing
track for their Junior or Leaving Cert practicals can download a karaoke file from the net,
mute the melody line, transpose it to a key appropriate to their pitch range and make
subtle adjustments to the tempo so as to customise the backing track that best suits their
needs. This is especially useful when dealing with modern music where it can be difficult
to capture all the nuances of a song on one instrument.
Installation
Installation is very simple as VanBasco when downloaded is presented as a setup icon
and just double clicking on this icon triggers the installation routine. It is just a matter of
accepting the licence agreement (by ticking the small box) and clicking next in all cases
unless you do not want VanBasco to be the default midi file player whereby you can
deselect this option.
Navigation
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When it opens for the first time, all VanBasco’s windows are open at once and can look a
little daunting, so it might be advisable to close them and open one at a time until you get
familiar with the program. The familiar CD player type buttons of play stop and rewind
greet the viewer when VanBasco starts and makes for a very reassuring introduction. All
the windows are clearly labelled with options to resize the karaoke window as desired.
Easy to use sliders make adjustments to pitch, tempo and volume a very simple affair
while in the output window clicking on the outer buttons mutes the instruments and inner
ones play the instruments solo. It is possibly best to turn off the autoplay button to the
right (red means its active) as songs automatically start when this is switched on. In a
classroom scenario it generally works best when it’s switched off and the song does not
start until teacher and students are ready whereby clicking on the play button or hitting
the spacebar will start the song.
Documentation
An extensive user’s guide can be accessed by clicking on the question mark at the top of
the program. It provides information on keyboard shortcuts, full descriptions of each
window and a troubleshooting guide, all of which can be a valuable aid in the classroom.
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© NCTE 2001
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