I have some younger kids (9 & 6) and they are beginning to like to sing.   I've thought of buy some kind of microphone setup.   A buddy suggested a mixer & a PA, this way they could sing together with an ipod.  

Then I got thinking why not make this a karaoke setup.    I started surfing, but its hard to find advice for a basic cheap home setup.   I want to avoid the karaoke-tv-dvd setup and get something a little more commercial.

Anyone with a basic setup have some advice?   This is not for a DJ / KJ service, but just when the kids have friends over.  

I just learned about the CDG & MP3+G stuff - the ones I have heard so far seem real cheesey.   Any suggestions there, too?

Not sure what the budget is but a buddy showed me a mixer + PA for about $400 - and that was fair.   I'd like the total bill to be under $1,000.

A big requirement would be karaoke to the latest lady gaga, or whatever pop-star is famous these days.   The beatles & elvis wouldn't do it for them...


Thanks!

My advice.....DONT DO IT!

Just get them Sing Star for the PS3 or one of the newer rockband or guitar her games that have vocals

there are nifty softwares to add lyrics display to songs. At some point I want to make that to the arcade machine, Kathleen love karaoke.
singstar is fun, but its not the same.

Hmmm, $50 for a PS3 game, or $$$$ for the mixer/PA version...

..., but I want the "wow" factor...., and I don't think the PS3 has that, unless I hook up a bunch of DJ lights & a stereo (neither of which I have)...

Skip the PA - way too much power for a house (i'm a DJ)

You can get software on the internet that can do karaoke on your computer, and if you (don't yell at me this is just a suggestion)
there are tons of torrents out there with karaoke versions with the CD+G available online, including newer stuff, just google it.

Get a nice home stereo setup, or even some of the big computer speaker systems they have out now that come with a sub hook it into the computer
with the software running, buy some cheap dj lighting off ebay and away you go for not much money at all

Just my .02

Eric