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Issue Date: June 14, 2009
Microphone master
Karaoke without custom CDs
Better warn your neighbors now: Karaoke is going to bring down the house.
The SingStand can pull songs from any MP3 player.
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Several affordable machines, including the Memorex SingStand (memorex.com, $69.99), will let you belt out your own special version of a Journey ballad. Unlike old home karaoke machines, the SingStand doesn't require custom CDs of songs with the vocal tracks removed. Instead, it connects to your iPod or other digital music device so that you can sing along to any song in your music library. (You'll have to know the words, though; it doesn't display lyrics.)
It also has a feature that minimizes song vocals so you can sing over the backing music, but that function works better for some tracks than others. On a Coldplay track I tried, it completely banished the vocals. But on some hip-hop songs, it just made the voice muddy.
Similar devices that work with iPods include iKaraoke from Griffin Technology (griffintechnology.com, $34.99) and karaoke systems from iLive (iLive.net, prices vary).
None will satisfy hard-core audiophiles, but kids will dig 'em.
-- Reed Tucker
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