playing karaoke from computer to stereo

[iamlsu]

What do I need to play karaoke from my computer. I have the cds, and the software. I would like to just point and click from the computer hard drive. How do I get stereo sound from the computer, and what kind of hardware do I need to plug in the mics?

[GX1_Man]

Since you provided absolutely NO information about your computer hardware it would be impossible to say.

[iamlsu]

Sorry, I have an intel celeron 1.3 GHz processor, 512 mb pc100 SDram, 80 gig hard drive, ac97 audio. Is this enough? If not, what else. I know the computer will play the cds and enough disc space to get me started.
Thanks

[soybean]

I gather you're using onboard sound now.  Right?  Does your computer have a mic jack on back?  If not, you'll need to install a sound card that supports a mic.

I've never used a computer for karaoke, so I'm not sure exactly how you need to set that up.  Do you basically want to set this up so that you sing into the mics and listen via your computer speakers?  And, record at the same time?

You mentioned "mics" (plural) and stereo.  I guess you'll need to look for a sound card that has dual mic inputs.  Such cards, if available, are probably going to be at the high end of the price spectrum for sound cards.  I don't know whether such cards are available.

[CBMatt]

You mentioned "mics" (plural) and stereo.  I guess you'll need to look for a sound card that has dual mic inputs.  Such cards, if available, are probably going to be at the high end of the price spectrum for sound cards.  I don't know whether such cards are available.

I would imagine this computer probably has one mic jack in the back and one in front.  However, I've never tried using two mics at once, so I don't know if this would work.  He could buy a USB-jack converter for pretty cheap for an extra jack, but again, I don't know if it would work.

[iamlsu]

Actualy I just want to use the computer to play the songs from the hard drive. The question is can I connect the computer to an external component which in turn will give me the stereo sound and the mic inputs? What kind of component and connectors.
Thanks

[soybean]

What about recording your karaoke on tape?  You could then transfer the recording to your computer by connecting the headphone output on a tape player to the Line In jack on your sound card.  You'll need an adapter or cord with plugs on both ends as opposed to a plug on one end and receptable on the other end.  You can get them at Radio Shack or some other electronics store.

To transfer stereo recordings, be sure to get a stereo type adapter or cord.  The plugs are different than on mono plugs.

[iamlsu]

I have the music on my computer. What I want to know is how do I get the music from my computer to a component which has 1/4" mic jacks and stereo sound out to speakers if possible and what that component might be called.

[soybean]

By "component", do you mean a portable device, a device which can be completely separate from the computer and to which speakers can be directly connected to?  In other words, this involves a separate set of speakers, not the computer speakers.  Is that right?

[CBMatt]

Basically, soybean, I think iamslu wants to hook their computer up to not just stereo sound, but an actual stereo system (like a boombox, for example).  Am I right, iamslu?  If so, do you have the component you wish to hook up?  I believe this can be done, but I'm not exactly sure how to go about doing so.  If this is indeed what you're trying to achieve, we'll look into it pronto.

[iamlsu]

Yes that is what I want to do.
I do not have the component. I want to know what I have to add to my computer, such as a certain kind of sound card, and what kind of connection do I need to the external component. If this can even be done.

[soybean]

I just connected the speaker output from my sound card to my AM/FM Stereo receiver via the cable shown >here<.  The black end has the mini-plug that connects to the speaker connector/jack on back of my computer.  The red and white plugs on the other end of the cable connect to the AM/FM Stereo receiver. 

I did listen to music being played on my computer via my AM/FM Stereo receiver's speakers.   

I also have a tape player connected to my AM/FM Stereo receiver.  It has a mic jack on front.  I guess, but have not verified, that I could connect a mic to it and record from the mic at the same time I'm recording music.  But, I may be wrong; perhaps connecting the mic to the tape player disables input from other sources.  I really haven't tried it.  My equipment is quite old and newer equipment would surely have more features.  But, I suspect such a setup similar to this may be what you need.

[iamlsu]

Thanks guys. Preciate the info.