The best way to learn Karaoke Name is a real practice gig — not a simulated demo. Friends can join with your gig code or QR, requests hit your queue, and (if you use The Rig) playback uses the karaoke folders on your machine.
1. Create a practice gig
- Open the Host Dashboard.
- Create a gig (venue name, times, and options below).
- Start the session when you are ready to take requests.
For a dry run or private party, turn on Private Gig when creating (or later in Gig Settings). That hides the night from Find Gigs map and list. Guests still join with your gig code or QR — not by browsing. Optionally add a password if you don’t want the code alone to be enough.
2. Let singers join
Singers join from their phones — no app install required.
- On the gig screen, open Display QR Code or use Print QR Code for table tents.
- Share the gig code shown in the header if people are next to you (especially important for Private Gigs).
- They search your songbook and add requests; those land in your Request Pool, then you move them into the Active Queue.
More detail: How to print and display your QR codes.
3. Run the queue
- Request Pool — incoming requests from singers (and walk-ups you add yourself).
- Active Queue — the performance order for the night. Reorder, mark played, and keep the room moving.
- The first time you open a live gig, a short in-app tour highlights the queue, player button, and QR section.
Fair-rotation craft (1-1-1, pacing, room energy) is covered in the Academy Hosting Guide if you want the craft side as well as the product.
4. Venue TV and speakers
Keep the dashboard on your laptop. Send only the player (or queue display) to the venue screen.
See Connecting your laptop to venue audio and visuals for HDMI, extended display, pop-out player, and audio into the house system.
5. Karaoke Player (The Rig)
Playback uses local files you mount in the browser (your MP3+CDG / ZIP library). There is nothing to “demo play” without those folders — mount them on the gig screen when prompted, then use the player controls as usual.
Visuals and beat reaction: Understanding Beat Detection and visualizations.
Quick checklist before doors
- [ ] Practice gig created and session started
- [ ] QR printed or on-screen and scanned once with your own phone
- [ ] Laptop → TV (extended display) and pop-out player on the venue screen
- [ ] Audio into the mixer / house system smoke-tested
- [ ] Karaoke folder mounted if you plan to play from The Rig
When you are ready for a real booking, duplicate or create a new gig from the dashboard and promote it as usual.
Need a hand?
If anything feels unclear or you hit a snag, please contact Support — we are happy to help you directly. No question is too small.