Frequently Asked Questions - Karaoke Your Way

Q: Do you offer AI tools?

Yes. Karaoke Your Way includes optional AI co-pilots: a conversational event planner that builds sections from your own libraries and a PopNGo filter assistant that suggests languages, duet mix, and karaoke-only filters. Enable AI Assist in Settings to bring your own OpenAI key.

🎤 General Questions

What is Karaoke Your Way?

Karaoke Your Way is a comprehensive platform for managing professional karaoke events. It provides tools for event organizers, performers, and audience members to create, manage, and participate in karaoke shows.

Do I need an account to use the platform?

Event Organizers & Performers: Yes, you need an account to create events, manage libraries, and access performance features.
Audience Members: No account required! You can join events via public links and request songs immediately.

Is Karaoke Your Way free to use?

We offer a Free tier for managing your personal libraries and PopNGo practice sessions. Running live events, accessing the desktop karaoke player, and unlocking higher usage limits requires a Starter ($2/mo, 1 active event) or Pro ($10/mo) subscription.

Do you offer AI tools?

Yes! Karaoke Your Way includes optional AI assistants:

AI Event Planner – Describe the crowd or vibe and get full event sections, songs, and queues pulled from your existing libraries. The assistant never hallucinates new tracks—it only uses what your organization already owns.
PopNGo Filter Copilot – Quickly build PopNGo filters (languages, duet mix, karaoke links, favorite libraries) just by typing what you need for a session.
Bring Your Own Key – You control the AI provider (currently OpenAI) and billing. Add your API key in Settings → AI Assist to enable the co-pilots.

Prefer not to use AI? All manual workflows still work exactly as before.

Can I run karaoke-themed trivia games?

Yes! Paid tiers unlock the new trivia module:

Games Hub – Start a session from Dashboard → Games (Games link appears in the header when you have an active organization).
Host Console – Filter by language, duet/karaoke mix, or specific libraries using compact icon buttons. Auto pacing timers let you choose how long players can answer before the system locks responses and reveals the answer.
Audience Join Page – Each game gets its own QR code and short code. Players scan, pick a nickname, and tap answers live—no login needed.
Status Board – Share /games/trivia/<code>/status on a TV for a public leaderboard and reveal screen.
History – We store the last 10 winning scores per organization (FIFO) so you can brag about previous champions.

Trivia sessions are isolated from performances, so you can run games during intermissions without touching the live queue.

What browsers are supported?

Karaoke Your Way works on all modern browsers including:

Chrome (recommended)
Firefox
Safari
Edge
Mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Chrome Mobile)

🎯 Getting Started

How do I create my first event?

Sign up for an account
Create or join an organization
Optionally create song libraries with your music
Create an event with at least one section (no library assignment needed)
Open the event and use the Import Songs panel to add songs to each section
Share the event link with performers and audience

What's the difference between organizations and events?

Organizations: Your company, club, or group that hosts multiple events
Events: Individual karaoke shows or sessions
Sections: Parts of an event (e.g., "Solo", "Duets", "Group")

How do I invite team members?

Go to Settings → Organization
Click "Invite Members"
Enter email addresses
Assign roles (Owner, Admin, Member)
Send invitations

📚 Library Management

How do I add songs to my library?

You can add songs in several ways:

Manual Entry: Click "Add Song" and fill in details
Bulk Import: Upload Excel/CSV files with song data
Copy from Other Libraries: Duplicate existing libraries

What song information should I include?

For best results, include:

Title: Song name
Artist: Performer name
Album: Album name (optional)
Genre: Music genre
Language: Song language
Singers: Preferred singers
Links: YouTube, Spotify, or other music links

Can I upload library cover images?

Yes! You can upload cover images for your libraries:

Supported formats: JPG, PNG
Size limit: 2MB maximum
Automatic optimization: Images are resized automatically
Reuse images: Use existing images from your organization

How do I organize large libraries?

Use search: Search by title, artist, genre, or any field
Create multiple libraries: Organize by genre, decade, or theme
Use pagination: Large libraries load in pages for better performance

How do I add songs to an event section?

Open your event from the dashboard and select the section you want to update
Click Import Songs to expand the filterable panel (it stays collapsed when you’re done)
Search or filter by album, artist, singer, language, year range, Has Karaoke, or the new Is Duet checkbox
Multi-select songs from the paginated results and click Add Selected; duplicates are automatically skipped
Close the panel when finished—the section snapshot library updates instantly

🎵 Queue Management

How does the song-level queue work?

The queue system allows you to:

Drag and drop songs to reorder them
Track status of each song (Pending, Current, Completed, Skipped)
See visual indicators with color-coded badges
Manage large queues with pagination support

What do the status colors mean?

🟡 Yellow (Pending): Waiting to be performed
🔵 Blue (Current): Currently being performed (shows "NOW")
🟢 Green (Completed): Finished performing
⚫ Gray (Skipped): Skipped or removed from queue

How do I reorder songs in the queue?

Go to your event → Select section → "Manage Queue"
Drag and drop songs to new positions
Changes save automatically
Use pagination for large queues

What happens to completed songs?

Disappear from performer queue: Completed songs are hidden from the main queue
Available for replay: Access via "All Songs" section
Stay in audience view: Audience can still see completed songs in history

🖥️ Desktop Player & Popups

How do I use the desktop karaoke player?

The desktop player (Starter & Pro plans) routes karaoke and original videos into native windows on your computer:

Download & Install: Grab the latest installer from Dashboard → Downloads
Launch & Arrange: The app opens two windows (Original and Karaoke). Mute the original, unmute the karaoke track, and move them to the correct displays—settings persist across songs
Connect from the Web: In PopNGo or Performer view, click Connect Desktop Player. The connection badge confirms the link, and the Play original in Player toggle lets you decide whether the original track is sent
Perform: Press Play or the quick-launch buttons. Videos update in the existing windows without opening new ones
End Performance: Stops playback but leaves both windows open so you never have to reposition them mid-show

How do popup windows work?

If the desktop player isn’t connected, each song opens using your browser’s default behavior:

Most browsers launch a new popup window or tab for every link
Positioning, mute, and fullscreen controls belong to the browser and may reset between songs
If popups are blocked, the link will usually open in a new tab instead

My browser says the download “might be unsafe.” Should I worry?

Modern browsers warn about any Windows .exe or macOS .dmg that isn’t signed or widely downloaded yet. Our desktop karaoke player is safe—the warnings appear simply because we self-host the installer and it doesn’t have a long download history.

Why it happens: Microsoft SmartScreen and macOS Gatekeeper flag new binaries without an expensive code-signing certificate or reputation score.
How to verify: We publish SHA‑256 checksums next to every release. Compare the checksum after download to confirm the file hasn’t been tampered with.
Open source transparency: The Electron player source lives in our public GitHub repository so you (or your IT team) can review or build it yourself.
Still uncertain? Feel free to contact support—we’re happy to walk through the installation, share virus-scan reports, or provide a custom build.

Tip: After you install and run the app a few times, browsers typically stop showing the warning for future updates.

Why aren't popup windows opening?

Common causes:

Browser popup blocker: Check browser settings
Security settings: Some browsers block popups by default
Network issues: Try refreshing the page
Fallback: System automatically opens in new tab if popup fails

How do I position the player windows?

Desktop player: Drag each native window to the correct display and choose fullscreen/theatre modes once—mute states and positioning persist
Popup fallback: Move or resize the popup/tab after it opens; you may need to repeat this for every song depending on your browser

Can I play local video files from my computer?

Yes! Karaoke Your Way supports local file playback through the desktop player:

Setup: Go to Dashboard → Settings → Preferences and set your Local Files Base Path (e.g., C:\karaokeyourway\libraries)
Adding Files: When adding songs, use full paths (C:\path\to\video.mp4), relative paths (video.mp4), or file:// URLs
Playback: Local files work with the desktop player—connect it and click play on any song with a local file link
Browser Limitation: Browsers cannot open local files directly for security reasons, so the desktop player is required for local file playback
Library Page: The library page now supports Electron player, so you can play local files directly from library views

What file formats are supported for local playback?

The desktop player supports common video formats including:

MP4 (recommended)
WebM
Other formats supported by your system's video player

The exact formats depend on your operating system and installed codecs.

Can I use network drives for local files?

Yes! You can use UNC paths (Windows network shares) like \\server\share\video.mp4 or mount network drives and use their paths. The desktop player will access files from any location your system can reach.

👥 Audience Features

How do I join an event as an audience member?

Get the event link from the organizer
Click the link (no account needed)
Enter your display name when prompted
Start requesting songs immediately

How do I request songs?

Browse the library or use search
Click "Request Song" on any song
Vote on other requests to help prioritize
Track your requests in the request list

What is "Coming Up Next"?

The "Coming Up Next" feature shows:

Next 3 songs in the performance queue
Real-time updates as songs are performed
Status indicators showing current and upcoming songs
Auto-refresh when sections change

Can I see the live setlist?

Yes! The live setlist shows:

Currently playing song (marked with "NOW")
Upcoming songs in queue order
Real-time updates without page refresh
Section information when multiple sections are active

📊 Song Data & Quality

Where does the song data come from?

Our song database is built from publicly available sources on the internet, including:

YouTube: Karaoke videos and original songs
Public song databases: Metadata and song information
Community contributions: User-submitted corrections and additions
Web searches: Automated processing of search results

All data is processed and organized to create a comprehensive karaoke library for our users.

Why might song information be incorrect?

Due to the nature of internet-sourced data, some information may be:

Incomplete: Missing artist names, album details, or other metadata
Inaccurate: Misspelled titles, wrong artists, or incorrect genres
Outdated: Links that no longer work or have been removed
Mismatched: Karaoke links that point to different songs or versions

We're constantly working to improve data quality with help from our community!

How can I help improve song data quality?

We rely on our community to make the database better. You can help by:

Vote on Links:
- Upvote accurate karaoke links
- Downvote incorrect or poor-quality links
- Help others find the best versions
Report Issues:
- Use the "Suggest" button to report problems
- Provide correct song information
- Submit better karaoke links
Contribute Corrections:
- Fix spelling errors in song titles
- Add missing artist or album information
- Update broken or outdated links
Share Feedback:
- Let us know about systematic issues
- Suggest improvements to the database
- Report patterns of incorrect data

What happens to my suggestions?

All community suggestions go through a review process:

Evaluation: Our team reviews each suggestion for accuracy
Verification: We verify links and information before updating
Implementation: Approved changes are added to the database
Notification: You may receive updates on your suggestions

We reserve the right to accept, reject, or modify suggestions to maintain quality standards.

What if a karaoke link doesn't work?

If you encounter a broken or incorrect karaoke link:

Try alternative links: Check if other links are available for the song
Use YouTube search: Click the search icon to find alternatives
Report the issue: Use the "Suggest" button to report the problem
Provide a replacement: Submit a working link if you find one

Are you responsible for incorrect song data?

No. Due to the nature of internet-sourced data, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. By using Karaoke Your Way, you acknowledge that:

Song information may contain errors or omissions
External links may be broken, incorrect, or unavailable
Karaoke quality may vary significantly
We are not liable for any issues arising from data inaccuracies

We encourage community participation to continuously improve our database!

🔧 Technical Issues

Song links aren't working

Troubleshooting steps:

Check the URL: Verify the link is correct and accessible
Try different links: Use alternative song links if available
Test in browser: Open link directly in browser
Contact organizer: Ask them to verify the link

Queue not updating in real-time

Try these solutions:

Refresh the page: Reload to get latest updates
Check permissions: Ensure you have proper access
Clear browser cache: Clear cookies and cache
Try different browser: Test in another browser

Performance is slow with large libraries

Optimization tips:

Use search: Filter songs instead of scrolling
Enable pagination: Large libraries load in pages
Check internet: Ensure stable connection
Close other tabs: Free up browser resources

Mobile app not working properly

Mobile troubleshooting:

Use modern browser: Chrome Mobile, Safari Mobile
Check internet: Ensure good mobile connection
Clear cache: Clear browser cache and cookies
Try portrait mode: Best experience in portrait orientation

🎤 Performance Tips

For Event Organizers

Test everything before the event starts
Curate sections using the Import Songs panel filters (language, duet, karaoke-only)
Train performers on the desktop player connection workflow
Monitor the queue during the event
Have backup plans for technical issues

For Performers

Review your queue before performing
Position player windows (desktop player or popup) for clear sightlines
Update song status promptly
Use "All Songs" for replays
Practice the workflow before performing

For Audience

Request songs early for better chances
Vote actively on other requests
Follow event guidelines and etiquette
Stay engaged throughout the show

🔒 Privacy & Security

Is my data secure?

Yes, we take security seriously:

Encrypted connections: All data transmitted securely
Secure authentication: Google OAuth integration
Data protection: Your information is protected
Regular backups: Data is backed up regularly

Who can see my libraries?

Libraries are private to your organization. Invite teammates or performers to collaborate, or export a section snapshot if you need to share a read-only set.

Can I delete my data?

Yes, you can:

Delete individual songs from libraries
Delete entire libraries
Leave organizations
Delete your account (contact support)

📞 Support

How do I get help?

Multiple support options:

Help Center: Comprehensive guides and documentation
User Guide: Detailed feature documentation
FAQ: This page with common questions
Email Support: support@karaokeyourway.com
GitHub Issues: Report bugs and request features

How do I report a bug?

Check this FAQ first for solutions
Try troubleshooting steps
Email support with details:
- What you were trying to do
- What happened instead
- Browser and device information
- Screenshots if helpful

How do I request a new feature?

We welcome feature requests:

Email support with your idea
GitHub Issues for detailed proposals
Community feedback through help center
User surveys (when available)

🚀 Advanced Features

Multi-Organization Support

Create multiple organizations for different groups
Share libraries between organizations
Manage different roles across organizations
Cross-organization collaboration

Advanced Search

Search across all fields: Title, artist, album, genre, language, singers
Real-time filtering: Instant results as you type
Case-insensitive: Works regardless of capitalization
Partial matching: Find songs with partial text

Real-Time Updates

Live queue updates: See changes immediately
Status synchronization: All users see current status
Auto-refresh: Pages update automatically
Performance tracking: Monitor event progress

This FAQ covers the most common questions about Karaoke Your Way. For additional help, visit the Help Center or contact support.

Last Updated: December 2024
Version: 2.2

Frequently Asked Questions