How do I start a karaoke session?

To start, simply click the 'Create Session' button on the homepage. You will become the admin of a new session with a unique 6-digit join code. You can then share this code or a QR code with your friends to let them join.

Can guests add songs from their own phones?

Yes! Guests can join your session using the unique code or QR code and add their favorite songs directly from their own phone or tablet. No app download is required.

Is the song queue updated live?

Absolutely. The karaoke queue updates in real-time for everyone in the session. When a new song is added, it appears instantly on everyone's screen.

What can the admin do?

As the session admin, you have full control. You can remove any song from the queue, reorder songs by dragging and dropping them, and end the session for everyone when the party is over.

Buying a Used Karaoke Machine and Upgrading It for Modern Karaoke

Second-hand karaoke rigs from the 2000s are cheap, plentiful, and—thanks to a few modern add-ons—still totally party-worthy. Here’s how to hunt down the best deals on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Kijiji, plus the exact gear you need to bring those dusty disc players into the streaming era.

1. Where to Shop (and What to Pay)

Marketplace	Typical Price Range	Search Keywords	Pro Tip
Facebook Marketplace	$40 – $150 CAD/USD	“karaoke machine,” “Singing Machine,” “Vocopro,” “karaoke speaker”	Sort by Electronics → Audio and enable radius ≤ 25 km for quick pickups.
Craigslist	$30 – $120	Same as above + “DVD karaoke,” “CD+G player”	Filter by owner to avoid inflated store resellers.
Kijiji (Canada)	$50 – $180 CAD	Add “Bluetooth” or “dual mic” to weed out toy-grade kids’ units.	Always ask if mics / remotes are included—replacements cost $20+ each.

Deal sweet spot: Stand-alone 2-mic systems with RCA or HDMI output from Singing Machine (models SML385/ SML625) or Vocopro “DVD-DUET” often sell for under $100 and include a pair of wired mics.

2. Checklist Before You Buy

Item to Inspect	Why It Matters	Quick Test
Disc Tray / USB Port	Older units rely on CD+G/DVD playback; a dead tray means extra repair work.	Bring a test disk or flash drive; ensure tracks load.
Video Out (RCA or HDMI)	Needed to feed lyrics to a modern TV or projector.	Plug into seller’s TV if possible; confirm video signal.
Mic Inputs (¼-inch)	Many machines ship with just one mic; dual inputs are essential for duets.	Test both jacks for static / drop-outs.
Line OUTPUT or AUX IN	Lets you route audio to a bigger speaker—or feed your laptop audio in.	Insert a 3.5 mm plug; listen for hiss or imbalance.
Remote Control	Navigating menus without it is painful.	Check that menu navigation works and all buttons respond.
Power Supply	OEM adapter avoids noise & overheating.	Confirm voltage/amp rating matches unit label.

3. Modernizing Your Vintage Rig

Upgrade	Cost	How It Helps
Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver (AUX-in)	$15	Stream Apple Music Sing or YouTube audio from your phone.
HDMI Converter (RCA → HDMI)	$20	If the machine only outputs composite video, this sends lyrics to today’s TVs without quality loss.
USB Audio Capture Dongle	$25	Pipe the machine’s mixed audio into OBS or Zoom for virtual karaoke or recording.
External PA / Party Speaker	$100-$300	Bypass weak built-in speakers for room-filling sound (see our 2025 speaker guide).
Laptop + karaoke-q.com	Free	Manage a real-time song queue so guests add tracks from their phones instead of swapping discs.

Wiring Diagram

[Phone / Laptop] –Bluetooth–> [Old Machine AUX-IN] HDMI (from machine or converter) | v [TV / Projector] Audio MIX (mics + track) -> Line-Out -> [Party Speaker]

4. Using karaoke-q.com With Your “New” Machine

Create a session on karaoke-q.com and display the 6-digit code on the TV (either via the machine’s video output or by switching TV inputs).
Guests join from any browser to queue songs.
Host searches Apple Music Sing or YouTube on a phone/laptop, streams the instrumental via Bluetooth into the machine, and lets its built-in mic pre-amp handle vocals.
Remove each track from the queue as singers finish; the next entry floats to the top automatically.

5. Quick Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
Lyrics lag behind audio	Use a wired connection for video (HDMI/RCA) and avoid smart-TV AirPlay.
Buzz/hum from speakers	Add a ground-loop isolator ($10) between machine and speaker.
Mics sound weak	Check machine’s internal mic volume; if maxed, try dynamic mics with higher sensitivity like Shure PGA48.
No Bluetooth audio	Verify receiver is set to receiver (RX) mode, not transmitter (TX).

6. Is an Old Machine Still Worth It in 2025?

Yes—if:

You score a unit under $100 with working dual mic inputs.
You already own a good external speaker.
You’re willing to add a $20 Bluetooth adapter to ditch discs forever.

Maybe not—if:

The seller wants >$150 for a single-mic, no-video-out toy unit.
Tray motors grind or skip (common on decade-old gear).
You host large events—modern all-in-one party speakers with mic inputs will be louder and simpler.

Final Verdict

A thrifted karaoke machine plus a handful of adapters can rival new $500 rigs—especially once you bolt on karaoke-q.com for song-lineup magic. Scour your local listings this weekend, run through the inspection list, and you could be hosting a throwback-meets-modern sing-along by Friday night.

Internal Links

Bigger Sound: Best Bluetooth Speakers for DIY Karaoke
House Party: Host Karaoke With Only a Laptop
Apple Music Fans: The Ultimate At-Home Karaoke Combo.
Community Event: How to Run a Community Karaoke Night Without a DJ.