Home karaoke setup: everything you need for the ultimate karaoke experience

Home karaoke does not require a dedicated machine or a complicated installation. With Singa running on any device you already own, you can have a great karaoke setup in minutes or build something that rivals a private karaoke room. This guide covers both, from a simple, cable-free setup (with AirPlay) to a full-blown "all-in"

Guide for the perfect home karaoke setup  

Let's get into it. First, we'll go though a simple karaoke setup for any home, and second, the one for more hard-core karaoke devotees.

1. The simple way: home karaoke for any home

For a simple, yet high-quality home karaoke setup, here's what you need:

• The Singa app (iOS, Android, desktop, or smart TV)
• A TV screen connected via AirPlay, HDMI, or screen mirroring
• A Bluetooth speaker or your TV's built-in speakers

Getting started: Create a free account at singa.com or download the app. Browse from 100,000+ songs, adjust the pitch up to four steps up or down to match your range, and press play. Singa is ad-free and lets you sing without interruption.

Want an even better experience? Try these steps

Connect an external screen with AirPlay

AirPlay is the most seamless option for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Open Singa, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your compatible TV. Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, and Apple TV all support AirPlay. Lyrics and audio stream wirelessly, and you can manage the queue from your phone with Party Mode while someone else sings on screen. Check out our guide on how to use AirPlay with Singa here, or watch the video below!

Connect an external screen with an HDMI

If you don't have AirPlay, connect your device to the TV with an HDMI cable. You may need a USB-C to HDMI adapter for newer phones and laptops (especially for Mac or iOS). Screen mirroring via your device's display settings is another option for Android users. For the most reliable connection use an HDMI cable, which looks like the cable in the photo below.

Connect your Singa device with external speakers

You can use any regular speaker that you can connect to your device to amplify the sound of the karaoke track.

1. Download the Singa app or visit singa.com.
2. Mirror your phone, tablet, or laptop screen to your TV using screen mirroring or an HDMI cable.
3. Pair your device with a Bluetooth speaker that has built-in microphones like the JBL Partybox.

2. The full set up: home karaoke with microphone, mixer and speakers

Sometimes you might wanna go big or go home. Or in this case  - go big AND go home. Here's what you need to set up an all-you-need, karaoke bar type of a karaoke experience at home. (Ps. Warn your neighbors! But be prepared they might wanna join the party 🎶)

Here's what you need

1. A mobile phone, tablet, computer or smart tv, to run Singa with.
2. Screen/TV, and a necessary cable to connect it with your device. Typically, this would be an HDMI cable. To connect a screen with your mobile device, you might need an additional adapter or you can use AirPlay!
3. Microphone or a few, connected to a mixer via XLR cables (unless you use wireless mics). Read our professional microphone suggestions here.
4. A four to six channel mixer with built-in reverb.
5. Sound amplifier system, for example active speakers or home entertainment system connected to the mixer output.

Which devices should you get for a karaoke setup?

There are lot of options and devices from all price ranges that you can consider for your karaoke set up - depending on your needs, and budget. To make it easy for you, we selected some karaoke hardware recommendations for you to check.

For your Singa karaoke device, you're good with a typical mobile phone (iOS or Android), a laptop or other computer, or an iPad.

To find your perfect karaoke screen, you might want to consider first where you'll be locating it. A karaoke screen can be a Smart TV screen (for example, an Amazon Fire TV), a large computer screen, or a projector screen.

To select the perfect microphone to your home karaoke setup, you have millions of options to choose from - from wireless to wired, ranging from $20 to hundreds. A good dynamic microphone to start with is for example the classic of the classics - a Shure SM58. You can see more of our professional microphone recommendations here.

For a mixer for your home karaoke setup, usually a simple one does the job well. For example a simple 4 to 6 channel mixer with inbuilt effects does the job perfectly. Check out our karaoke mixer guide here.

Then, you'll need speakers. If you have a home entertainment system with speakers, you can use these, or get specific ones to your home karaoke stage. Again, only the sky - and your karaoke budget - is the limit with the speakers, as there is a lot to choose from.

There are also sets designed specifically for home karaoke purpose. For example JBL PartyBox On-The-Go. With the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go you can transform any of your devices into a karaoke machine, by simply connecting your phone, tablet or computer via Bluetooth. The set includes a professional sound quality wireless microphone and an integrated mixer board, from which you can mix the vocal effects and volume to the desired level. See more info and get yours here!

How to set everything up?

Here's a simplified overview of a typical setup with a mixer and microphones. Let's get it done!

1. Run Singa on your device and connect it to your screen via HDMI

2. Connect your microphone to the mixer using XLR cables. If using wireless microphones, connect the receiver unit to the mixer.

3. Connect your Singa device to a spare mixer channel using an RCA or 3.5mm cable.

4. Use the mixer to balance the microphone volumes and music level, and add effects, such as reverb or echo.

5. Connect the mixer output to your speakers using the appropriate cables

To see how it works in practice, check this video where we connect Singa Business Pro with the necessary devices to start your Singa karaoke party.

Pick a song from Singa and you're ready to go!

FAQ about home karaoke setup

What's kind of microphone do I need?
For a microphone, a dynamic model like the Shure SM58 is a reliable starting point and handles the wear of regular use well. Wireless microphone sets give singers more freedom to move, which makes a difference in a larger room.

What kind of mixer is good for home karaoke?
For a mixer, a simple four to six channel model with built-in effects handles most home setups without overcomplicating the experience.

What's the easiest speaker setup?
For speakers, active (powered) speakers are the easiest option as they do not need a separate amplifier. If you already have a home entertainment system, you can run the mixer output through it.

How do I set up Singa with microphones and a mixer?What's the easiest speaker setup?
For a full video walkthrough of how to connect Singa with microphones and a mixer, see our setup tutorial video.

What cable do I need to connect my phone to a TV for karaoke?
HDMI is the most reliable option. Most modern phones need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. iPhones can also use AirPlay to connect wirelessly to any AirPlay-compatible TV.

Do I need a mixer for home karaoke?
Not for a simple setup. A Bluetooth speaker with a microphone input is enough for casual use. A mixer becomes worthwhile when you want to use XLR microphones, control the mic and music volumes separately, or add reverb effects.

Do microphones use HDMI cables?
No. Microphones connect to mixers using XLR cables, not HDMI. HDMI is used to connect your screen to your Singa device.

What microphone should I use for home karaoke?
A dynamic microphone like the Shure SM58 is a solid starting point. For a simpler option, a Bluetooth karaoke microphone with a built-in speaker works well for casual use without any additional equipment.