posted
Roughly every year, I will make up new books. Update all new releases into the main and print. In the past, I would go through and pull out all the pages and restuff the sheet protectors (which are hardly cheap), replace the protectors as needed etc. Well I've gotten to the point this year where I usually do this. I will be jumping from a 2" binder to 3" binder. I am buying all new sheet protectors. Obviously, I would like to do the best I can, but considering the abuse these things take, cost will be an issue. Just wondering what others do, buy sheet protectors in bulk or the local Office Max. Any suggestions on 3" binders. I will usually make 15 binders to start, approx. 2500 sheet protectors will be needed. Any suggestions?
-------------------- UB Star Karaoke Show Posts: 650 | From: Massillon, Ohio USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Im also in the same process ...getting new books done... as well as getting ready to put my book on line...Question ..do you use 1 or a 2 row listing for each page???..mine is a 2 and has saved me alot of money..just a thought
posted
I usually goto Staples and buy all new binders, and at the very least one new pack of sheet protectors.
I do 10 books, so I spend about $100.00 on just binders. I've found you can't get too chincy when doing your books, or they won't last. Not that they last forever, but having to replace them before the year is up sucks worse than replacing them once a year.
posted
We use clear coloured duotangs (clear for title and purple for artists, but any two colours will do). Due to the size of our book they are sub-divided into A-L and L-Z (including new arrivals as they arrive). We go to Staples for the printing, double sided. We print 17 copies each of Title and Artist and two copies of Disc Numbers (for our reference purposes). We have over 21,000 titles (including dupes). For the last print we included my library (Tile and Artist books 10 of each and one Disc book). Total cost $325Cdn for printing and about $20 for the duotangs. We do not use protectors. We find if a book gets wet on those rare occassions we leave it out to air dry. Once dry it's good to go.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I've found that having about four title and six artist (depending on the size of your venue) is a good mixture- don't forget to remove those annoying duplicates!
-------------------- one of the last legitimate karaoke hosts in the Pacific Northwest... Posts: 745 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
We decided to keep them in the books because different singers like different renditions. We have a front page denoting the manufacturers. And yes there are some that like what we may consider an inferior brand to a superior brand. To us it's a matter of singer's choice and leave the option out there for them.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by RC the DJ: I've found that having about four title and six artist (depending on the size of your venue) is a good mixture- don't forget to remove those annoying duplicates!
The same ratio works for me as well, and it may get even more slanted towards the artist books as the year goes by. It seems that the "by artist" books are more effective for most people.
I agree entirely about removing duplicates. Keeping the duplicates out allows me to cut way down on the number of pages needed in each book, reducing the overall cost of producing them and the number of plastic sheet protectors needed, and size of notebooks required - all of which in turn makes them lighter to transport as well.
I do keep a master listing with all the songs, duplicates and all, in it for my own use in case of someone who is particular, but that is SO rare as to almost be pointless these days.
I tend to re-consolidate the new releases every six months.
Posts: 575 | From: West Hartford, CT USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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quote:Originally posted by GeminimALE: Im also in the same process ...getting new books done... as well as getting ready to put my book on line...Question ..do you use 1 or a 2 row listing for each page???..mine is a 2 and has saved me alot of money..just a thought
Double columns are the way to go... cuts your book in half Posts: 575 | From: West Hartford, CT USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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quote:Originally posted by ultimatefan: Roughly every year, I will make up new books. Update all new releases into the main and print. In the past, I would go through and pull out all the pages and restuff the sheet protectors (which are hardly cheap), replace the protectors as needed etc. Well I've gotten to the point this year where I usually do this. I will be jumping from a 2" binder to 3" binder. I am buying all new sheet protectors. Obviously, I would like to do the best I can, but considering the abuse these things take, cost will be an issue. Just wondering what others do, buy sheet protectors in bulk or the local Office Max. Any suggestions on 3" binders. I will usually make 15 binders to start, approx. 2500 sheet protectors will be needed. Any suggestions?
Questions: How many songs do you list (non-duplicates?) Is that double sided? Do you use multiple columns? What size font do you use? Do you list all your duplicates?
Here are some suggestions to reduce the size of your books:
1.) Obviously print double-sided. 2.) Remove duplicates. 3.) Use a two-column format (like a newspaper) 4.) Reduce font size to a little bit smaller size
Posts: 575 | From: West Hartford, CT USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
I actually print out a new book every 4 months as I prolly get atleast 1500 new songs in that span, Then I go get copies at Office Max.
I try to keep everything alphabetical regardless new or old cause I've seen some huge books and they have about 30 pages of new stuff from each time they Buy a disc and I still have a hard time finding it.
Posts: 1483 | From: Kansas City MO 64119 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Many of you are suggesting going to a two-column format. My only issues with this are the fact that bars are usually dimly lit, combined with many older guests in some venues, throwing alcohol intake on top of that! I would advise keeping at least one book in a larger font for just that sort of situation.
(of course, I no longer have that affliction- lasik surgery has been well worth the cost to bring me to 20-15 vision!!)
-------------------- one of the last legitimate karaoke hosts in the Pacific Northwest... Posts: 745 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
Lots of great help and suggestions. Currently. I do print the sets back to back, but one column. I went to kj pro and printed out the two column. I'll run it by my regulars, but I think the one column is much easier to read for reasons that RC mentioned. I probably have around 6,000 songs. I have seen kj's who use one binder for Artist and one for Title. I will probably go to that several thousand songs down the road. My previous binders were 1 1/2" so I only need to go up to 2" this year. Again, this is why I asked here, I knew I could get some feedback. It is greatly, appreciated.
-------------------- UB Star Karaoke Show Posts: 650 | From: Massillon, Ohio USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Timberlea: We use clear coloured duotangs (clear for title and purple for artists, but any two colours will do).
I feel really silly asking this but... what the heck is a duotang? I thought I knew until you indicated they come in different colors!
We use binders but I've found the poly binder holds up much better. I ordered them online for $3-4 dollars a piece by the case. Currently ours are 2" binders with 10 for song, 5 for artist at one show, reverse that for another and 5 + 5 for another. I also use sheet protectors and that takes most of my time..... stuffing....
We keep a new section in front in the same format as the rest of our book. I've been to shows where their new songs are copies of the disc cover or individual disc listings and it is a pain! We have a master for the host and have removed several duplicates but do keep the main choices, ie. SC, etc... because I'm also picky about what I sing off of....
Sorry, got long winded there...
Susie
Oooh, forgot to add that we use one column for the reasons referred to, heck, I made the book and if it were smaller I couldn't read it!!
LOL I guess I ought to check into Lasik, Richard wants it but I'm skeered!
quote:Originally posted by RC the DJ: Many of you are suggesting going to a two-column format. My only issues with this are the fact that bars are usually dimly lit, combined with many older guests in some venues, throwing alcohol intake on top of that! I would advise keeping at least one book in a larger font for just that sort of situation...
I have found LESS problems with people reading the books because they're not scrolling all the way across the page.
If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed, you'll need to install it. And I've found downloading the files (right click and "save target as" work better than just clicking the link. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
quote:Originally posted by Timberlea: We call them duotangs up here they can also be called report covers or any local venacular. Here's a link to what I mean.
posted
Full House, just type in B2W 1Z2, it's a Canadian Postal Code. It should allow entry.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
When we do the original printing we have Staples use prepunched paper. It's a penny a sheet more expensive but worth the convenience. When we do the New arrivals we photocopy the either the disc cover or type it out and put them in the back of the L-Z books.
Once we get 800-1,000 (usually about six months or so)we print out the excel version (I do that at home) and punch them ourselves. We find we can get away with printing completely new books every 18-24 months.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by cliffd64: Here are some suggestions to reduce the size of your books:
1.) Obviously print double-sided. 2.) Remove duplicates. 3.) Use a two-column format (like a newspaper) 4.) Reduce font size to a little bit smaller size
I reprint books every 6 months (double-sided, 2-column, 1:3 title-to-artist ratio), and add new releases every 2-4 weeks in 2- to 3-column pages. I'll list all song versions (you never know who's looking for a certain version - as much as I favor the SC version of almost any song). I pride myself on catering to clients' karaoke requests (if I can get them), and state in my book that I'll have requests within 1-6 weeks.
I use a book-making program with a subscription service (I won't mention specific programs) - I find it make the job easier for me. If you start your book in something like Excel and keep up with it, that should suit anyone very well.
quote:Originally posted by cliffd64: Here are some suggestions to reduce the size of your books:
1.) Obviously print double-sided. 2.) Remove duplicates. 3.) Use a two-column format (like a newspaper) 4.) Reduce font size to a little bit smaller size
I reprint books every 6 months (double-sided, 2-column, 1:3 title-to-artist ratio), and add new releases every 2-4 weeks in 2- to 3-column pages. I go plastic-sleeved; it seems expensive, but saves your books in the long-run (to me). I list all "duplicates" (you never know who's looking for a certain manufacturer version - as much as I favor the SC version of almost any song). I pride myself on catering to clients' karaoke requests (if I can get them), and state in my book that I'll have requests within 1-6 weeks.
posted
I reprint Books once a year. they cost me too much to print otherwise. My problem is that I update every month. And when a singer is looking for a particular artist, after ten monthes he has too look in 10 updates then the main book. Plus it takes me a long time to stuff 14 books times 206 pages a book.
doug
Posts: 19 | From: Dacula, GA | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Commander Douger: And when a singer is looking for a particular artist, after ten monthes he has too look in 10 updates then the main book. doug
Just reprint the entire new section incorporating the newly acquired songs with the old instead of just adding a new page.
posted
Actually ended up doing black binders with sheet protectors. Printed 2 column and back to back. Removed dupes except for my master copy. I actually rigged up little keychain flashlights with some nice black link (home depot 36cents a foot). I got some really nice comments on them. Yes, I'm proud of my new "menus". LOL
-------------------- UB Star Karaoke Show Posts: 650 | From: Massillon, Ohio USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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