Bring the party to your own lounge with your own karaoke machine

People have dreamed of being famous singers since show business began, and with TV shows like The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent attracting millions of viewers every week, the singing craze has never been bigger. The good news for the budding stars and starlets of tomorrow is that it's easy to stage an X Factor audition in your own home for you and your friends, when you kit yourself out with a karaoke machine.



You've probably tried out a karaoke machine before, or perhaps cringed with embarrassment when someone you know has got up on stage to sing their favourite hits. Karaoke has been a huge hit in the Far East since it began in Japan in the 1970s, and it's a growing craze in the UK too - but karaoke doesn't have to be limited to nights out or special occasions when you get your own machine.



There are several types of karaoke machines available, depending on what you're looking for and how much you're able to spend. While singing unaccompanied may be free, it lacks a certain something that the full music of the karaoke machine can provide - not to mention giving you the lyrics on the screen, so you don't make too many slip-ups.

Among the features that contribute to the price of karaoke machines is the sound quality, which can range from relatively poor on cheaper models - usually those aimed at young children who won't mind the difference - to superior quality on more advanced models. Karaoke machines may also be portable or need to be connected to your TV or other electronic devices, which will be an important difference if you're planning on bringing the machine with you to picnics and other occasions.



As well as allowing you to perform your favourite songs live, one of the most popular features of a karaoke machine is the ability to record your singing and play it back at a later date. In the past, machines had to rely on clunky cassette tapes and writable CDs, but some of today's karaoke machines can store files digitally before you decide to record them to CD or DVD - making it easier to hone your performances and lay down your best tracks.



More advanced karaoke machines can also offer many of the features of a real recording studio, including auto-tune functions to help perfect your pitch or software to make your own music videos.