Karaoke rental: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What karaoke rental is

A karaoke provider supplies karaoke equipment and a song library, with microphones, screens and optionally a host, for parties and events. People rent karaoke when they want guests to sing together and take turns at the microphone without hiring a band.

Signs you need it

  • You want a singing activity that gets guests on the microphone
  • You are hosting a party where guests want to sing their favorite songs
  • You want a karaoke setup without buying equipment or hiring a band
  • You want a host who can keep the singing moving and handle the song list
  • You want a song library that covers a wide range of decades and genres
  • You want a setup that fits the space of your home, hall or venue

What the pro does

  • Asks about the number of guests, the space, the song styles and the length of the party
  • Sets up the speakers, screens, microphones and the song library
  • Tests the sound and the screen before guests arrive
  • Runs the song queue or hands it to the host if one is booked
  • Helps guests find songs and manages turn-taking at the microphone
  • Packs up the equipment at the end of the event

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the rental and the number of microphones or screens included
  • Whether a host runs the queue and the singing
  • Size of the room and the speakers needed to fill it
  • Song library size and any special catalog requests
  • Travel distance and delivery or setup time
  • Whether the provider includes lights, a stage or a dance floor
  • Whether the provider adds a second screen or extra microphones

What a written quote should spell out

  • Rental length, delivery time and pickup time
  • Equipment list with microphones, speakers, screens and any lights
  • Song library type and whether the catalog includes the songs you want
  • Whether a host is included and how the host runs the queue
  • Power and space needs for the equipment
  • What happens if equipment fails or a song is not in the library

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How many microphones and screens do you bring, and do you include a backup?
  • How big is your song library, and can I check if my songs are in it?
  • Do you offer a host, and how does the host manage the queue?
  • What speakers do you bring, and how loud can they go in my space?
  • What power do I need to provide, and how long does setup take?
  • What is your plan if a microphone or screen fails?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers the equipment at my event?

Red flags

  • They cannot show the song library or tell you how many songs it has
  • They do not provide a backup microphone or a plan for equipment failure
  • They do not ask about the space, the number of guests or the power you have
  • They say they have every song with no check of the library
  • They will not confirm the equipment list or the rental length in writing

What you can do yourself

You can choose a space with power outlets, a clear area for the screen and a seating area for the singers. You can also make a list of the songs your guests love and check the provider's library before you book. Hire a provider for the equipment, the sound and the song library, since setting up the screens and speakers correctly for a room takes skill.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for karaoke rental, but the venue may need music licensing for the songs played, and some public venues have noise and entertainment rules. Ask the provider what licensing it covers, check the venue's rules and check local noise rules with your state or local licensing agency.

Karaoke rental questions

Does a karaoke provider need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask the provider what music licensing its library covers, and check whether the venue needs its own permit for entertainment.

How many songs are in a typical library?

Libraries vary a lot. Ask the provider how many songs it has and check whether your must-sing songs are included before you book.

Can the provider run the karaoke for us?

Many providers offer a host. Ask whether the host runs the queue, how long the host stays and whether the host is included in the price.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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