KaraokeHost Support
Help and support information for KaraokeHost and KaraokeHost MP4 Creator.
KaraokeHost Support
KaraokeHost 2.2 is a native macOS app for running karaoke with your own compatible karaoke files and for managing an external Audience Display with Break Scenes, Sequences, automatic mixed-media Break Scene playlists, Filler Music, announcements, Countdown, and other event presentation tools.
KaraokeHost 2.2 requires macOS 15.0 or later.
Contact Support
For help with KaraokeHost, email:
When requesting help with KaraokeHost, please include:
- Your Mac model
- Your macOS version
- The KaraokeHost version and build number
- The type of karaoke file or Break Scene media involved
- Whether you are using an external TV, projector, adapter, or HDMI splitter
- Whether the media is stored locally, on an external drive, or in a cloud-synced folder
- A short description of the issue
Supported Karaoke File Types
KaraokeHost supports:
- MP3/CDG karaoke files
- ZIP files containing matching MP3/CDG files
- MP4 karaoke video files
Key change and tempo control are available for MP3/CDG, ZIP/CDG, and MP4 karaoke songs.
KaraokeHost 2.2 Notes
KaraokeHost 2.2 integrates Break Scene playlist creation and management directly into Break Scenes > Playlists. Playlists can contain videos, still images, and Sequences and can advance automatically through mixed media.
Videos advance when they finish, still images advance after the playlist's Still Duration, and Sequences advance after the complete Sequence finishes. Loop Playlist can return automatic playback to the beginning. With looping off, automatic advancement ends after the final playable item and the final scene remains displayed.
Unavailable entries remain in a Break Scene playlist and are skipped during playback rather than being removed. If the media later becomes available again, the existing playlist entry can be used again.
Version 2.2 also makes it easier to organize visual content. Supported photos and MP4 videos can be imported directly into a Collection, Collections can be added directly to Break Scene playlists, and selected scenes in Library or Type views can be added to an existing or new playlist.
Filler Music playlists, improved live Filler controls, and removable/restorable Included Break Scene media continue to be available.
Does KaraokeHost Include Karaoke Songs?
No. KaraokeHost does not include karaoke songs, music downloads, streaming, cloud song access, or music licensing.
Users provide their own compatible karaoke files and are responsible for any permissions or licenses required for their use.
What Is Load Catalog CSV?
Load Catalog CSV is an optional advanced tool for users who have a separate catalog file that can help identify songs with unclear or code-style filenames.
Most users do not need to use it. It does not add songs, provide karaoke files, provide downloads, or provide music licensing.
A useful catalog CSV normally comes from a song list you already have, an export from other karaoke software, a spreadsheet you created, or catalog information that matches your own collection.
Audience Display Help
KaraokeHost is designed to support an external Audience Display for TV or projector use.
For the best hosting setup, use an extended desktop so the KaraokeHost controls remain on the Mac while audience content appears on the external display.
Audience Display behavior depends on your Mac, display settings, adapters, HDMI cables, splitters, TV, projector, and connected hardware.
Break Scenes, Sequences, and Playlists
Break Scenes can be still images, standalone videos, or Sequences. They can be shown on the Audience Display independently of karaoke playback.
Sequences can contain still images and videos. Image duration, transitions, and looping behavior can be adjusted.
Break Scene playlists can combine videos, still images, and Sequences into an automatic Audience Display presentation. Videos advance when finished, still images use the playlist's Still Duration, and Sequences advance after the complete Sequence finishes.
Playlist creation and management are integrated directly into Break Scenes > Playlists. Controls are available for creating playlists, adding scenes, renaming and deleting playlists, removing and reordering items, setting Still Duration, and choosing whether automatic playback loops.
With Loop Playlist enabled, automatic playback returns to the beginning after the final playable item. With looping off, automatic advancement ends after the final playable item and the final scene remains displayed.
Unavailable playlist entries remain in place and are skipped during playback. Manual Next advances to the next playable item and does not wrap from the end of the playlist back to the beginning.
Embedded audio from videos inside a Sequence is intentionally muted. Use Filler Music if you want a soundtrack for a Sequence. Standalone video Break Scenes can use their own embedded audio.
Collections and Playlist Organization
While viewing a Collection, use Add Photos or Videos… to import supported photos or MP4 videos directly into the Collection. Imported media also becomes normal My Scenes content.
To add a Collection to a Break Scene playlist, right-click the Collection and choose Add Collection to Playlist, then choose an existing playlist or create a new one. Currently available Collection scenes are added, and scenes already in the destination playlist are not duplicated.
You can also select one or more scenes in normal Library or Type views and right-click the selection to choose Add to Playlist. Use Command-click to select individual scenes or Shift-click to select a range. Multiple selected scenes are added in displayed order, and existing playlist entries are not duplicated.
Included Break Scene Media
Included Break Scene media is optional. It can be downloaded when you want to use it, removed from local storage to reclaim space, and downloaded or restored again later.
Removing Included Media does not remove its references from Break Scene playlists. Those entries remain in place but are unavailable and are skipped during playback until the media is restored.
Filler Music and Playlists
Filler Music can play background music between singers and can also provide a soundtrack for still-image Break Scenes and Sequences.
KaraokeHost lets you create Filler Music playlists and choose an available category or playlist as the Filler Source. Playlists can be created, renamed, deleted, reordered, and updated by adding or removing tracks.
The main-window Filler Music controls include Play Filler / Fade Out, Next, Duck / Restore, Shared Volume, Shuffle / In Order, Auto-Play, Source, and Manage Playlists.
Auto-Play and Auto Filler are different. Auto-Play continues an active Filler session to another track. Auto Filler determines whether KaraokeHost automatically starts Filler at the appropriate time between karaoke activity.
Common Troubleshooting Steps
If the Audience Display does not appear correctly
- Confirm the TV or projector is connected and powered on.
- Check your Mac’s display settings.
- Confirm your HDMI adapter, cable, or splitter is working.
- Use Display > Reset Display Windows if the display window is misplaced or appears black.
- Try unplugging and reconnecting the display cable.
If a Break Scene does not appear
- Confirm the Audience Display is connected and active.
- Confirm the scene's media file is still available.
- If it is one of your own scenes, confirm the original file has not been moved, renamed, deleted, or left cloud-only.
- If the media is on an external drive, confirm the drive is connected.
- If it is an Included Scene, confirm the Included Media is currently downloaded.
- Try another Break Scene to determine whether the issue is limited to one item.
If a Break Scene playlist does not play as expected
- Open Break Scenes > Playlists and confirm the playlist contains the Break Scenes or Sequences you expect.
- Confirm media used by your own scenes is still available.
- If the playlist uses Included Scenes, confirm the Included Media is downloaded if you expect those entries to play.
- Remember that unavailable entries remain in the playlist but are skipped during playback.
- Check the Still Duration if still images remain on screen longer or shorter than expected.
- Check whether Loop Playlist is enabled if you expect automatic playback to return to the beginning.
- With Loop Playlist off, automatic playback ends after the final playable item and leaves the final scene displayed.
- Manual Next does not wrap from the end of the playlist back to the beginning.
- Try an individual playlist item to determine whether the issue is limited to one scene or Sequence.
If a Sequence has no video sound
This is expected. Videos inside a Sequence are visual-only and their embedded audio is muted by design. Filler Music can provide the soundtrack. Standalone video Break Scenes can use their own embedded audio.
If a Saved Show cannot find media
- Reconnect any external drive that contained the original media.
- Confirm files have not been renamed, moved, or deleted.
- Confirm cloud-synced files are downloaded and available locally.
If a karaoke song does not appear or play correctly
- Confirm the file type is supported.
- For MP3/CDG songs, make sure the MP3 and CDG files are a matching pair.
- For ZIP files, make sure the ZIP contains matching MP3 and CDG files.
- For MP4 files, test the file in QuickTime Player to confirm the file itself plays correctly.
- Try another file to determine whether the issue is file-specific.
If key change or tempo control does not behave as expected
Key change and tempo control are available for MP3/CDG, ZIP/CDG, and MP4 karaoke songs. If a setting does not seem to apply correctly, stop playback, confirm the song type, adjust the key or tempo again, and try playing the song from the queue.
If Filler Music does not appear or play as expected
- Confirm your Filler Music folder is selected.
- Confirm the folder contains MP3 files.
- Confirm files are either directly inside the Filler Music folder or inside category folders.
- If the folder is on an external drive, confirm the drive is connected.
- Check the selected Filler Source if you are using a category or playlist.
- If using a playlist, confirm it contains tracks that are still available.
- Check whether Shuffle or In Order is selected if playback order is not what you expected.
- Remember that Auto-Play continues an active Filler session, while Auto Filler controls whether Filler starts automatically between karaoke activity.
Media and Permissions
KaraokeHost does not provide songs, stock advertising, promotional media, or music licensing. If you use your own photos, videos, advertising, sponsor messages, or promotional material in Break Scenes, Sequences, or Break Scene playlists, you are responsible for having the rights or permissions required for that use.
KaraokeHost MP4 Creator Support
KaraokeHost MP4 Creator is a macOS app for creating MP4 karaoke videos from user-provided audio, lyrics, timing, and background visuals.
For KaraokeHost MP4 Creator support, email:
When requesting help with KaraokeHost MP4 Creator, please include:
- Your Mac model
- Your macOS version
- The KaraokeHost MP4 Creator version and build number
- Whether the issue involves audio, lyrics, timing, background visuals, preview, saving, or MP4 export
- A short description of the issue
Does KaraokeHost MP4 Creator include songs or lyrics?
No. KaraokeHost MP4 Creator does not include songs, lyrics, music downloads, streaming, cloud song access, lyric lookup, or music licensing.
Users provide their own audio, lyrics, images, and other materials and are responsible for any permissions or licenses required for their use.
Where are my files processed?
KaraokeHost MP4 Creator processes user-selected files locally on your Mac. It does not require an account or internet connection for normal app use, and it does not upload your audio, lyrics, images, project files, or exported videos to a KaraokeHost server.
Are my original audio and image files changed?
No. KaraokeHost MP4 Creator uses the audio, lyrics, images, timing, and settings you provide to create a project and export an MP4 video. Your original audio and image files are not modified.
What if a saved project cannot find my media?
Saved .khstudio projects preserve timing, text, design settings, and references to imported media. If an audio file or external background image is moved, renamed, deleted, disconnected, or left cloud-only, you may need to select it again.
For best reliability, keep project media in local folders on your Mac or on connected external drives rather than relying on cloud-only placeholders.
What does KaraokeHost MP4 Creator export?
KaraokeHost MP4 Creator exports standard MP4 video files. Every export opens the standard macOS Save panel so you can choose the filename and location.
If the chosen filename already exists, macOS asks for replacement confirmation. The existing MP4 remains in place unless the new export completes successfully.
Exported MP4 videos can be used with KaraokeHost or other compatible video players and karaoke applications.
Feature Requests
Suggestions for future improvements are welcome. Send feature ideas to:
Feature suggestions may help guide future updates, but not every request can be promised or added.