CD+G and Karaoke CDs: What They Are and How to Play Them

If you have ever found a disc labeled CD+G at a thrift store or in an old karaoke collection, you have probably wondered what the extra letter means. CD+G stands for Compact Disc plus Graphics. It is a real, standardized format that hides simple graphics in the subcode data of a normal audio CD, which is why the disc still plays as audio in almost any player.

What CD+G Actually Is

A standard audio CD stores two channels of 16-bit audio plus a stream of subcode data used for track numbers and timing. CD+G uses part of that subcode to carry low-resolution graphics and text, usually lyrics that change color as the song progresses. The audio is ordinary CD audio, so a CD+G disc sounds the same as any other CD when played on a player that ignores the graphics.

The graphics are basic by modern standards: a limited palette, blocky text, and no video. That is a limitation of the format, not a fault in the disc. The appeal is that the lyrics are synchronized and the file is still a Red Book audio CD.

How to Tell If a Disc Is CD+G

• The label or spine usually says CD+G, CDG, or karaoke.
• The disc may include a printed track list with a lyric sheet.
• Played on a normal CD player, it sounds like instrumental versions of songs.
• Played on a CD+G-capable machine, graphics appear on a connected screen.

What Can Play CD+G

Dedicated karaoke machines

Most home karaoke machines with a video output support CD+G. They read the subcode and draw the lyrics on a TV. This is the simplest route if you already own one, and the remote usually includes key change and vocal channel controls.

Some DVD players

A number of DVD players include CD+G decoding, but it is not universal. Check the manual for “CD+G” or “karaoke” in the supported formats list. If the player has a karaoke mode and microphone inputs, there is a good chance it supports the format.

Computers

With a CD/DVD drive and the right software, a computer can read the graphics and display them on screen. This is useful for building a digital karaoke library, but it requires more setup than a standalone machine.

CD+G vs DVD Karaoke

DVD karaoke discs offer full-motion video, multiple audio tracks, and better menus. CD+G is older and simpler, but it has two advantages: the discs are cheap and plentiful secondhand, and the audio is standard CD quality. If you already have a DVD player with karaoke features, our guide to playing karaoke on a standard DVD player covers that path in detail.

Getting Better Sound

Karaoke lives or dies on the vocal mix. A few basics make a big difference:

• Use a wired microphone if possible; wireless models add noise and latency.
• Keep the microphone gain low enough that loud notes do not distort.
• Place speakers ahead of the singer, not behind, to reduce feedback.
• Use the player’s key change function rather than straining your voice.

If you are running a small party or a venue, a mixer gives you far more control than the microphone input on a DVD player. Our guide to connecting a CD player to a mixer or PA system explains the cabling.

Collecting CD+G Discs

Secondhand karaoke discs are often sold in lots, and many are CD+G. Check for scratches before buying, since the graphics live in the same data layer as the audio and a damaged disc may play with glitches. Store them upright, away from heat, and keep a spare player that supports the format if karaoke is a regular activity.

CD+G is a small, slightly odd corner of the CD world, but it is a useful one. A good CD player with a line output, a microphone input, and a screen is all you need for a living-room singalong. Explore Perladar’s CD players to find a model that fits your setup.