Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder

Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder is a desktop player, queue manager and vocal recorder for Windows and macOS. It is best suited to singers and karaoke hosts who keep their own files and need operator controls plus a separate lyrics screen. The free editions are useful for brief evaluation, while serious recording or professional operation requires a paid license.

Overview

Kanto handles MP3, MP3+CDG, WAV+CDG, KFN, MP4, AVI, WMV, KAR and MIDI files, making it practical for mixed local libraries. Its Live Performance view keeps the active track and upcoming selections visible, and drag-and-drop queueing reduces interruption between singers. A built-in browser can play online karaoke content such as YouTube videos, although local-file support remains the more clearly defined strength.

For MIDI playback, users can choose an external MIDI driver or device and import or replace SoundFont files. That flexibility matters to musicians who want to shape MIDI output rather than accept a fixed instrument set. The software also converts MIDI and KAR files to MP3 and can remove the melody track during conversion.

Key features

Performance workflow

Dual Display opens lyrics in a second window for a monitor or television while the computer stays available for queue and playback management. This is a sensible arrangement for a home singing station or a small hosted session. The feature improves presentation, but it does not remove the licensing restriction on professional use in the personal edition.

Recording and mixing

Kanto records microphone vocals over the playing song. Microphone and music volume, latency, echo and reverb controls give singers room to correct timing and tailor the vocal effect before saving a take. The controls are more useful than a basic player, but the free editions limit recording to one minute, so meaningful recording work belongs on a paid plan.

Queue and media conversion

Unlimited queues on paid editions make the software more suitable for longer sessions. MIDI-to-MP3 conversion is capped at one minute in both free editions, while paid versions remove that free-tier constraint. Melody removal can help create a less vocal-led backing track, particularly for MIDI or KAR material.

Pricing

Kanto uses a freemium model and offers a free trial. The free editions cost nothing. On Windows, the playlist maximum is five songs, recording is limited to one minute, MIDI-to-MP3 conversion is limited to one minute, and professional use is prohibited. The Mac free edition has the same five-song, one-minute recording and one-minute conversion caps; its plan does not state the Windows professional-use restriction.

Standard Version (Personal) costs $49, paid once for one PC and a three-year license with unlimited playlist songs. It is the economical choice for a personal Windows setup, but it excludes professional use. Full Version Professional for Mac costs $59.99, paid once for one Mac, a three-year license, unlimited playlists, recording, MIDI-to-MP3 conversion and free updates for three years.

Professional Version costs $69.95, paid once and covers three Windows PCs for three years. It adds professional use and a singer rotation list alongside unlimited playlist songs, making it the clearest fit for hosted events or venues using multiple machines. Standard and Professional licenses include guaranteed updates and priority support during their three-year term. Kanto offers a 7-day money-back guarantee under its conditions; service and transaction fees of 10% are non-refundable.

Platforms

Kanto is desktop software for Windows and macOS. Dual-display output requires a second monitor or TV, while MIDI output can use an external driver or device.

Who it's for

Choose Kanto if you maintain a varied karaoke file collection, want drag-and-drop singer rotation, or need vocal recording and MIDI conversion in one desktop application. The Mac Professional plan suits a single performance computer; Windows hosts needing several PCs and explicit professional rights should choose Professional. Casual users who only need occasional playback may find the five-song and one-minute free caps too restrictive for regular sessions.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad MP3, video, CDG, KAR and MIDI compatibility helps consolidate mixed libraries.
• Pro: Separate lyrics output keeps the audience screen clear while the operator manages the queue.
• Pro: Vocal effects, latency adjustment and melody removal provide useful control for recording and backing-track preparation.
• Con: Free editions restrict queues and recording/conversion to short limits, making them primarily evaluation versions.
• Con: The 49.00 USD Standard license is personal-only, so professional hosts must pay more.
• Con: Paid licenses last three years rather than providing perpetual license terms.

Alternatives

Browse the Karaoke Software directory for more choices. Pick KaraFun instead if you want Android, iOS or web access and a subscription model; its free tier includes songs and Premium previews, while Premium costs £7.99 a month. Karaoke 5 is preferable for mobile management, though its freeware edition omits synchronization and YouTube downloads. Choose OpenKJ for free, open-source hosting, or Encore Karaoke for an open-source player without an included song library. Karaoke Mugen, Nightingale and Performous are free alternatives with different platform coverage. Smule is the better direction for mobile and web duet participation, with free duet joining and a 19.99 USD monthly VIP pass.

Verdict

Kanto is a strong fit for a singer or host who wants broad local-file support, a managed queue, adjustable vocal recording and lyrics on a second screen. Choose the Professional edition for paid events or multiple Windows PCs; choose Standard only for personal use. Look elsewhere if you need a perpetual license, a genuinely unrestricted free edition or a primarily mobile karaoke service.