If you're blind, and perform music, (karaoke), you need this essential hardware!

By DrewWeber, 27 September, 2020

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

If you perform music, for instance, playing guitar or keys with your hands, your unable to read braille lyrics in realtime to assist.

I've always struggled with remembering lyrics while performing, it's not that it can't be done, but I'm currently more focused as a studio artist, taking my written lyrics into the vocal booth, reading them as I track, getting the write take and being done with the song as it is the last step in my recording workflow. I am planning on starting to play local bars in 2021, or, whenever Covid-19 is done having it's way with the world. As I perform with a guitar, I needed a foot controled petal, that would feed the lyrics into a headphone through a screen reader, line by line, when I am ready for the next lyric.
In comes the: iKKEGOL PC USB Triple Foot Switch
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0753CSGTK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This device has three plastic spring loaded petals, is connected by USB to a computer, and though the software under Windows isn't totally accessible you can get the job done to setup your key bindings. I have all 3 petals set to press the down aro key when any of them are engaged. The device saves the key binding, and after you setup through Windows you are able to use this device on a Mac. Not on iOS .
Here are example lyrics to show how this works.
Mud In The Wind, by Drew Weber (to listen along with the song ask your smart assistant to play "Mud In The Wind by Drew Weber"

baby girl'how you been
It's been a long time
sense I heard your voice my friend
time has passed how are you?
just the same old hows the weather
hows the job what's new
I can't tell how you feel
your closed off
not sharing with me what is real
end the call I pretend
until the next time that I hear your voice again
siftin through these memmories,
I'm awake cause I can't sleep
they all surround me like
mud in the wind
got a smile on my face
like everythings okay
I hear it comin sand storm around the bend
rip up this town
take it all away
try and rebuild my heart some day
pick up the peaces'
all this mud in the wind
Copywrite 2019 Drew Weber (DKRecords).
Just as one might think, as I am done singing one lyric, I hit the petal to get the next, sing it, and the progression continues.
This also works well for singing covers or karaoke.
I hope this assists someone else along the way.

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Comments

By DPinWI on Sunday, October 25, 2020 - 00:04

I wish this worked with an iPhone. I don't typically take a computer to gigs. But my phone is always there.

I do mostly originals, and I find that if I write the words, I tend to remember them. For covers, I am more selective because I have to memorize the words.

I have more trouble remembering set lists, an usually have them open on my phone, so the next song is only a swipe away. A foot pedal would also be nice for this.

By Remy on Sunday, October 25, 2020 - 00:04

Something like this would actually have a wide variety of uses, even beyond the one you've demonstrated here. Great for that too though. It's too bad you can't use it for IOS though, since in your senario you'd probably want something smaller than a laptop to store your lyrics. I assume you could bind keystrokes too, and if so the possibilities are endless!

By JC on Sunday, October 25, 2020 - 00:04

Hi,
You mentioned the software that works on windows, however, I only have a mac. Can it be setup without the optional software? I do Karaoke and cover songs, so this might be a good use for me.

This pedal can only be set up, key bindings set tocome up under windows. After to set up it can be used on a Mac.

By DrewWeber on Sunday, October 25, 2020 - 00:04

Several hear a mentioning iOS or the iPhone, remember that there may be other controllers as well that can be bound to keystrokes and may be compatible with iOS. This is the one that works for me but if anyone else finds any other controllers that work for them for the same use case scenario don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments.

By Stoo on Friday, November 25, 2022 - 00:04

If you want to do something similar on Mac or IOS device, then what about Switch Control?

Switch Control is for those with motor issues to navigate Apple products with external switches and controllers.

I'm guessing there must be a foot switch that would work with Switch Control?

There are also Bluetooth foot peddles designed specifically for turning pages of sheet music on IOS devices, maybe something like that might work also?

Just my initial thoughts, not tested any of these theories!

By DrewWeber on Friday, November 25, 2022 - 00:04

sana, thank you, and apologies for the few days it's taken to get back to you.

Yes, you have the concept perfect! It is not matched to the beat, when the lyrics read out back to you through the headphone, it is at the press of the foot switch that the lyrics read out.

I am sorry, I am not sure how this may assist someone who does have considerable vision. I would respectfully say, if one can not see lyrics on the screen, this may assist them with getting the lyrical content to sing. :)
Have a nice day.