CDG stands for Compact Disc plus Graphic . It is in fact a file format present on disc (CD) and which contains music + graphics (eg song lyrics). The images in CDG files are typically low resolution graphics that are used with a backing track and burned to an audio CD. Karaoke programs commonly use these CDG files to display lyrics and graphics while playing a particular song.
This format is very popular especially in the USA, but also in Italy many use it. CDG discs contain music tracks in “Karaoke” format and with the lyrics synchronized with the respective songs. However, a user must necessarily use a Karaoke program to view the included graphics and play them simultaneously with the song.
When it comes to CDG, two cases must be distinguished:
Case 1. You have a CD + G disc
Case 2. You have files in CDG format
Below we will see how to open and play CDG files in both cases mentioned above.
How to Open and Play CDG Files
Case 1. You have a CD + G disc
If you have purchased a CD + G disc containing karaoke songs and do not know how to play them, we will explain how to do it below.
The first thing to do is to extrapolate the contents of the CD + G disc in order to have CDG + MP3 files for each music track on your computer. To do this you will need to download a free program called CDGRip. Click here to download it. Then install and run it.
CDGRip will automatically read the CD + G disc in your computer’s CD drive. In the central part of the program you will see the list of music tracks:
At this point click on the TAG ALL button to select all the tracks and select a destination folder . Then click on the green GO button and a window will open in which you will have to enter a number or text. For example, type “Song” and then click OK . The software will start extracting all the karaoke tracks from the disc and saving them in the destination folder.
In this folder you will find, for each song, two files: one in mp3 format (which is the music track) and one in cdg format (containing the graphics and lyrics of the song).
To play and open these files, simply read below.
Case 2. You have CDG + MP3 files
If you already have CDG + MP3 files, to open and play them just download and install the Kanto Karaoke program , one of the most popular software in this area.
After downloading and installing Kanto Karaoke Player on your PC you will see a screen like this:
To open and play your CDG + MP3 files, just click on OPEN file at the bottom right and select only the .cdg file. The program will also automatically read the related MP3 file and you can then listen to the backing track while the text and ” karaoke ” graphics will appear on the program’s central display
For a more optimal management of the music tracks it is advisable to create playlists or import all your cdg backing tracks into the program for a faster search for the songs to play.
Among the best features of Kanto Karaoke there is the one that allows you to activate the double screen , change the key of the cdg tracks, enlarge or reduce the text, and much more!
