Conventional karaoke uses visual prompting to enable spontaneous sing-along without prior memorization of lyrics. This means that the blind and visually-impaired are largely excluded from participation. But Troubadour Enterprises has invented a recording method and play-system for acoustically-prompted karaoke. This is the Acoustiprompter. Through a four-track play system with headphones, the Acoustiprompter provides stereo music, optional lead-guide vocal, and optional, user-controlled acoustical prompting of the lyrics - which is to say that the words, rapidly spoken and appropriately phrased, are delivered just before they are needed so that the blind and visually-impaired can easily, naturally, and enjoyably participate in an otherwise unavailable recreational activity. In the first phase of this research, studies of volunteers using a singing booth set up to simulate the Acoustiprompter experience will be carried out with the cooperation of the Overbrook School for the Blind, in Philadelphia, to measure learning curve, ease of use; acceptability, and participant satisfaction. The objective of this Phase I research is to test the efficacy of the Acoustiprompter system and the feasibility of its commercial development.Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:It is anticipated that the Phase I study will pave the way for development of a line of user-friendly, convenient, inexpensive, personal, portable cassette-players and mini CD-players that apply the Acoustiprompter systern, together with dedicated software. No new technological development will be needed. The technology in existing players currently retailing from $99 to $190 can easily and inexpensively be redesigned and adapted to the Acoustiprompter system through the addition of preamplification and mixing components. The Phase II objective win be to produce and test a finished prototype, hardware and software, of the Acoustiprompter Player, which, it is hoped, will become a staple of the personal, portable cassette/CD market.
