LYRX Karaoke: Karaoke Hosting for Mac and Windows
LYRX is $79.95 karaoke hosting software from PCDJ for Mac and Windows. It plays MP3+G and video karaoke files, runs the singer rotation and takes song requests from singers' phones, and one purchase activates on three computers.
It's the PCDJ pick for a KJ on a MacBook, since Karaoki is Windows only. You get the rotation, the singer history and a full-screen lyrics output on the second display, without a monthly fee for the app.
Quick facts
- Version: 1.10.3, released December 21, 2023
- Developer: Digital 1 Audio, Inc. (PCDJ)
- Platforms: macOS 10.15 or higher, Windows 8.1, 10 and 11
- File types: MP3+G, zipped MP3+G, video karaoke (MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV and more)
- Price: $79.95 one-time, activation on three computers
- Trial: closes every 20 minutes, no feature limits, reopen as often as you like
- Refunds: none after 48 hours, and none once the software is activated
What we checked: combined Windows and Mac trial package (build 1.10.2) at 283 MB on the vendor's server, version 1.10.3 on the vendor's support page, and a price of $79.95 on the vendor's buy button on November 6, 2026. We didn't host a show with it.
Before you buy
LYRX hasn't had an update since December 2023. It remains on sale and PCDJ calls it its newest karaoke program, but if you're on the latest macOS, confirm it runs properly in the trial before paying. The trial package is build 1.10.2, one small update behind the current 1.10.3, which owners download from PCDJ's support page.
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The LYRX window on a Mac, as shown by the vendor: player and lyrics on top, the Party Tyme catalog in the middle and the singer rotation at the right.
Overview
LYRX began as a Mac program and later came to Windows. It uses technology from PCDJ's DEX DJ software, so it feels more like a modern DJ app than an older karaoke player. Its 32-bit audio engine and a browser that handles over 1 million files give it room for a large library.
Features
Singer rotation and history
LYRX manages the singer list and keeps each singer's songs and key changes in history, so you can send them straight back into rotation at the next show. The next three singers appear on the screens while the deck is idle, and an optional Singer Scroll runs upcoming names along the bottom of the lyrics.
KSR song requests from any phone
LYRX's KSR web app, free for owners, puts your songbook online for singers to browse and send requests that land in your rotation list. It works on any device with a browser and currently supports up to 100,000 songs, so the printed songbook can stay at home.
Key detection and tempo control
LYRX detects each song's musical key, so you see the new key when you step it up or down. Independent tempo control speeds up or slows down a track without changing pitch.
Lyrics output to a second screen
LYRX sends full-screen lyrics to a second display or projector while you work on the main one. Text, image and video overlays can show your logo or a message to the room.
Filler music and sample decks
LYRX's filler player fades in when a song ends and fades out when the next one starts. Six sample banks let you trigger jingles or drops, mapped to keys or a MIDI controller with LEARN.
Mic input and recording
LYRX takes the microphone from your audio interface and can record the mixed performance for singers to share. Macs without a dedicated audio card need a virtual audio device for mic support.
Song sources inside the app
LYRX can stream a Party Tyme Karaoke subscription with over 41,000 songs, licensed for public performance, at $49 a month after a 7-day trial. You can also buy single HD tracks for $2.49 from the built-in PartyTyme.net store.
Benefits
- Mac and Windows from one license. Swap laptops without buying again.
- No app subscription. Monthly costs only apply if you add a song service.
- No printed songbooks. KSR replaces them at no extra cost.
- A trial you can really use. Twenty-minute sessions are enough to run a test show.
Real-World Uses
- Mobile KJ on a MacBook: connect to a venue TV and run a full night from a laptop.
- Bar with a fixed PC: let customers request songs from their phones through KSR.
- New host with no library: start with Party Tyme and buy single tracks as requests come in.
- Party or fundraiser: show a sponsor's logo as an overlay between singers.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
LYRX suits professional and semi-pro KJs on either platform who want a modern, focused host program at a one-time price.
Skip it if you just want to sing at home: a consumer karaoke app with a built-in song catalog will be simpler. Skip it too if you also need to DJ, because DEX 4 does both. And if you want to see frequent updates before buying, LYRX's release pace will disappoint you.
Usage Guide
- Download the trial package, extract it and run the Mac or Windows installer.
- Add your karaoke folders to the browser, or nest them as favorites.
- Set extended display mode and send the lyrics to the second screen.
- Enable KSR in the options, sync your songbook and share your KSR ID with singers.
- Load singers and songs into the rotation, and load regular tracks into the side-list for filler music.
- After buying, click the unlock link at the top of the window, choose "I already bought it" and enter your code with Caps Lock on.
Where it falls short
- The refund rule is tight: nothing back after 48 hours, and nothing once activated.
- A roundup on mykaraoke.video warns of a steeper learning curve for casual hosts.
- The Party Tyme song service costs $49 a month, so two months of it pass the price of the app.
- Independent reviews are scarce, so you're relying on the trial more than on outside opinion.
What Users Say
We found few independent opinions of LYRX. The customer quote is from PCDJ's own site, so it's the vendor's selection.
A customer on PCDJ's site
"I had a genuinely great experience with LYRX Karaoke Software, and it’s rare these days to find both solid software and responsive customer support in one place." - DJ Dingo, LYRX KJ, 5/5. He adds: "They confirmed that my purchase was a true one-time payment, with no subscription required, which is a big win in a market flooded with recurring fees."
mykaraoke.video (January 2026)
This roundup treats LYRX and DEX 4 Pro together. In favor: "Robust singer rotation and request features simplify hosting." Against: "The best value is realized when combining the one-time software purchase with a monthly content subscription."
Music Industry How To
Victoria McAdam's roundup of hosting software says LYRX "offers an up-to-date user interface to satisfy the needs of contemporary karaoke DJs" and adds "Best of all, LYRX is compatible with Windows and Mac devices."
People like the one-time price and the Mac support. The main complaints are about learning it and the extra cost of a legal song library.
Comparisons
LYRX vs Karaoki
LYRX is $19 cheaper than PCDJ Karaoki, runs on Mac and plays video karaoke natively. Karaoki is Windows only, and its 14-day trial has no session limit.
LYRX vs DEX 4
DEX 4 at $149 adds beat mixing, four decks and video mixing on top of karaoke hosting. If you never mix, LYRX is the simpler and cheaper tool.
FAQs
Does LYRX include karaoke songs?
No. LYRX plays your own files, and songs come from the optional Party Tyme subscription or from single purchases in the built-in store.
Does LYRX need a monthly subscription?
No. LYRX is a one-time purchase. Only the Party Tyme song service is monthly.
Does LYRX run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. PCDJ lists LYRX as running on Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or M1, M2 and M3 chips with macOS 10.15 or higher.
Can one LYRX license be used on both Mac and Windows?
LYRX activates on three computers, and PCDJ sells one product for Mac and Windows. Confirm with PCDJ if you plan to mix platforms.
Are LYRX updates free?
PCDJ describes LYRX as including free upgrades, and one customer reports being told a five-year-old license could still upgrade at no cost.
Can I get a refund on LYRX?
LYRX has no refunds past 48 hours from purchase, and activated software is never refunded. Use the trial first.
System Requirements
- Mac: macOS 10.15 or higher, Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or M1/M2/M3, 4 GB RAM, dedicated video card or Intel 3000 series (or Iris) or better, 200 MB free
- Windows: Windows 8.1, 10 or 11, Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or AMD Phenom, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 series graphics or better, 200 MB free
Conclusion
LYRX is worth $79.95 for a working KJ who wants a modern host program on a Mac or PC with no app subscription. The free KSR request system alone saves the cost of a paid request service.
The main reason not to buy is that it hasn't been updated since December 2023, so test it on your own system first, and budget for songs if you don't own a library.
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