Singa Business - AV specifications and installation

Table of contents (click to jump):

What every setup needs
Requirements by concept

Connecting audio and video
Cable runs and signal quality
Mounting the iPad
Before handover

What every setup needs

Every Singa location needs the following. In a multi-room venue, that means one set per room.

iPad

Singa Business runs on iPad. Supported models running iPadOS 26 or later:

iPad (8th, 9th, 10th generation and A16)
iPad Air (3rd, 4th generation, M1, M2, M3 and M4)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th generation)
iPad Pro (M1, M2, M4 and M5)

For new installs, buy a current iPad equipped with a USB-C port. Storage requirements vary by venue, mainly depending on the internet connection. See the below section for more.

Offline storage

Songs available in offline mode, by storage size:

Storage	Songs offline
64GB	7,500 to 10,000
128GB	15,000 to 20,000
256GB	30,000 to 40,000
512GB	60,000 to 80,000
1TB	over 100,000

Storage matters less where the internet connection is reliable. Choose a higher capacity where it is not, or where the venue runs events that saturate the connection.

64GB is still common on the used market, particularly the iPad 10th generation and iPad Air 4th and 5th generation. Check the configuration, not just the model, where offline mode matters.

Network

Wi-Fi that reaches the iPad's final mounted position reliably, not just the room as a whole. We strongly recommend a separate SSID for the main Singa iPad, keeping it off the guest and POS networks. Check signal strength at the mount point before fixing anything to the wall. Supported USB docks/hubs can also benefit from a wired Ethernet connection.

Power

Mains power at the iPad's final position. Use a 30W USB-C power supply at minimum, 45 to 65W for a permanent install, with a quality USB-C cable. The charger powers the iPad and everything connected through the hub. The iPad runs all evening and cannot be taken down to charge.

Mounting

See Mounting the iPad. This is the part most often left until last and it constrains everything else, so plan it before drilling.

Screen(s)

A TV or projector with an HDMI input. No specific model required. Position it so the singer can read lyrics from where they will stand, and check the viewing distance at the far end of the room.

The iPad is usually quite good at selecting the optimal display settings automatically. To be on the safe side, be prepared to amend settings from the Singa app -> Settings -> Display, and the TVs own settings (e.g. disable sleep mode).

Sound

Speakers or an existing PA
A mixer or amplifier, from a simple four channel analogue mixer upwards
Two or more microphones, plus a spare

Wired or wireless depends on how much the singer moves and who is around to look after the kit. Wired costs less, needs no batteries and cannot walk out of the building, and it suits a fixed stage position where the cable is out of the walking path.
Wireless is the safer choice where singers move around, and anywhere guests are seated close to the performing spot, since a cable across a small floor is a trip hazard. Wireless also needs a battery routine and somewhere to put the receivers.

Getting audio and video out of the iPad

Video reaches the screen over HDMI. Audio has to reach the sound system separately. How depends on the iPad and the size of the install. See Connecting audio and video.

Cables

HDMI from the iPad's adapter or hub to the screen (2x HDMI if running through an audio extractor), and audio to the sound system, usually 3.5mm to RCA. XLR for wired mics. Keep HDMI runs under 10 metres, or see Cable runs and signal quality.

How guests add songs

This determines how many devices you fit and where. There are three ways to get a song into the queue.

These methods can be mixed and matched in any concept. Confirm which the venue wants before install, so power, Wi-Fi and mounting are planned for the right number of devices. More details on How to request songs on Singa Pro.

The main iPad. Connected to the big screen(s) and sound system. Every setup has one.
A Discovery Station. A second iPad for guests to browse song selection and send requests. Needs only mains power, Wi-Fi and a secure mount.
Party Mode. A QR code on the screen lets guests request from their own phones. No extra hardware needed.

That gives two device layouts:

Dual-device. The main iPad sits behind the bar or at a KJ/DJ station where staff can manage it, and guests use a Discovery Station and/or the Party Mode QR code. Recommended for larger or mixed-group spaces, since it keeps guests away from the queue, volume, pitch and tempo.
Single-device. The main iPad is guest-accessible and runs in Kiosk Mode. Suits smaller or controlled spaces where queue interference is unlikely.

Requirements by concept

These sections cover what differs by concept. Everything above applies to all four.

Concept	iPads	Screens	Mics
Self-service open stage	2 (dual-device recommended)	Room-facing, often a second facing the singer	Wired or wireless
Hosted open stage	1 at the host position, Discovery Station optional	Room-facing, often a second facing the singer	Wired typical, plus a host mic on its own channel
Private or multi-use space	1 or 2	Room-facing, often an existing screen	Wireless
Dedicated karaoke space	1 per room	1 or 2 per room	Wireless

Self-service open stage karaoke

Karaoke available on demand in a public space, with no host managing the queue.

Dual-device is strongly recommended here. Larger and mixed-group spaces get queue jumping, deleted songs and guests changing settings otherwise. Single-device with Kiosk Mode works in smaller or controlled spaces.
Screen visible from the stage position. A second screen facing the room is common so the audience can follow.
Wired or wireless. Wired suits a fixed stage position and avoids batteries and walk-offs with no staff nearby. Wireless where singers roam. Two minimum, plus a spare.
The guest-facing device is the most exposed in the venue. Use a lockable enclosure, not a simple stand.

Hosted open stage karaoke

A host manages the queue.

Main iPad at the host position, within reach of the mixer. Staff-operated, so a stand or simple wall mount is enough, and it still needs to stay powered through a full shift.
Guests can still send requests by Discovery Station, Party Mode, or both, with the host keeping control of the queue. Confirm whether the venue wants this, since a Discovery Station needs its own power, Wi-Fi and mount.
Screen visible from the stage. A monitor facing the host helps them see what is coming next.
Wired works well here, since the host is present and the stage position is fixed. Wireless if the venue wants singers to roam. Either way, a dedicated host mic on its own mixer channel.

Self-service in a private or multi-use space

A function room or similar, that mixes karaoke and other activities.

Either device layout works. Dual-device where groups are large or mixed, single-device with Kiosk Mode for a room used by one booking at a time.
Guest-operated iPad mounted off to the side. Not next to the screen, and not in the singer's line of sight to it.
The room usually has a screen and audio already, so the question is how Singa shares them. Expect to need an HDMI switch or a spare input on the existing system. Check whether the room's audio is an amplifier and ceiling speakers rather than active speakers.
Confirm who changes the input when the room switches use. If that is venue staff with no AV background, a one-button switch is worth the cost.
The mount needs to survive the room being rearranged for other events.

Dedicated karaoke space

Karaoke rooms ("booths") where guests operate everything. Using a secondary tablet or QR code for song requests is uncommon in a private bookable space, but fully viable e.g. for bigger spaces.

One full set per room: iPad, screen(s), audio, mount.
Guest-operated from the moment they walk in, so use a lockable enclosure and keep cabling inaccessible.
Wireless mics. In a private room with guests moving between seating and the screen, a mic cable on the floor is a trip hazard. Budget for replacements rather than cables.
With several rooms, a centralised HDMI matrix is worth considering for the video, especially where cable runs are long. Note that microphones are local to each room, so decide early whether audio is mixed centrally at the rack or locally in the room. Local mixing keeps mic runs short and, if desirable, lets guests control their own mic volume. See Pro AV.

Connecting audio and video

Four approaches, most common first.

Approach	Best for	Also needs
USB-C hub or dock	Most single-room installs	Hub with HDMI out, charging passthrough and 3.5mm out
Apple HDMI adapter	Apple-only hardware, or a Lightning iPad	HDMI audio extractor (Lightning iPads can use the headphone jack)
Pro AV matrix switcher	Multi-room, long runs, existing AV rack	Structured cabling and an integrator
Apple TV and AirPlay	Last resort where cabling is impossible	Apple TV plus an audio extractor

1. USB-C hub or dock

The standard choice for single-room and single-screen installs.
Full wiring: Installation Guide for using a USB-C Hub or Dock

Requires a hub with HDMI output, USB-C charging passthrough and a 3.5mm audio output. Reliable brands include HyperDrive, Satechi and Belkin.

Compact hub or mains-powered dock? The difference that matters is where it sits. A compact hub has a short fixed cable and lives right against the iPad, which is fine when the mount has depth or a cutout for it. A mains-powered dock takes a detachable host cable, so it can sit in a back box, under a counter or in a rack, with only a cable running to the iPad. Docks also hold up better in continuous use. Suggested models:

Hub:
- HyperDrive 4-in-1 USB-C Hub for iPad
- HyperDrive Next 10- or 11-in-1 Hub
- Belkin USB-C 7-in-1 Multiport Hub
Dock:
- Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock
- HyperDrive Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

These are suggested models. Models from other trusted brands can usually be put to good use as well.

Driving more than one screen. An iPad outputs a single external video signal. A hub with two HDMI ports, such as the HyperDrive Next USB-C Hub, sends that same signal to both, which is what you want when several screens should all show the lyrics view. An HDMI splitter or a matrix switcher does the same job. What is not possible is different content on each external screen, since there is only one signal to work with. Singa's own split, with the queue and search on the iPad and lyrics on the screens, comes from the app rather than from the hub.

2. Apple HDMI adapter

For venues that prefer Apple hardware, or where an iPad's port dictates it.
Full wiring: Installation Guide when using Apple HDMI Adapters

Which adapter for which iPad? If there is a supported iPad already, check its charging port.

Lightning takes the Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter, and audio runs from the headphone jack OR HDMI audio extractor.
USB-C takes the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, plus an HDMI audio extractor for audio.

If there is no existing iPad for the project, choose a USB-C model for stability and longer support.

Known-good HDMI audio extractors: Lindy HDMI Audio Extractor 4K or Swissonic HDMI 2.0 Audio Extractor.

3. Pro AV: centralised HDMI matrix with audio breakout

Recommended for multi-room or multi-zone venues, permanent installs and 24/7 operation.

Every iPad's HDMI output runs back to a rack-mounted HDMI matrix switcher. The matrix routes any iPad to any display and de-embeds the audio, analogue or digital, to a mixer or DSP. For runs over 10 m (35 ft), use HDBaseT or HDMI over fibre.

Use it when:

The venue already has an AV rack and structured cabling
The iPad and screen are more than 10 m apart
Several sources need routing to several screens, or one room's output also needs to show on a bar display
The venue runs continuously and consumer adapters would become a consumable

It costs the most of the supported setups: rack space, hardware per room and integrator time. In return you get hardware built to run permanently, in a rack rather than behind a wall mount, and long cable runs handled properly. The connections most likely to be disturbed are at the iPad end and stay in the room either way, so use a locking mount or cable retention there.

Where does the mixer sit? Each room's mics plug into a mixer, so decide early whether that mixer is in the rack or in the room.

In the rack: the iPad only needs a digital AV adapter for HDMI. The matrix breaks out the audio to the mixer.
In the room: the audio has to reach the local mixer. Either take it from the HDBaseT receiver's audio output, or use a USB-C hub with a 3.5mm output (iPads with a headphone jack can use that directly).

Either way, the iPad needs charging at the mount, so use an adapter or dock with power passthrough.

4. Wireless, Apple TV and AirPlay

Not recommended as the primary setup for singing. AirPlay lag of 0.5 to 1 second affects karaoke sync. Use it only where cable routing is genuinely impossible.
Full wiring: Installation Guide when using an Apple TV

Requires an Apple TV (HD or 4K) and an HDMI audio extractor. Connect the Apple TV to the extractor, HDMI to the display and audio to the sound system, then mirror from the iPad's Control Centre. Give the Apple TV a wired network connection where possible.

Cable runs and signal quality

Applies to every wired setup above. Signal loss occurs over HDMI runs longer than 10 metres (35 ft). For longer distances:

Active HDMI fibre cables, or
HDMI over CAT6 extenders (HDBaseT), or
HDMI boosters and repeaters

Use pro-grade cabling for permanent and larger installations.

Mounting the iPad

The most common thing left until last, and it constrains the rest of the install. Wall mounts are available from places such as Bouncepad, Maclocks and Amazon.

Keep the iPad away from the big screen. A guest-facing iPad is a gathering point. People stand at it, lean over it and take their time. Mounted next to the TV, that queue ends up between the singer and the lyrics, and in front of the audience. Put it to the side, out of the sightline between the singer's position and the screen, and out of the performance area. Keep it clear of walkways and bar service positions for the same reason.

Staff device: a stand or simple wall mount is enough. It needs to hold the iPad at a readable angle with the hub cable exiting cleanly.

Guest device: a lockable enclosure with tamper-resistant fixings. Anything guests touch will eventually be pulled, spilled on, or walked off with. Use Guided Access mode to lock Singa or the Discovery Station to the foreground on their respective iPads.

Plan where the hub goes. Most iPad hubs have a fixed short cable and sit right against the device. The iPad mounts flat to the wall and then the hub, HDMI and power cables have nowhere to go. Specify an enclosure with depth or a cutout, a recess, or a back box before drilling.

Charging has to pass through the mount. The iPad runs all evening and cannot be unmounted to charge.

Height: around 110 to 120cm to the centre of the iPad display suits standing use and stays reachable from a seated position.

Strain relief at the connector. The iPad end of the cable takes every tug.

Before handover

Test the full setup before live use, at performance volume
Confirm Wi-Fi signal at the mounted position, not just in the room
Label cables, ports and adapters for venue staff
Fit strain relief on installed HDMI connections
Leave backup adapters and extractors with the venue
Walk venue staff through what to check first if audio or video drops
With a locked iPad enclosure, staff need to find a safe space to keep the keys
Confirm Guided Access is enabled on every guest-facing iPad

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