Karaoke

[Cockney_si]

Am just starting a singing hobby and was wondering if there was any computer software or equipment that could be used to mute lyrics or tone them down so I could make my own Karaoke backing tracks of albums I have legally paid for?

Or if not is there any really good sounding backing disks I could purchase?

[Just a bit]

I think you could use a graphic equalizer, but I don't have any experience of how effective this would be.

I'm sure you could find others on a search, but e.g.,

http://www.blazeaudio.com/categories/karaoke.html

p.s. there's usually loads of karaoke cds down the market - or you could ask the organisers in any pub where they get theirs...

[Shoe_Lover]

Hi,

My partner is a singer on the clubs and I know that he uses a website called Ameritz, they are based in Liverpool but they do lots of backing tracks, good sounds as well. You can listen to them online too.

There website is http://www.ameritz.co.uk/

Hope this helps,

Also he uses a downloading programme called Limewire (you used to be able to get it from www.download.com for free but not 2 sure now) Anyways, he often downloads Karoke tracks off there, they sound good too.

Hope I helped!

[spudqueen]

You can buy software to do this eg http://www.make-your-own-karaoke.com I've not tried this (but I will be doing so shortly!!). You can also buy dedicated hi-fi equipment (eg dixons, goodmans) that will do the job in one fell swoop - put in your CD and you can mute the vocals Also if you google 'karaoke hi-fi' you will find loads of links.

You can alsouse midi files as backing tracks provided you have a decent keyboard or sequencer to play them through. Most pc cards are absolutely rubbish for playing midi files through.

If you really want to take your singing seriously get a decent microphone such as the Shure SM58 (pretty much the industry standard), and a digital reverberation unit (eg Yamaha) - any music shop can kit you out with this.

Finally, try to choose songs that are in your key and match your tone, and don't let anyone put you off.

Mr Spudqueen