| Free karaoke backing tracks are something most | | | | I need. If you highlight a track you can then |
| singers might look for on the internet whether | | | | import the audio files one at a time from your |
| they wish to perform with them or use them | | | | desktop into Cubase. Do this for each track i.e. |
| simply as a practice tool. Sure there are sites that | | | | Track 1 will be Drums, Track 2 will be bass guitar |
| have them available but their quality and the | | | | etc. until you've added all of your tracks. |
| completeness of the song might leave something | | | | The volume levels will likely be OK but you can |
| to be desired. These days it's possible for you to | | | | tweak them at this point if you wish to have one |
| make your own tracks in the comfort of your | | | | instrument louder than the others or whatever. |
| own office and for not too much money, | | | | Now you can export this project to an audio |
| especially when compared to buying the tracks | | | | mixdown and save it either on your desktop or a |
| individually. | | | | folder somewhere. Wherever you like really. With |
| You need to have some kind of music editing | | | | Cubase you can save the songs in various |
| program at home and be a little bit familiar with | | | | formats, not just MP3. |
| MIDI files to make it happen but you can make | | | | There are other programs that you can use to |
| quality backing tracks at home that will rival | | | | make your own free karaoke backing tracks. I |
| anything you can get online, especially the free | | | | have also used Acid Music with limited success. |
| ones. | | | | Because I'm not that familiar with I find it to be |
| The program I use is called Cubase. It's a | | | | somewhat cumbersome but it does have really |
| software program that is MIDI compatible but | | | | good instrument sounds so it could be worth the |
| was originally designed for multi-track recording, | | | | effort. The only real issue I have with using Acid |
| which is to say, recording different instruments in | | | | Music is that when you need to adjust the tempo |
| a band at different times. Along with this program | | | | of the song you end up adjusting the pitch. With |
| I use what are known as VST instruments. VST | | | | Cubase I can adjust the two independently. |
| stands for virtual studio technology. You can | | | | You may think that a couple of hundred bucks is |
| acquire many of these instrument sounds for | | | | a bit of money to spend on a multi-track |
| free by simply "Googling" them. | | | | program. Acid Music is a cheaper way to do it but |
| The first thing I do is decide what song I wish to | | | | it does seem more difficult although it always |
| put together. I go to one of my favorite sites, to | | | | gets easier the more you do it. However if you |
| find the files I use. Their little robot will find and | | | | had to buy a repetoire of backing tracks then |
| return all kinds of MIDI files of varying length. I | | | | even at a few bucks per tune the cost would add |
| usually choose a file that is larger because I | | | | up quickly. The advantage to the multi-track |
| assume it to be more complete. You can search | | | | software is that you could not only record the |
| either by band or artist. I will check out several | | | | music but you could add your voice to it as well |
| files usually to ensure I'm using the one that will | | | | should you ever have the need for a demo of |
| give me the best results. Once I have selected a | | | | your voice. This is worth considering if you're |
| file I then save it in a file on my PC. | | | | thinking about pursuing a band or singing |
| The next step is to open up Cubase or whatever | | | | competition or something to that effect. |
| program you are using. I import the MIDI file into | | | | You may find that you have to "drag" your parts |
| Cubase and it usually opens up so that you can | | | | a little bit to make the musical timing line up. This |
| see all of the individual tracks. By highlighting each | | | | is because of "latency". Depending on how much |
| track I can assign an instrument to each one but | | | | memory you computer is using, Latency could be |
| with Cubase in particular I find that if you are | | | | a small problem. Basically it makes the parts |
| using a sound from one synth, that particular | | | | sound as if they're coming in a little late. If you |
| synth can only be used once, which is to say that | | | | have loads of memory then it shouldn't be an |
| you may not use it for another sound at the | | | | issue. |
| same time. If I require the use of use two | | | | This is the exact method I use to make backing |
| sounds from the same synth what I do is export | | | | tracks for the bands I play in and I use these |
| the track I want to an audio mixdown and save it | | | | tracks in live applications consistently. They sound |
| to my desk top. I can then go back and change | | | | great and I have even had soundmen comment |
| the synth to the other sound I wish to use. | | | | on the good quality of the tracks so it is possible |
| Usually I import each track to audio mixdown and | | | | to get quality free karaoke backing tracks |
| save them on my desk top one at a time. | | | | anytime you want. All you need is the right set of |
| When I have all of the tracks I require I open a | | | | tools. |
| new project and insert the number of tracks that | | | | |