Karaoke Forums

Hi, after searching the forums and the net, I cannot find a solution to my particular problem. I am new here and after being advised to use Goldwave which I really like, I have recorded my 1st song.

My problem is the backing track sounds really really tinny I play the backing file on my comp and sing with it and record at the same time.

Even before I add echo or anything, just the music sounds tinny on the recording. What am I doing wrong?

I only sing for fun, so it does'nt have to be proffesional, I am far from that! . It's just I have'nt noticed anyone elses subs sounding like this. So I guess there must be a way.

Thanks for any help!

Tina, let's first determine how you get your music track in your recording software. What exactly is the process you go through?

Hey Allstar, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! by the way

The song I have recently put on (crazy), I done using the AOL karaoke straight from the internet site. I just press play on the karaoke track and record on goldwave and I'm off . I also have some tracks which are with software for a site my daughter sometimes sings on.

I am currently waiting on delivery of a pc karaoke disc thingy(lol how professional am I) I purchased off ebay, that I will have to tackle when it arrives HeHe.

Thanks for your reply
Tina x

Maybe your sound card is not up to snuff. Most computers come with lousy sound cards. I had a similar problem but when I found out that a really good sound card can cost $200.00 I bought an "Iriver" MP3 player instead. It has a "line in" port so I can record directly into the MP3 player from my Karaoke amplifier. The quality is great.
Hope this helps.

Why TYVM


Does the song sound tinny when you listen to it from AOL as well? I take it that the song from AOL play through your PC speakers?

The track does'nt sound tinny when I listen to it straight from Aol Karaoke, only after I have recorded and listen back to it, and Yes its playing through my pc speakers.

OK, let's start over. When you record it from AOL, it sounds good. Ssave that file somewhere on your HDD without your vocals recorded on top of it. Once saved, play it back with the normal windows media player, how does it sound then? Tinny or normal?
This is a brain scratcher

Awww allstar I'm sorry to have you scratching your brain on your birthday of all days .

Ok I'm not recording the backing until I actually sing, so I'm doing it all in one recording.

When I say it sounds ok I mean it sounds good when I just press play on the AOL karaoke and listen to the backing track, then when I have recorded myself singing with that playing on the pc at the same time, then I listen to it, it sounds tinny.

If I record just the track through my mic, it sounds tinny then aswell when I play it back, I've tried doing that with both audacity and goldwave.

But never mind, don't put yourself out, I thought it was probably gonna be something really obvious that I'd just missed.. I appreciate you trying to help.

Thanks Tina x

The problem is likely you're recording the music through the mic. Record it directly from the site into the software and then add the vocal tracks.

It difficult because you're wanting to record from two devices at the same time - your voice from the mic and the music coming in from the site.

Some soundcards will allow the mic to come through as long as it's not muted. Something you could try is making sure the mic isn't muted and that when you talk in it it comes through the speakers. Get a stereo headphone splitter and plug your speakers into one side. Plug a short 1/8" stereo M plug -> 1/8" stereo M plug from the other headphone jack on the splitter into the line in jack on your computer. Record the line in.

The problem is that this 'might' cause a feedback loop so be prepared to unplug it if that happens.

Another possibility is to record your vocals alone (from the mic) and then record the music. You'll have to splice the two together (not difficult w/ Audacity if you can get the timing to match up).

It's just a couple thoughts, but tinny sound could also be caused by EQ being applied. Often in the sound settings there is a tone control that 'might' be causing part of this. Try checking within the recording settings.

Oh My, this has all gone over my head now. I am such a novice at this stuff, I will save your suggestions in a file KaraokeMiester, and if I ever feel like I am getting more knowledgable I will try it out, so thanks for your time. I will however check out the EQ thing on the settings.

I think I will just go on as I am for now . I really thought or was hoping it was gonna be something simple. But I am really not familiar with all this techy stuff .

Your help is greatly appreciated!
xxx