Karaoke Forums

I'm not sure - I haven't used the software you're referring to. I use Audacity and have no problems with it. The only drawback to Audacity is the fact that to create mp3's you have to download LAME (only a couple MB's, and installation is easy) and it doesn't play cd's. Audacity requires that you rip them to mp3 for playback within the application or play them externally to record. If the sound quality problem was with the karaoke setup it could explain a large part of your problem.

As for the new application, if it sounds good, works for you, and you're happy with it - use it! I look forward to hearing a submission from you soon!

Thanks K-meister for answering me so soon. I get so frustrated with machines when they don't do what I want 'em to do.

It sounds like you summed it up right....we did download the LAME thing. And I thought it was just my puter, but yeah that not playing cd's thing with the Audacity was a major pain. And yes my karaoke machine's output is low quality so I really need the cd's to be played in the puter.

The most interesting thing though is, why is the direct microphone singing so bad with Audacity and crystal clear with the Audio mp3 Editor?! I dunno.

I wish I knew what everyone else here was using...I'm gonna bug them til I find out. Too bad it's not standardized and easier. There's so many choices, variables, and wherewithall it makes me head spin.

Thanks still to Kurt and Snoopy for trying to help me too!!!

Tigger,
I'm glad that you are asking all the questions that have been running around in my head. I finally received my USB sound card this week for my laptop and ran into the RCA connections thing with my machine too.

I had kind of decided that I'd probably do it right from my laptop too instead of trying to go through the karaoke machine but haven't gotten any further.

I just wanted you to know that you're not alone & I'm glad someone else could ask all the questions I had =)

Yeah FoxeRox, the fact that it's so complicated and hard to figure out is frustrating. Maybe it's cuz everyone's computer is different. I hope you find out how to do it too.

Seeing as how this is such a common topic for everyone I'll try to put something together in the next month or so that outlines different options on recording.

Ripping the audio from the CD isn't hard, but if you want the words too it's a little more difficult (rip the disk, covert to mp3+cdg).

For your external setup, I'd try what I recommended above first to keep the learning curve low. I don't know why the sound quality isn't that great for your players. I've used a Ritech Progressive Scan DVD player that has terrible handling of the cdg graphics, but sounds just fine. I've also used a small home style machine, a $40 karaoke boom box from Radio Shack and even a 3 tray JVC/RSQ player that most KJ's use. All of then provide sound that's quite good. I always used an outboard mixer for the mic though - which is the only real varilable that I know of. There is the possibility that it has to do with the recording levels - if they're set too high it will clip and distort. Same goes for the mic levels.

Yes, there are plenty of variables and maybe I can cover some of them with a little help from the people here. I'll try to start putting the stuff together and get it posted some where soon.

K-Meister, that is an AWESOME idea of putting something together for people here that haven't figgered stuff out yet. All the info does need to be compiled somehow as a reference.

My latest recording status, in case it helps anyone....after more hours, this is where I'm at with Audio MP3 Editor and Audacity. I recorded stuff just fine in A M E; the quality is fine (for the music I did a line in from my karaoke machine, and for vocals, the microphone plugged into my computer). BUT I couldn't find a "time" edit on it to save my life (cuz I also couldn't figger out how to record vocal and music on it at the same time - don't know if that's even possible at all anywhere). SO I took my 2 separate tracks, imported them into Audacity and "time mixed" them. Then opened it back up in A M E and listened to it. I still have polishing to do but I'm getting closer to an actual sub.

The A M E automatically creates an MP3 file very easily unlike Audacity (in my experience). I sure wish there was a program where I could do everything.

Also weird: when playing cd's in the computer thru A M E, some songs on the same cd had a crackly, staticky sound sound and some didn't. But playing them line in thru the K machine, of course that didn't happen.

I'm about 90% sure the main problem you're experiencing is from the levels set on your computer. Each device - line in, mic, cd, wav, mid, etc has it's own level setting for playback. Another possibility is that the cd rom isn't set for digital playback and the analog cable/soundcard inputs is either the wrong one, or damaged.

I'd start by going to the device manager (control panel/system/hardware tab/device manger). Open the CD rom (it might say DVD Rom or CDRW or something similar) and look at the properties of the device. On the properties tab is a setting to "Enable digitial CD audio for this CD-ROM device." Make sure that it's checked. You'll likely have to restart for this change to take effect.

To set the levels, either double click the speaker in the taskbar (down by where the clock is on your computer). To add it go to control panel/sounds and audio devices. Check the box that says "Place volume icon is the taskbar" and click apply. Now you can double click the speaker in the taskbar. You'll see a number of sliders you can use to adjust the playback levels. You can see the recording levels by clicking options/properties - and then checking the volume controls you want to show up (in the "Show the following volume controls:" section). You can select different items for playback and recording. Check the RECORDING levels. If they're too high you'll clip and get static/distortion and other general nastiness. If they're too low you won't be able to work with the signals effectively - and if you amplify them to appropriate levels the amount of noise you'll have will keep the recording from sounding 'clean'.

It's no guarantee of a fix, but I'd double check the setting above and try some more recordings.

Good luck! I'm looking forward to hearing your first submission!

Tigger, I'd say, reading what you have written, that the problem has been the quality of sound coming out of your karaoke machine. If that sounds awful (even before it gets to the computer) the computer aint going to make it sound any better. I've used Audacity 1.2.2 from day one and all my subs have been made with it. There's no way I would change to anything else. I don't ever plug the mic into the sound card. The mic goes into the karaoke machine and I take the output from that into my guitar amplifier (instead of a TV). I then take the guitar amplifier's "line out" through a cable to the sound card's "line in" I only record "mono". Karaokemeister is providing you with some good advice and I'm sure you're following that. With Audacity being free, I still see it as the best way to go. Wish I could be there to help you set it up! My little black and white head could do with that scratching you promised too!!

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Those who bring sunshine to others cannot keep it from themselves  
Snoopy