Mac Quick Start

Note

These quick start pages each show one specific way to create a karaoke from start to finish. If you need more context or other software options, use the links on the nav bar (or hamburger menu if you have a small screen).

Install Required Software

Download MidiCo - Choose the version applicable to your Mac type and version.

This is the software we’ll use to sync lyrics. It is a paid product, but the evaluation version will be enough for you to test if it will work for you.

Separate Audio

If you already have a backing track, feel free to skip this part (but don’t take the audio from commercial karaoke, see Why we use original audio).

  1. Find the highest quality version of the track you can. If you can get flac from Bandcamp or similar, that’s your best bet.

  2. Run a vocal removal model:

    1. Go to the x-minus vocal remover page.

    2. Select the “mel-roformer” AI model, or “mel-roformer (kar)” if you want backing vocals. If these models are no longer available in the free version, you can use their “Vocal remover” or “Keep backing vocals” shortcut links to get to the best they’ll offer.

      screenshot of x-minus, selecting mel-roformer model

    3. Drag and drop your high quality audio file.

      screenshot of x-minus, processing file upload

    4. Set the format as desired (if option is available) and download the Instrumental/Other and Vocals stems it generated.

      screenshot of x-minus, completed, indicating Other and Vocals download options

Format Lyrics

Now we need lyrics in a good format for karaoke.

Find accurate lyrics

If there’s official lyrics on the band’s Bandcamp or YouTube video description, great, use those. If there’s a devoted fan community site (e.g. Weird Al Wiki or TMBW), also a great resource. Failing that, Genius usually does ok.

Listen to the song while reading through the lyrics and make sure things match up. Sometimes a line needs to be doubled, or an ad-lib needs to be added. The more accurate it is, the easier it will be to sync, and the less editing will be needed after.

Sync Lyrics

OK, it’s finally time to start the graphics.

  1. Open MidiCo

  2. Go to Maker ‣ Open Maker if the Synchronizer window is not open. If it says you need to open a file first, go ahead and open an audio file with File ‣ Open File.

    Screenshot of the MidiCo Synchronizer

  3. Hit the Edit Lyrics button.

  4. Paste your lyrics into the left pane.

    Screenshot of the MidiCo Lyrics Editor with lyrics pasted in

  5. Ensure none of the lyrics go over the red bars on either side. If any do, add line breaks as needed.

    Screenshot of the MidiCo Lyrics Editor after breaking a long line

  6. Add a hyphen (“-”) between syllables to have them operate as separate units during syncing (optional, but recommended). There is a Hyphenate button that will try to add them automatically, though it won’t always be entirely accurate. Make sure your language is set correctly for the track to use this feature.

    Screenshot of the MidiCo Lyrics Editor after Hyphenate button pressed

  7. If you haven’t opened the correct audio file yet, go to Maker ‣ Change Soundtrack and locate your audio file (either the full audio or vocal stem, not the instrumental). Avoid using a .flac file for this particular step because it may cause issues with syncing.

  8. Hit the Start Sync button.

  9. The audio will start playing. The next syllable/word will be highlighted in red. Hit space on your keyboard when the audio for it plays. If you have the evaluation version, you will only be able to play 2 minutes of the audio.

    Screenshot of the MidiCo Synchronizer, in sync mode

There are of course some more features available for syncing, as well as editing and layout options, but that’s the basics.

Output

  1. Click Maker ‣ Change Soundtrack again, and locate your instrumental/karaoke audio.

  2. Go to File ‣ Export to Mp3+Cdg… to create a CDG.

  3. Go to File ‣ Export Movie… to create a video file. With the evaluation copy, your resolution will be limited.

Upload to YouTube

  1. Create a channel. You can use an existing Google account, but it’s better if you create a new one.

  2. Go to the Upload page.

  3. Drop in your video file.

  4. Edit the title and description and wait for it to upload and process.

Follow-up steps