Recording Your Voice With a Karaoke Machine

• 1). Find a karaoke or accompaniment CD with the song you wish to sing. Look on Amazon, or at a local music store. This might be a challenge, depending on the song you wish to record; you may have better luck finding a song by a popular artist than by a more obscure "indie" group.
  
  
• 2). Preview the song and sing along with it to make sure it's in the correct key. Many accompaniment CDs come with two or more versions of the song in higher and lower keys for different vocal ranges.
  
  
• 3). Practice your song several times to make sure you know where the lyrics are to be sung. Listen carefully for chord changes and modulations. According to the Make My Karaoke website, most accompaniment CDs are not recorded by the original artists, and there may be some slight variations in the bridge or the background vocals.
  
  
• 4). Practice singing into the microphone that you have, to see what range of distance will record the best quality sound. Generally, 1 inch away is best.
  
  
• 5). Remove anything in the room that would make a background noise, such as a fan or a pet. Turn off the central air system for the duration of the recording.
  
  
• 6). Record your CD according to the instructions that come with your karaoke machine.
  
  

Recording in a Studio Setting With Other Musicians

• 1). Research recording studios by asking other musicians or bands who have had an album recorded if they have suggestions for an appropriate studio that will give you a quality recording.
  
  
• 2). Find the correct chords and lyrics for your music and be sure your musicians are comfortable with them before you proceed.
  
  
• 3). Prepare for an expense. While some studios found in malls and shopping centers offer one- or two-song recording sessions, most professional studios have a number of hours minimum and charge for mixing and mastering your recording, as well.
  
  
• 4). Practice with your musicians for as long as possible before you go into the studio, to cut down on expenses.
  
  
• 5). Give yourself at least one hour (estimated time) to set up and do sound checks for all the musicians, and then at least two hours per song you plan to record. Mixing and mastering can take several days, depending on the quality of sound desired.