Make a karaoke track for a birthday

Choosing the right song

A birthday karaoke isn't a contest: a chorus everyone knows beats a difficult song. Avoid very fast tempos and melodies that climb very high; a 3-minute song is plenty.

If you rewrite the lyrics for the birthday person, keep the same number of syllables per line as the original: the new version then sings effortlessly.

Preparing the track on your phone

With the NAUPLY Stems app, import the song, separate it in Quality mode, then mute the Vocals stem. For guests who aren't confident, leave the original voice at a low volume: it guides them without covering the singers.

The key can be changed by ±6 semitones without changing the speed. Lowering by 2 or 3 semitones makes many songs easier for a group. Then export the instrumental as MP3 or WAV.

The lyrics

The app doesn't scroll lyrics: prepare them separately. A sheet printed in large type, one per singer, works very well; so does a tablet placed in front of the group. Mark the chorus repeats so nobody gets lost.

On the day

Test the track the day before on the speaker you'll use: enough volume, no cut at the start, a clean ending. Keep the file locally on the phone, without relying on the venue's network.

For a recorded version (a sung message for someone who can't come, for example), the app's Sing mode records up to 2 voices with headphones over the instrumental, then exports the mix.

What about rights?

Singing with family and friends in a private setting is fine. Playing it in a public venue or publishing a video online falls under other rules: check with the venue or your country's collecting society.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need internet during the party?

No: the exported track is a file on the phone. The separation itself also happens on the device.

How long does it take to prepare a song?

A few minutes: separation in Quality mode takes about 15 to 40 seconds per minute of music depending on the phone, then setting the key and exporting.

Can we keep a little of the original voice?

Yes, by lowering the Vocals stem's volume instead of muting it.

Does the app display lyrics?

No, you need to prepare them separately (paper or screen).

More guides

• Vocal chain: the plugin order for a clear, upfront vocal4 min read
• Rap vocal chain: the plugins and settings for a vocal that sits on top of the beat4 min read
• How to separate the stems of a song: vocals, drums, bass and instruments3 min read
• Reverb plugins on Mac: choosing the type, the format and the right settings4 min read
• Mastering: the steps to a clean master in your DAW3 min read
• How to clean up a recording: background noise, hiss, clicks and reverb3 min read
• Separate vocals and music on Android, offline3 min read
• Practise guitar, bass or drums with a track without your instrument2 min read
• Online or on-device stem separation: what's the difference?2 min read
• Split a song into stems right inside your DAW3 min read
• Isolate the drums from a song (even the kick or the snare)3 min read
• Isolate the bass from a song to transcribe or replay it2 min read
• Remove the drums (or bass) from a song to practice2 min read
• An acapella locked to your project tempo2 min read
• Transcribe a separated stem to MIDI: bass, vocals, drums2 min read
• Which reverb on vocals? Plate, room, pre-delay and amount2 min read
• Delay on vocals: slapback, dotted-eighth echoes and throws2 min read
• Convolution vs. algorithmic reverb: what's the difference?2 min read
• Shimmer reverb: create pads that rise in octaves2 min read
• Chorus, flanger or phaser: what's the difference?2 min read
• EQ your mix like a reference track (match EQ)2 min read
• Automatic vocal chain: what a plugin can set for you2 min read

Glossary →