The key you were handed

A karaoke track is usually in the original artist’s key, which may sit too high or too low for you. The picture does not care: the lyrics scroll the same way whatever key the music is in. Open PitchShed on the video tab and move the key until you can sing the melody without strain.

What to expect on screen

Changing the key adds a delay of about a tenth of a second to the sound, so the sound trails the picture by that much. In karaoke that means the highlighted words run slightly ahead of the music. It is a real limit of changing the key live. If it bothers you, a version of the track recorded in a key closer to yours is the alternative.

Finding the right shift

Sing the hardest line of the song first, and change the key until it feels easy. Then sing the whole song to check the low parts. If you are unsure which direction to move, the page on finding a comfortable key has a simple routine.

Slowing a new song down

A song you are learning does not have to be sung at full speed the first time. The Speed row slows the track without moving the pitch, and speed control is free.

Use a karaoke video, not the record

PitchShed moves the whole sound and cannot take the singer out of it. Pick a video that already has the voice removed.

Duets and group singalongs

If more than one person is singing, test the key with the least confident voice in the room. A track that suits you may be too high for a friend. Press + or − before the next song, and the whole group sings in a key that works for everyone.