Sound recording

Abstract

A recording method and system that provides optional and controllable song lyric acoustical promptings and music for Karaoke participants which is also capable of providing phonetic instruction for formative bilingual skill development. The acoustical prompts are in the form of short spoken phrases, acoustically provided just prior to the time at which the actual vocal should be sung. The method of acoustical prompting employs a listen--sing-along procedure effected via the interaction of the spoken instructor-promptings and the Karaoke participant. The acoustical system includes preparing a multi-track recording in proper time sequence to provide a precedent acoustical prompt. For example, the recording could have stereo music on two tracks, an original vocal on a third track in synchronism with the music, and on a fourth track rapidly spoken prompt messages preceding respective portions (vocal lines) of the original vocal. The recording may be played back in a predetermined sequence into an electronic mixer for controlling the sound level of each track, communicating the rapidly spoken prompt messages by acoustical means directly to a Karaoke participant for the purpose of enabling the participant to sing a rendition associated with the said audio vocal prompt by repeating and singing the prompt message accordingly with the melody of the original vocal line, feeding the participant's rendition into the mixer for producing the participant's rendition of the vocal in accompanying relationship with the music and/or the original vocal, and controlling the volume level of the original vocal relative to the volume level of the participant's rendition. This acoustical method and system of song lyric and language prompting significantly facilitates both the amateur and/or professional user with a simple to use, listen and sing-along, interactive procedure.