Tutorial:     Add karaoke lyrics in a MIDI File Sonar & Cakewalk
By:            John Ialuna
Website:   HitTrax MIDI Files - www.hittrax.com.au and www.midi.com.au
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's a tip to easily add scrolling lyrics to a MIDI File.  Requirements for this tutorial are:

1. PC with a MIDI sound module connected or GM sound card
   
2. Sequencing program: Sonar - any version or Cakewalk Audio - version 8 or later
3. MIDI File complete that includes an accurate melody line preferably on MIDI channel 4.  Note - if your MIDI File does not have a melody line, see my separate tutorial on ' Adding a melody line to a MIDI File'.
   
4. Text file of the lyrics
   

This is a very simple process and should only take a few minutes with each song provided the melody line and lyrics are accurate.  I will refer to the sequencing program as Sonar but the same applies to Cakewalk.OK, here we go:

1. Open Sonar
2. Load a MIDI File with melody line included
3. Select the MIDI channel that has the melody line.  This should be MIDI channel 4 but any channel will work
4. Hold the 'Alt' key and press the '7' to open the score page
5. Hold the 'Alt' key and press the '8' to open the lyrics page
6. Copy and paste the lyrics into the lyrics page then press the 'Hyphenate' button
7. The lyrics should line up wit the melody line notes.
8. Select the score section and play the song and check for accuracy. HINT - Click your mouse on the bar line when a section is OK as Sonar will always return to the start of the song if stopped when in this mode.  By clicking on the bar line, a green flag will appear and Sonar will return to this point when stopped.
9. Add a hyphen in between words if there are inaccuracies

When complete, go: File>Save As and select MIDI Format 0 then save the MIDI File.

About the writer

John Ialuna is the founder of HitTrax MIDI Files.  HitTrax is a world leader in creating and providing pro quality MIDI Files to entertainers, singers and musicians.  HitTrax also provides MP3 backing tracks and Ring Tones to most catalogue titles. The website offers 16,000 + licensed and fully produced MIDI Files, demo's, lyrics, instant download and the popular 'OkyWeb' MIDI/MP3 players

CONTACT
~~~~~~~~
HitTrax -  http://www.hittrax.com.au
Contact - http://www.hittrax.com.au/contact.asp
Ph/Fx:   - +613 9887 8127