Transcript Sound Tech Vocal Trainer Kit

Sound Tech Vocal Trainer Kit
“SING LIKE A STAR”
About the software…
 Sound Tech’s Vocal
Trainer Kit is a program
that enables people from
limited musical
backgrounds to improve
upon their singing skills.
It uses animated
characters and graphics
to help non-musicians
develop basic skills.
Package Contents
 Dynamic microphone
 Tripod desk stand with microphone clip
 LightSnake XLR to USB cable—STUSBXLR10
 SingingCoach Software
 User Guide
 PC driver CD for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE.
The package costs around $90. The items are more
expensive if you buy them separately.
Set Up
 First, hook up the
LightSnake cable( a USB
cord) to the computer
and microphone.
 Place the microphone on
the tripod.
 Install the software onto
your computer by
following a few basic
steps.
Getting Started
 Once the program is installed, you will begin by singing a
scale, going from the lowest part of your range to the
highest part. The program will access your vocal range and
show the results in a graph so that you can determine
where your voice naturally sits.
 After testing your range, you can choose to go through all
20 available lessons or pick the ones you want to take. Each
session is designed to help the singer develop a good tone,
better pitch accuracy, and an expanded vocal range. The
program even offers lessons on basic music reading skills.
Graphics
The program uses
graphs like this
one to show you
how accurate your
pitch is. Such
visuals also enable
you to see what
your voice is doing
when you listen to
the playback.
Reading Music
This is a screen
shot of the music
reading lessons
that come with the
program. A melody
is played while the
notes are
highlighted on a
virtual keyboard.
After the tutorials
 Once you have completed the lessons or just skipped over the ones you
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don’t want to do, you can begin singing songs karaoke style.
The program comes with several songs but also provides a link where
you can download popular music.
The downloaded music comes in a format that only works with the
Vocal Kit. However, these downloads include virtual notation and
lyrics.
The program even comes with a mixer application so that once you
record your voice with the accompaniment, you can set the volume for
the different tracks.
After you sing through each song, you will get a score from 1 to 100
based on your pitch accuracy. To help you stay on track while you sing,
the program will show you a graph with color-coded pitch boxes.
Product Pros
 The program provides good
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basic training for people
who want to improve their
singing skills enough so
that they won’t embarrass
themselves at karaoke bars.
There are plenty of practice
songs provided.
The package includes a
good microphone.
Being able to read music is
not a requirement for the
program.
Safer learning environment
for beginners.
Another Plus…
 The LightSnake
microphone is a cool
accessory to have if you
want to do any other vocal
recording with your
computer in the future.
 It’s probably not great for
an audition recording, but
it works great for
podcasting and casual
recording.
 It is also available for
guitar.
Product Cons
 Additional karaoke songs for the program are rather
expensive, and they are mediocre midi recordings.
 The program requires a different disk to be
compatible with Vista.
 The tripod has a reputation of breaking easily.
 Those songs that are so expensive to download are
only compatible with the Vocal Trainer Kit.
Overview
 The Sound Tech Vocal Trainer Kit could be helpful
when used for its intended purpose. It provides an
adequate foundation in basic singing skills for
inexperienced singers.
 It would probably not be helpful for people who have
already had basic musical experience and are seeking
to build upon fundamental knowledge.