About MIKESTAR

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Find the answers to questions, that bothered you

Do you still have unanswered questions? Feel free to send us a mail.
Your MIKESTAR.com Team will answer all your questions and inquiries as soon as possible!

System requirements,what do I need?

Software

  • In order to be able to record and view songs recorded by other users, you'll need to have Adobe Flash Player installed on your system. But don't worry - most systems (around 98%) already have it installed. If the Adobe Flash Player - against expectations - is not available on your computer: The software you need is free of charge and you will be able to download it here.

    Your Adobe Flash Player should be Version 9 (or newer) at best, to use all available functions, offered by MIKESTAR.com.

    It is possible to let Adobe examine your system, to see if and which version of the Adobe Flash Player is already installed: Flash-Examination.

Hardware

  • You need a microphone or a headset in order to record a song on MIKESTAR Karaoke. Your recordings will be even more interesting, if you use a webcam as well, but it will also work without one!

Technical Issues, Frequently occuring Problems and what's causing them

Help, I cannot hear anything!

  • First of all, examine your microphone connection and verify everything is plugged in at the right spot. Your problem could also be caused by wrong microphone or sound settings. You can find help in the tutorial or inside of the detailed descriptions.

Help, I cannot hear myself!

  • Please examine your microphone connection once again. Your problem could be caused by wrong microphone or sound settings as well. You can find help in the tutorial or inside of the detailed descriptions.

Help, I can hear myself but no music!

  • This problem usually occurs, when a user didn't set up the "Stereo Mix" in the volume control panel right. How to appropiately set up the "Stereo Mix" is described in the tutorial or the detailed descriptions.

Help, I can hear myself but everything sounds distorted!

  • This could be caused by different issues. Your microphone might not be adjusted right in the MIKESTAR settings or on your computer. You can find help in the tutorial or inside of the detailed descriptions.

Help, I can record, but it is way too quiet!

  • This could be caused by different issues as well. Your microphone might not be adjusted right in the MIKESTAR settings or on your computer. You can find help in the tutorial or inside of the detailed descriptions.

Help, I cannot record, nor view other user's recordings!

  • You probably dont have Adobe Flash Player installed on your system. You can have your system examined to find out if and what version of the Adobe Flash Player you have installed here: Flash-Examination..

Registration

I haven't received an activation-email

  • You can just log in with the username and password you provided during the registration process. Once logged in, you can get another activation mail and correct your email address.

Detailed Instructions, Find full detailed descriptions and instructions to all functions available on MIKESTAR.

The following instructions generally refer to settings in Windows XP, but it is possible to a great extent, to use the described methods on different systems as well.

Connecting your microphone

  • Plug your microphone into the recording jack of your computer. Be careful to use the right jack, it is usually marked by a little microphone icon. Another common identification method is the color marking: The microfon jacks on most systems are pink or red. Speakers and headphones usually go into a green jack. In addition you have to make sure your microphon is activated. You can find the Windows sound settings by clicking the speaker icon on the bottom right of your task bar or by clicking "Advanced" in Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices. Also make sure "Line-In" and the sound output in general is NOT muted.

Record a song, Flash Player settings

  • To make a recording, first of all select a song of your choice by browsing through the "Sing & Record" section or using the search function.

    When you're in the recording-studio click on "Settings" in order to set up everything needed for your microphone and webcam to work and record.

    You will have to allow www.MIKESTAR.com to enter your microphone/webcam settings within the appearing Flash Player settings, by clicking "Allow" and "Remember", when asked for access.

    After closing the Flash Player settings window, you should adjust your microphone and sound playback correctly, as shown in the following step.

Sound settings and adjustment

  • Any problems with your soundsettings? Then you're at the right place here!

  • Step 1

  • You need to open the windows audio menu in order to examine your sound settings. You can do that by clicking the speaker icon on the bottom right of your task bar or by clicking "Advanced" in Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices.

    If no sound icon is shown in your taskbar, you can also get to the sound settings through your Windows Control Panel by opening "Sounds and Audio Devices&" and then clicking "Advanced&" on the "Volume&" tab.

  • Step 2

  • Make sure the option "Mute" is not checkmarked below the microphone.

  • Step 3

  • Next click on the "Options" Button on the top left and select "Properties". Now you can choose between recording and playback settings. Inside die "Playback" settings, you will have to make checkmarks at "Overall", "Wave" and "Microphon", so you can adjust their volume level in the next step.

    Now change to the "Recording" settings. IMPORTANT: In order to record your voice and music at the same time, you have to enable the "Stereo-Mix" of your sound card (sometimes also known as "What you hear" or "Wave Out"). So make sure, you checkmark "Stereo-Mix".

  • Step 4

  • Verify your checkmark changes by klicking "OK". Now you automatically enter the "Recording" settings. At this point, you have to select "Stereo-Mix" (not the Microphone!) as your recording device.

  • The higher you set the Stereo-Mix adjuster, the louder will the overall sound of your recording be. If your recordings roar or sound distorted, you ve set the Stereo-Mix too high and you will have to turn it down a little for a better recording quality. Unfortunately there can't be an exact instruction for these settings, since every soundcard and microphone reacts differently. Our guide is: Set the Stereo-Mix as loud as possible, without your voice or music sounding distorted or roaring.