---
title: "Adding lyrics to instrumental tracks: manual sync guide"
description: "Learn how to perfectly time your lyrics when AI sync isn't an option"
url: https://help.mykaraoke.video/en/articles/4-adding-lyrics-to-instrumental-tracks-manual-sync-guide
collection: "Lyrics Editor"
updated: 2026-10-30
language: en
alternates: [pt, es, fr, de]
---

# Adding lyrics to instrumental tracks: manual sync guide

Learn how to perfectly time your lyrics when AI sync isn't an option

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/YN9Lhfq8zVwPUKRf2GjKNfJxqVLX18QT8nP8ckQY7MR7Ve7eIeY9DKHd7Ljcks8XYOgy0DYokuf.png)

When you have an instrumental track without vocals, or when our AI synchronization system can't automatically detect where to place lyrics, you'll need to manually synchronize your lyrics. This guide walks you through the most effective approach.

## Preparing Your Files

1.  Select "Create" from your dashboard (purple button)
    
2.  Choose "From an instrumental file" option on the creation page
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/57MA5Yw2zM24TwqVss72g6VdUDOcQoa7FXSSn7PfXesWXycZkUd98Qtvmx7qLjFWG80vZlU6N7O.png)
3.  Upload your instrumental track when prompted
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/Z55B66GlNxr8ABSeYdZ4bYaWHh7Pc1iDQ5fPsL12NVhfrDKzoK8jhjHLlX2IJRAjfkK5gZkfS1s.png)
    
4.  When you see the "Lyrics" section, prepare your text
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/YoxFjJ3nIaGj2N7n7z2c6T8Fhh9MZ8JErPi1SiUdyHYprHYRlhNUomFefMFGPs6lVRjDOyGdOAg.png)
    
5.  Paste your lyrics into the editor when prompted, or upload a lyrics file with timings (.srt, .lrc or .json) if you already have one
    

After setting your lyrics, you'll reach the "Sync lyrics" step where you have two options:

**Option A: Auto Sync**

-   Select **Auto Sync** if you have an isolated vocal track
    
-   Upload the vocal audio file that matches your instrumental
    
    > **Success:** Make sure your instrumental track and vocal track have identical length and timing for optimal synchronization!
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/3Z3R8DvyYrWpPDu7JWFxttWi8dOfrlyQbKkhtiOQNSZtAGMiGu7CWHErfgvJA66AomcbA780KKQ.png)
    
-   **Choose an AI Sync Engine**: Pro (recommended, 5 credits per minute) or Base (1 credit per minute). You'll see the cost before you continue.
    

**Option B: Manual Sync**

-   Select **Manual Sync** if you don't have a vocal track
    
-   Scroll down and click the **Lyrics Editor** button
    
-   This will open the **Lyrics Editor** window where you can manually time each lyric
    
    > **Warning:** If you do not upload a vocal file, you'll be syncing to the instrumental version alone, which may present a greater challenge.
    

## Understanding the Challenge

Unlike songs with vocals where our AI can detect singing patterns, instrumental tracks provide no vocal cues for automatic synchronization. This means you'll need to place the lyrics manually based on your knowledge of the song.

## The Recommended Synchronization Method

The most accurate way to synchronize lyrics to an instrumental track is using the Manual Sync feature with reduced playback speed:

1.  To enter the **Lyrics** **Editor**, scroll down after selecting **Manual Sync** and click the **Lyrics Editor** button. This opens the interface where you can manually time your lyrics.
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/Uq9tu8xzJD7pazBMg4XNa59apaSiZOXyzW6U5v4IuXFbUEJFSuDmatwvXBdMKGp5hQ0RiNn1lIo.png)
    
2.  **Click the "Manual Sync" button** in the top menu
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/OcqI6NwolzmARnG0mSKojFOgHIGEAEP48rFgHjC5vTZIL734oYUdVzLd1iwZHthCHo2QvFT7dY6.gif)
    
3.  **As the song plays**, press and hold the spacebar for as long as each word is sung
    
    > **Info:** For best results during manual syncing, press S to reduce playback speed to 0.75x or 0.5x. This gives you more time to react and press the spacebar accurately, creating much more precise synchronization.
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/gs8TozPmPIcmfAcCFBSiGHhEBt0mbowZuajcQoKLOnmmDDbhSo1XVtdFMzmO5mAivcEQt2Ie07m.png)
    
4.  **The system will automatically** assign timing to each word based on your spacebar presses
    

While syncing, the following keyboard shortcuts are available:

-   **\[Spacebar\]** - Press and hold while the current word is being sung
    
-   **\[Backspace\]** - Press once to redo the current line, press twice for the previous line
    
-   **\[S\]** - Toggle between playback rates (0.5x, 0.75x and 1x)
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/K5RPv6Zv0zFk2vuwP6BF6ISmzksDE9sH35iXnrncfoMJxyR2GerPxX3Qg5xxRoolbZUOsyr5PyX.png)
    
-   **\[←\] / \[→\]** - Seek backward or forward in the audio
    

## Fine-Tuning Your Synchronization

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/oIb6q0Ko2RrlLtHeSwPgOwzjJVqWq7zvIdIbGu7oKDfidubLDfmou7m6K8lO1h8sYfY1xd22Kj3.gif)

After completing the initial synchronization, you can make precise adjustments:

1.  **Toggle between LINES and WORDS views** to work at different levels of detail
    
2.  **In LINES view** - Click and drag entire lines to adjust their position
    
3.  **In WORDS view** - Select individual words to:
    
    -   Move them by dragging to a new position
        
    -   Stretch their duration by dragging the right edge
        
    -   Change when they start by dragging the left edge
        
    -   Use the snapping tools to align them with adjacent words
        
        ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/bKo5FPaSxsBuhm17Mq0ftLqt1Rg1ldufziNXMk9l7QjqjhfOnlCojnIiKjTU0cXrXuMpn0lBKYu.gif)

These fine-tuning options allow you to perfect your synchronization after the initial pass with the Manual Sync method.

## Tips for Better Results

-   **Consider using the 0.5x or 0.75x speed** when doing manual synchronization with the spacebar method, especially for songs with rapid lyrics or complex timing
    
-   **Focus on accuracy** rather than speed - the reduced playback rate helps with this
    
-   **If you make a mistake**, use the Backspace shortcut rather than stopping the sync process
    
-   **Make multiple passes** - first sync with Manual Sync, then fine-tune in WORDS/LINES view
    
-   **Practice with shorter sections** before attempting an entire song
    

## Final Steps

1.  **Review your work** by playing through the entire song
    
2.  **Make any necessary adjustments** using the fine-tuning techniques
    
3.  **Click Save** (floppy disk icon) in the Lyrics Editor, close it, then click "Save & Continue" at the bottom of the Sync lyrics page to open your project in the video editor, where you can customize and export it
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/La3XVUJWagoWLk6MFz4iNeGn7m8RZMaxYAa64t5BAyfaXtxZe0Qi4R8C6z2LyMsvAlHRK7wdsg7.png)
    

With these methods, you can create professionally synchronized karaoke tracks even for instrumental songs, expanding your library with unique tracks that wouldn't be possible through automated methods alone.