Vocaloid needs a WAV or MP3 file to work with your vocal track

Vocaloid synthesizes singing on top of existing music. To do that, you import an instrumental — a backing track without vocals — into the Vocaloid editor as an audio file. The software then lets you draw in the melody and lyrics, and Vocaloid generates a voice singing over your instrumental.

The instrumental file must be in WAV or MP3 format. Most music production software exports to one of these formats by default. If your instrumental is in a different format — FLAC, OGG, M4A — you will need to convert it first using free software like Audacity or foobar2000.

The file size matters less than the quality. A 320 kbps MP3 or a 16-bit WAV will work fine. Vocaloid does not care whether the file is mono or stereo, but stereo instrumentals are more common and sound better in the final mix.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your instrumental by opening the audio track panel in Vocaloid and selecting your WAV or MP3 file from your computer.
  • Convert your instrumental to WAV or MP3 first if it is in another format like FLAC or M4A.
  • The instrumental plays back in sync with the Vocaloid track so you can hear both together while you compose the vocal melody.
  • Vocaloid does not edit or change your instrumental — it only plays it alongside the synthetic voice you create.

Where to find the import button in your Vocaloid version

The exact location depends on which Vocaloid version you own. In Vocaloid 5, open the Track panel on the left side of the editor. Right-click on the audio track row and select "Import Audio". In Vocaloid 6, the same panel exists but the menu option may say "Load Audio" or "Add Audio Track" depending on your update version.

A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where your instrumental is saved, select the file, and click Open. Vocaloid will import the audio and display it as a waveform in the track panel. The audio will play from the beginning of the project timeline whenever you hit play.

If you do not see an audio track row in the Track panel, you may need to add one first. Right-click in the empty space below the Vocaloid track and select "New Audio Track" or "Insert Audio Track". Then follow the import steps above.

Syncing the instrumental to your Vocaloid melody

Once the instrumental is imported, it plays automatically whenever you play the project. The Vocaloid voice and the instrumental stay in sync because they both follow the same timeline and tempo.

If your instrumental was recorded at a different tempo than your Vocaloid project, you will hear them drift apart. To fix this, you need to change the project tempo to match the instrumental. In Vocaloid 5 and 6, open the Tempo panel and adjust the BPM (beats per minute) until the instrumental and Vocaloid voice line up.

If you do not know the instrumental's tempo, use a free online BPM detector like Moises or Chosic. Upload the instrumental file, and the tool will measure the tempo for you. Then set your Vocaloid project to that BPM before you start composing.

Converting instrumentals that are not WAV or MP3

If your instrumental is in FLAC, OGG, M4A, or another format, Vocaloid will not recognize it. You need to convert it to WAV or MP3 first.

Audacity is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Open Audacity, go to File > Open, select your instrumental file, then go to File > Export > Export as WAV (or MP3). Choose a location to save the converted file and click Export. The conversion takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the file length.

If you prefer a simpler tool, foobar2000 (Windows only) can batch-convert multiple files at once. Install foobar2000, right-click your instrumental file, select "Convert", choose WAV or MP3 as the output format, and click Convert. The converted file will save in the same folder as the original.

Adjusting volume so the instrumental does not drown out the vocal

When you first import an instrumental, it may play much louder than the Vocaloid voice you create. You can adjust the instrumental's volume without changing the original file.

In the Track panel, look for a volume slider or fader next to the audio track row. Click and drag it to the left to lower the volume. A typical starting point is around 70 to 80 percent of full volume, which leaves room for the Vocaloid voice to sit on top. You can adjust this as you compose and hear how the two tracks blend.

Some versions of Vocaloid also let you mute the instrumental temporarily by clicking a mute button next to the track. This is useful when you want to hear only the Vocaloid voice to check the melody and timing.

Exporting your project with both the instrumental and vocal

When you export your finished project, Vocaloid mixes the Vocaloid voice and the instrumental together into a single audio file. Go to File > Export Audio, choose WAV or MP3 as the format, and click Export. The resulting file will contain both the instrumental and the synthetic voice.

If you want to keep the instrumental and vocal on separate tracks for further editing in another program like Audacity or a digital audio workstation, export them separately. First, mute the audio track and export only the Vocaloid voice. Then mute the Vocaloid track and export only the instrumental. You can then import both files into another program and mix them together with more control.

Common problems when importing instrumentals

If Vocaloid says the file format is not supported, the instrumental is in a format Vocaloid does not recognize. Convert it to WAV or MP3 using Audacity or foobar2000 as described above.

If the instrumental plays but the Vocaloid voice does not, check that the Vocaloid track is not muted. Look for a mute button (usually marked with an M or a speaker icon with a line through it) next to the Vocaloid track row and click it to unmute.

If the instrumental and Vocaloid voice are out of sync, the project tempo does not match the instrumental's tempo. Measure the instrumental's BPM using an online tool and update the project tempo in Vocaloid to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import an instrumental from a YouTube video or streaming service?

Technically you can read audio from YouTube using free tools like yt-dlp, but doing so may violate the copyright of the original artist. If you want to use someone else's instrumental, contact the creator and ask permission first. If they agree, they can send you the file directly.

What if my instrumental is too long or I only want to use part of it?

You can trim the instrumental before importing it. Open it in Audacity, select the section you want to keep, go to Edit > Trim Audio, then export the trimmed version as WAV or MP3. Import the trimmed file into Vocaloid instead of the original.

Does Vocaloid change or process the instrumental when I import it?

No. Vocaloid plays the instrumental exactly as it is. The software does not explore effects, adjust the EQ, or alter the sound in any way. It only plays the audio file alongside the Vocaloid voice you create.

Can I import multiple instrumentals into one Vocaloid project?

Yes. Add a new audio track for each instrumental by right-clicking in the Track panel and selecting "New Audio Track" or "Insert Audio Track". Then import a different instrumental into each track. You can adjust the volume of each one independently.

What audio format should I use if I am creating the instrumental myself?

Export your instrumental as WAV if you want the highest quality and do not mind the larger file size. Export as MP3 at 320 kbps if you want a smaller file that still sounds good. Both work equally well in Vocaloid.