I was only funnin' ya about microphones changing the pitch. In fact, they don't do that. My fiddle tape is bad only because that's the way it was played. My playing wasn't that far out and the tape also records a very big hand from the audience but it's far enough out to offend my ear. If the tape sounds okay by itself but seems sharp or flat of where you know your instrument was tuned, it means the tape speed was not correct, either during recording or playback (or both). Inexpensive decks can also vary the tape speed in the space of a single tune.

The advantage of using your computer is that there is no tape to enter into the equation. What you hear is what it heard.

Try EBarnacle's idea of cupping your hand over one ear. You can also close one ear completely to hear your own pitch better. Another approach is to practice in the bathroom. The hard surfaces will allow you to better hear the quality and pitch of your own performance. Sing loud and with feeling, just as you would in a performance. Do this for a while, say 20 minutes or so, until you're all warmed up and ready to wail. Then have at it.

      - Mark