Re: is it possible to remove the vocals from a song that i downloaded?

Re: is it possible to remove the vocals from a song that i downloaded?

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Posted by Jeff (from: 66.57.172.150) on December 20, 2002 at 16:42:49:

In Reply to: is it possible to remove the vocals from a song that i downloaded? posted by andy on September 21, 2002 at 17:11:04:

: well is it?

Ok. Here is the research (lenghty, mind you) that I have gathered while trying to solve this question.

This method of removing vocals can be accomplished fairly easily, but depends greatly on how the entire mix was recorded. This method works when all or most of the non-vocal audio is mixed in stereo (some more to the left and some to the right) and the vocals are mixed in the center. Fortunately, this is common practice in popular music, making it a fairly reasonable method for many songs.

Tip: While most audio editors don't have an automatic vocal removal feature, many do provide "macro" functionality, which allows you to record the steps described above, and then replay them on any audio file or selection. See your program's documentation to learn how.

Open the stereo audio file in an audio editor.
Select and reverse the phase of the left channel (also called Invert or Flip). This option is usually presented in the Edit menu.
Mix the both the left and right channels of the stereo file into a single-channel (mono) audio file. This option is also usually found in the Edit menu, but is sometimes accomplished by editing the file's format properties from the File menu (ie. Sound Forge).
Split the single-channel audio file back into a stereo file that has the newly mixed single-channel on both the left and right channels. This procedure is usually close to the one used to mix the channels.
Now reverse the phase of the left channel back again, the same way it was accomplished earlier.
The resulting stereo audio file should now contain the same mix with all center-mixed audio cancelled from the mix. Hopefully, the entire instrumental contents will still exist, while the vocals will be canceled, or at least much more quite.

Problems Removing Vocals
Due to the complexity of many music and audio tracks, removing vocals using the method described above may result in poor or useless results. For example, when many of the background elements are also mixed in the center of the stereo spectrum and overlap or share the same frequency range with the vocals, the method above will produce distorted results that have lost much more than just vocals.

Additionally, effects, such as echo and reverb are often applied to vocals before they are recorded to the final mix. Unlike the commonly centered vocals, these effects tend not to be centered, making them difficult to remove. Additionally, the effects can distort and alter the vocals in ways that result in audio outside the normal vocal frequency range, making it difficult to "EQ out".

With some trial and error, you'll develop an ear for determining which audio tracks contain vocals that can be successfully removed and which do not. While the method described here does not always work, it is a fairly simple procedure that in many cases can render useful results.

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: : well is it? : : Ok. Here is the research (lenghty, mind you) that I have gathered while trying to solve this question. : This method of removing vocals can be accomplished fairly easily, but depends greatly on how the entire mix was recorded. This method works when all or most of the non-vocal audio is mixed in stereo (some more to the left and some to the right) and the vocals are mixed in the center. Fortunately, this is common practice in popular music, making it a fairly reasonable method for many songs. : Tip: While most audio editors don't have an automatic vocal removal feature, many do provide "macro" functionality, which allows you to record the steps described above, and then replay them on any audio file or selection. See your program's documentation to learn how. : : Open the stereo audio file in an audio editor. : Select and reverse the phase of the left channel (also called Invert or Flip). This option is usually presented in the Edit menu. : Mix the both the left and right channels of the stereo file into a single-channel (mono) audio file. This option is also usually found in the Edit menu, but is sometimes accomplished by editing the file's format properties from the File menu (ie. Sound Forge). : Split the single-channel audio file back into a stereo file that has the newly mixed single-channel on both the left and right channels. This procedure is usually close to the one used to mix the channels. : Now reverse the phase of the left channel back again, the same way it was accomplished earlier. : The resulting stereo audio file should now contain the same mix with all center-mixed audio cancelled from the mix. Hopefully, the entire instrumental contents will still exist, while the vocals will be canceled, or at least much more quite. : Problems Removing Vocals : Due to the complexity of many music and audio tracks, removing vocals using the method described above may result in poor or useless results. For example, when many of the background elements are also mixed in the center of the stereo spectrum and overlap or share the same frequency range with the vocals, the method above will produce distorted results that have lost much more than just vocals. : Additionally, effects, such as echo and reverb are often applied to vocals before they are recorded to the final mix. Unlike the commonly centered vocals, these effects tend not to be centered, making them difficult to remove. Additionally, the effects can distort and alter the vocals in ways that result in audio outside the normal vocal frequency range, making it difficult to "EQ out". : With some trial and error, you'll develop an ear for determining which audio tracks contain vocals that can be successfully removed and which do not. While the method described here does not always work, it is a fairly simple procedure that in many cases can render useful results.
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