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removing the vocals to then remove the backing from the original? Posted by xe-cute (from: 217.34.78.148) on June 22, 2002 at 12:29:32: In Reply to: need to remove backin track so im left with vocal posted by steve od on August 31, 2001 at 06:50:09: you can remove vocals like this and then use that to take away from the original to leave you with just the vocals maybe? Removing Vocals Removing vocals from an audio track has long been the desire of musicians and remixers in order to obtain the instrumental version of a song, otherwise available only as a complete mix. The sections below explain how this task can be accomplished and some of the problems that can get in the way. Is Removing Vocals Possible? Yes and no. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer because it depends on many factors including what instruments and sound elements make up the non-vocal part of the audio signal and how these and the vocals have been processed and mixed into the final recording. In most cases, you can not expect to get results that are acceptable for professional use. However, in some cases, it is possible to render reasonable output useful in many, non-professional, scenarios. And, once in awhile, it is even possible to get excellent results. Automatic Approach A few software programs are capable of removing vocals from a stereo audio file automatically, eliminating the hassle of the multi-step manual procedure described in the following section. Some of these programs include. AnalogX Vocal Remover - DirectX Plugin Sound Forge - Featured in 4.5 or higher Manual Approach While the automatic approach is easier, the manual approach can be accomplished in most audio editing software. It also provides insight into how the automatic vocal removal feature in most software works. 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. What if: We take away the Vocals as detailed above then use that copy with the vocals taken away to do the same process on the original with the vocals and we may be left with just the vocals? I.E. after removing the vocals use the left side on our version with no vocals to eliminate the backing on our original left side with vocals and do the same for the right? Follow Ups: Post a Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: : you can remove vocals like this and then use that to take away from the original to leave you with just the vocals maybe? : Removing Vocals : Removing vocals from an audio track has long been the desire of musicians and remixers in order to obtain the instrumental version of a song, otherwise available only as a complete mix. The sections below explain how this task can be accomplished and some of the problems that can get in the way. : Is Removing Vocals Possible? : Yes and no. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer because it depends on many factors including what instruments and sound elements make up the non-vocal part of the audio signal and how these and the vocals have been processed and mixed into the final recording. In most cases, you can not expect to get results that are acceptable for professional use. However, in some cases, it is possible to render reasonable output useful in many, non-professional, scenarios. And, once in awhile, it is even possible to get excellent results. : Automatic Approach : A few software programs are capable of removing vocals from a stereo audio file automatically, eliminating the hassle of the multi-step manual procedure described in the following section. Some of these programs include. : AnalogX Vocal Remover - DirectX Plugin : Sound Forge - Featured in 4.5 or higher : Manual Approach : While the automatic approach is easier, the manual approach can be accomplished in most audio editing software. It also provides insight into how the automatic vocal removal feature in most software works. : 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. : What if: : We take away the Vocals as detailed above then use that copy with the vocals taken away to do the same process on the original with the vocals and we may be left with just the vocals? : I.E. after removing the vocals use the left side on our version with no vocals to eliminate the backing on our original left side with vocals and do the same for the right? Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Music Software Discussion & Help Page ] [ FAQ ]

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