Greyowlphotoart
530 posts
Mar 08, 2011
4:47 AM
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Does anyone know of an effective piece of software (free or paid for) for removing or at least greatly diminishing vocals or harp for that matter, from a song.
I have tried Audacity as per the following instructions:-
This is possible only for certain stereo tracks. When the vocals are exactly the same on both stereo channels, you can remove them by “subtracting” one channel from the other. This works for many studio recordings, where the vocal track is mixed exactly in the center.
To do this in Audacity:
1. Import your stereo file into Audacity.
2. Open the track menu (click the arrow next to the track title), and choose “Split Stereo Track.”
3. Select the lower track (the right channel) by clicking it in the area around the mute/solo buttons.
4. Choose “Invert” from the Effects menu.
5. Using the track menus, change each track to “Mono.”
Press the Play button to hear the results. If you are lucky, the voice will be gone but most of the other instruments will be unaffected, just like a karaoke track.
This works to a degree but I was hoping for slightly better results.
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Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2011 4:47 AM
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MrVerylongusername
1593 posts
Mar 08, 2011
5:58 AM
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The method above works because vocals are usually panned dead centre - i.e. equal in left and right channel. When you invert one track and sum them the vocal is cancelled out. It is rarely perfect, because of things like compression, effects and mixing tricks to thicken vocals. You might try experimenting with EQ before and after the inversion/summing: it help a little. In some recordings there might be a vocal bleed over from other channels - depending on how the recording was made. As for backing vocals, they are usually panned, so you'll never eliminate them.
As far as I know, it's the only way to do this. Whatever software or hardware option you go for, it is essentially doing the same thing.
*edit* unless it's been recorded on the vocal mic at the time of the vocal, the harp is unlikely to be panned dead centre.
Also, bear in mind that anything else that is central in the mix will also go - you'll probaby lose a fair bit of bass and kickdrum.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2011 6:01 AM
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Greyowlphotoart
532 posts
Mar 08, 2011
6:05 AM
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Cheers MrVerylongusername.
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nacoran
3867 posts
Mar 08, 2011
9:34 AM
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I read about software that is supposed to take instruments out within the last year or so. I think it's pretty high end stuff that relies on actually figuring out what instruments are making what noises and pulling them out. I don't remember what the software was, or even if it was out of the research labs out into the wild yet.
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Aussiesucker
792 posts
Mar 08, 2011
5:51 PM
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My understanding is that there is a program (free download) called Vanbasco which claims to remove vocals from CD's in order to produce Karaoke CD's. Is supposed to also be able to remove instruments.
If you find success lets know as I did download it a few years back but had difficulty (could be me) in getting it to load files.
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Jim Rumbaugh
434 posts
Mar 08, 2011
7:23 PM
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I just tried the technique as described above. For me, it it worked VERY good.
If it does not work, I can see 2 possibilities.
1) during playback, adjust the volume of only one track up and down. You will hear the vocals get louder and softer as the 2 vocals get closer to equal , then farther apart. Full cancelation only occurs when the 2 tracks are equal and opposite.
2)the two vocal may not be in phase. Perhaps recorded with a stero microphone or 2 mics. Then this "trick" may not work.
Try another song. It worked for me on the song I choose.
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