Do you want to make karaoke tracks? You can learn how to remove vocal lines from a song so that only the instrument remains. While it's hard to do without muting the song, there are a variety of tips and techniques you can try to get the best audio quality.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Eliminating the Middle Channel
Step 1. Use a high quality audio track
If you're using a low-quality audio file for software editing, the end result won't sound as good when you try to output it either. You must start with a.wav or.flac file. The result will be clearer than a highly compressed.mp3 file.
Step 2. Find the vocals in the music
The stereo tracks all have two separate channels, with instruments and vocals spread over both. Bass, guitar, and other channels will usually be pushed to one side or another, while vocals are usually placed in the "middle channel". This is done so that the vowel sounds "in the middle". To isolate them, separate these middle channels and flip one over.
- How do you find out where the vowel is? Just listen with high quality headphones. If the vocals seem to come out of both channels at the same time, it means the vocals are mixed in the middle. Otherwise the vocals are on the side you can hear.
- Certain styles of music and recording will have a different balance between the channels. If the vocals are shifted to one channel or another instead of "in the middle," removing them will be easier to do.
- Songs with multiple effects will be more difficult to separate and reverse. There may be slight vocal echoes that are difficult to remove.
Step 3. Import the audio to the editing software of your choice
This basic process can be done using any editing program that allows you to reverse tracks for a specific channel. Although the exact location of the tools for each program will vary somewhat, the basic process is the same for the following programs:
- Audacity
- Pro Tools
- Ableton
- Reason
Step 4. Break the channel into separate tracks
In most programs, you can split a high-quality sound file recorded in stereo into two tracks. You'll find a black arrow next to the track title, which you can click on before selecting, "Split Stereo Track." Now you have separate channels to work on individually.
Step 5. Select a channel to reverse
Since both tracks have vocals, choose one. Double click to select the entire track if you want to get rid of the vocals of the entire song.
Step 6. Reverse the channel
After you select the track, flip it using the " Effect " function and select " Invert ". The song may sound a bit strange after playing. Once reversed, the track should sound like it's coming from the side, rather than the middle.
You should still be able to hear some of the vocals, but don't worry. You will finish the effect when the sound is reflected back to mono
Step 7. Convert the file back to mono
Merge two stereo channels back into one channel. Now you have one combination track that has more amplitude reduction. That is, the vocals will be set aside and the instrumentation will be usable. You can still hear the singer's voice very faintly in the background.
Method 2 of 3: Using Custom Software
Step 1. Choose a vocal removal program
This program can be obtained via the internet at various prices. Some vocal removal programs are free to download, but most must be purchased. Each software provides a program installation guide. Here are some programs that you can try at various prices:
- Vocal Remover Pro
- IPE MyVoice Karaoke
- Roland R-MIX
- E-Media MyVoice
- WaveArts Dialogue
Step 2. Install audio equalizer software
This program is not available for free and can only be purchased. An installation guide will be provided with the packaging. Make sure this audio remover is compatible with the computer operating system and the sound file you are using. Some audio equalizer programs include:
- Profound Sound CSharp
- APO Equalizer
- Graphic Equalizer Pro
- Boom 2
Step 3. Open the song file and follow the instructions
How each program works is different so look for the usage tutorial that comes with the program to guide you. This process is quite easy, especially in software made specifically to help users record karaoke tracks. The software will remove the audio track automatically.
Using the equalizer, you usually just need to open the audio equalizer software and play the music file you want to edit. The audio equalizer will remove the audio track automatically
Step 4. Set the audio equalizer to maintain the bass tone
To make sure the song doesn't lose bass, you'll need to make some adjustments. Set the signal attenuation to +5 dB at 200 Hz and below on the left and right channels. This step will preserve the bass tone.
Method 3 of 3: Reversing Speaker Phase
Step 1. Understand the concept of channel phase
Two sound waves moving up and down together are said to be "in phase". When one wave is moving up at the same time as the other is moving down, both waves are said to be “out of phase”. The out-of-phase waves cancel each other out resulting in a flat-lined sound. Inverting the phase of one speaker will cancel the match of the wave signal on the other speaker.
The efficiency of this technique is still debated. In theory this technique could work, but not as a way to save a song file without vocals
Step 2. Locate the cable leading to the back of one speaker
Each speaker is usually connected with two wires, one positive wire and one negative wire. Usually the color is red and white, red black, or white and black. There is also a black black. Interchange the two wires that go into one loudspeaker.
- Connect the red wire to where the black wire should be, and connect the black wire to where the black wire should be.
- Many modern stereo systems and common speakers don't allow you to swap cables on the back side of either speaker. Sometimes the two cables are bundled into one cable. The only way to swap bundled wires is to unscrew them or re-solder the connectors.
Step 3. Use a digital phase processor
There is a special digital technique called Digital Signal Processors for reversing the waves in stereo or hi-fi. Usually this button is the "Karaoke" button, which reverses one side of the phase of the stereo image.
If your stereo or app has it, just press this button and the Main Vocals will become very faint or disappear
Step 4. Adjust the level to compensate for the loss of vocals
Background vowels are often mixed more to the left or right, making it difficult to remove. You'll need to sing along to these vocals and consider them your backing singer, if you're trying to make a karaoke track.
- Inverting the phase greatly affects the Bass wave. So, Bass can disappear with Main Vocals. The Digital DSP Karaoke system will fix this by inverting the phase only at the Vocal frequencies. Try adjusting the stereo level for the right sound.
- Advanced vocal canceling systems or programs allow you to determine the frequency that is reversed out of phase.
