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Topic: Extracting vocals from song (Read 7573 times) previous topic - next topic
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Extracting vocals from song

I want to extract the vocals from a song and in turn use it to remove the vocals from that same song. There are portions of the song which contain no vocals but with the same instrumentals. Is it possible to use the non-vocal part as a "profile" of the frequencies to remove from the song? Once the vocals are extracted I wish to use the same technique to remove the vocals from the song by using the vocals again as a "profile" for the frequencies to remove from the original song.

I know it sounds kind of complicated but I explained it the best that I can. I tried using the noise removal effect in audacity to achieve this but it ended up removing too much sound frequencies (apparently the noise removal effect cannot be used in this manner). Also, too many of the instruments are center panned to use the built in vocal remover effect in audacity.

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #1 –
Quote from: zowki on
Is it possible to use the non-vocal part as a "profile" of the frequencies to remove from the song? Once the vocals are extracted I wish to use the same technique to remove the vocals from the song by using the vocals again as a "profile" for the frequencies to remove from the original song.

No, you can't do this, even with CEP/Au for obvious reasons

Search for vocal cut or strip in above right search box, you'll find lot of info how to use mid/side channels to do this or just use some program, but result is far from perfect.

You could try finding midi files for the track of your interest and result with more success than using any of the products out there

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #2 –
Quoting myself -
Quote
"You can't un-fry and egg or un-bake a cake, and you can't un-mix a song."


Professionals use multitrack recording to record all of the voices & instruments on separate tracks (often at different times).  They can add/remove/adjust each track independently during the mix-down.    Once the tracks are mixed, even the pros cannot separate the tracks. 

You can add your own voice/instrument to a recording, but other than the left-right subtraction trick or equalization/filtering you can't remove or adjust a particular voice/instrument.  (EQ & filtering won't work  because the frequency ranges of the various instruments/vocals overlap....  Perhaps you can remove the bass & bass-drum together...)

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #3 –
Quote from: zowki on
I want to extract the vocals from a song and in turn use it to remove the vocals from that same song.


I want to win the lottery. We have about equal chances of finding happiness that way. ;-)

Quote
There are portions of the song which contain no vocals but with the same instrumentals.


If there is enough of that, you might be able to edit it into a full accompaniment for the song?

Quote
Is it possible to use the non-vocal part as a "profile" of the frequencies to remove from the song?


Yes, but if you know anything about music, you know why it can't work very well.

People often sing the same notes that the instruments play. Often the fundamental frequencies and many of the harmonics are the identical same frequencies. They don't have "instrumental" and "vocal" marked on them in any useful way. Filter out one and you filter out the other!

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #4 –
Quote from: zowki on
I want to extract the vocals from a song and in turn use it to remove the vocals from that same song.


You already got good advice, but I'll add a bit. First, this article explain the steps using typical audio editing software:

The Truth About Vocal Eliminators

Also, an even better way is possible if you have a receiver that can decode Dolby ProLogic. When you feed stereo music to a Dolby Receiver set for Surround mode, it sends stuff in the middle to the center speaker outputs, and keeps the left and right content intact. So this can not only give you a stereo mix sans vocals (and probably sans bass and kick drum), but also gives you a vocals-only feed. If your receiver offers line-level outputs as well as speaker outputs, all the better.

--Ethan
I believe in Truth, Justice, and the Scientific Method

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #5 –
My PC has Realtek HD audio
One of the "enhancements" is voice cancellation.
Never tried it

TheWellTemperedComputer.com

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #6 –
The only options which will get you a seperated vocal or instrument track:

1. If you want a song's vocals and the song is on a game from the Rockband or Guitar Hero series, you can actually download the multitracks ripped from the games but I will not mention how or where because that would violate TOS.

2. Ask the record companies(0.00000000001%) of actually getting what you want though.

3. Get a bunch of people to petition for an actual release of instrument/backing tracks for sale.

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #7 –
Quote from: d_headshot on
The only options which will get you a seperated vocal or instrument track:


4. Find a good bar band that covers the group(s) you are interested in and induce them to play for you while you record it.
 

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #8 –
For experimenting: Gnarls Barkleys first album has two songs with duplicates without the voice track.

Extracting vocals from song

Reply #10 –
If you like painstaking editing with no guarantee of success, you could try this program:
http://photosounder.com/