How to get rid of vocals from a song

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 13 May 2001 10:01 am

I mentioned something about this in another thread (as an off-hand remark), and got a few emails about how it's done.

So, in case others are interested, I'll post the general idea (taken from one of my email replies) of how it's done.

Note, I use CoolEdit -- I'm sure other programs can do this, too. Also, for those of you with Roland VS-880's, there's a function that can do this.

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The program you need is CoolEdit, at www.syntrillium.com

Basically, the concept is that you subtract the left track from the right track. This eliminates anything that's panned dead center. (note, you only get a mono file).

Typically, you also have to apply a high-cut to strip off everything but the bass (or as close as you can get) -- because the bass is also panned dead center most of the time. Save that high-cut as a separate file, then add it back on top of the Left minus Right track to add back in the bass.

How well it works depends in large part on how old the recording is. On older recordings, it works amazingly well. On newer stuff, you're left with a lot of the reverb of the lead singer. It seems that newer reverbs (electronic units) don't pan the reverb dead-center, but give it some sort of stereo spread as well. It's kinda aggravating, but isn't too bad for if you're using it as karaoke tracks (and singing close to the same way the original singer did it). For a rhythm track, it'd be more annoying.

I haven't done it in a while, but that's the basic idea.

Give it a whirl, and if you have any other questions, let me know, and I'l do what I can to answer.

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

erik · Post by **erik** » 14 May 2001 5:34 pm

Wow, that sounds laborious. I just use my Boss TM-7 and do it realtime.

I can drop vocals, or bass, or both, and pan left/right (in mono).

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 May 2001 6:04 pm

Sure, but how do you eliminate vocals from the drunken chick singer who stumbles onto the stage and wants to sing "Crazy" for the umpteenth time that night?

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 14 May 2001 7:15 pm

Unplug the mic.

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 14 May 2001 8:54 pm

Hey Cohen, somebody finally got you for a change!

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 15 May 2001 6:46 am

I always unplug the mic if the vocalist doesn't have an "acceptable tone".

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 May 2001 9:45 am

I guess if they are "push-pull" vocals you'd want to keep them.???

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 May 2001 9:50 am

Thanks for sharing, Jim.