How to Remove Music from a Song and Keep Only the Vocals – The Definitive Guide

Removing music from a song to isolate the vocals is a common task for many professionals and hobbyists. If you have been searching for tools to do this for free, you might be disappointed to learn that it is not entirely free and requires some technical expertise. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve this task with a fair amount of accuracy.

Why is Vocal Removal Software Not Free?

Although there are several software tools available that can help you remove music from a song, they are usually not free because of the complex algorithms and intensive research and development that go into creating such tools. Companies like Steinberg, which developed SpectraLayers, invest heavily in RD to offer advanced audio separation functionalities, which they cannot give away for free. These tools are often marketed and sold to professionals in the music industry who require this function for their work.

The Process of Removing Music from a Song

If you still want to remove the music from a track and keep only the vocals, it is possible to do so with the right software and a bit of technical knowledge. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Download and Use a Vocal Removing App

To find a suitable vocal removing app or program, consider downloading software like AudioHijack, VocalRemover, or other alternatives. These tools can help isolate the vocals from the music by removing the instrumental parts. Once you have the app, follow the instructions to remove vocals from your song. This step may require some trial and error, as not all apps work perfectly, and different songs may yield different results.

Step 2: Import the Clean Vocals into Your DAW

After removing the vocals, import the processed audio into your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). If you are using Audacity, which has vocal removing capability, bring the audio into Audacity. Ensure that the project is set up to handle the new audio track.

Step 3: Line Up the Vocal and Music Tracks

Import the original track with vocals as a separate track in your DAW. Expand the waveform view to line up the two tracks accurately. If the tracks are not lined up perfectly, the result might be less clear. Look for specific wave patterns, such as snare hits, to use as a lineup guide. If lucky, the tracks might align perfectly from the start.

Tips for Accurate Line-Up

Zoom in as much as possible to see individual waveforms. Look for specific impulses, such as snares or cymbal hits, to align the tracks accurately. Listen to the tracks as you adjust them to ensure they are in sync.

Step 4: Cancel Out the Music Using Phase Inversion

To cancel out the music and isolate the vocals, phase invert one of the tracks without vocals. Here’s how to do it in Audacity:

Select the track without vocals. Go to M_door > Effects > Change Phases. Choose Reverse or Invert and click OK. Play the tracks together. The music should cancel out, and you should be left with just the vocals.

Ensure you turn your master volume back up after phase inversion to get the best sound quality.

Final Adjustments

After the vocal track has been isolated, there might be some residual music or vocal elements left. To remove any remaining elements, consider additional processing using EQ, noise reduction, or other editing tools in your DAW. This will help clean up the final result and make the vocals clearer and more distinct.

Tools and Software Recommendations

Besides the software mentioned earlier, here are some other tools and software you might find useful for audio editing and vocal removal:

Adobe Audition Bam Audio FabFilter Pro-Q 3 DAFX

Remember, the effectiveness of these tools can vary, and some require some level of technical knowledge to use effectively. If you are a beginner, it might be helpful to start with simpler tools and gradually move to more advanced software as you gain experience.

Conclusion

While it’s challenging to remove the music from a song and keep only the vocals for free, it is possible with the right tools and a bit of patience. Investing in the right software or seeking out free alternative tools can help you achieve the desired results. Professional-grade tools, although costing money, offer more advanced features and accuracy, which can be worth the investment for serious audio editors.