How to Isolate Vocals from a Song [6 Simple Ways]
- Last updated on 2024-11-15
Table Of Content
Why Isolating Vocals from a Song Is Useful
Isolating vocals from a song can be highly beneficial for various creative and practical purposes. Here are some key reasons why you might want to do it:
Create Karaoke Tracks
Isolate vocals to make karaoke versions of songs, allowing you to sing along without the original vocals.
Remix Music
With isolated vocals, you can remix songs, adjust the arrangement, and create something new while keeping the original vocal performance.
Create Instrumentals
Isolate the vocals to produce instrumental versions of a song, perfect for background music or performances.
Enhanced Audio Editing
If you're producing your own content, isolating vocals gives you better control over the audio elements, enabling you to make precise edits.
Learning and Practice
Isolating vocals allows musicians and vocalists to study songs in more detail, practicing with just the vocal or instrumental parts.
By isolating vocals from a song, you open up a range of possibilities for creating, editing, and performing music more effectively. Today, we'll explore and evaluate how to isolate vocals from a song using six popular tools offering vocal isolation and removal capabilities. Let's take a look at each of them in detail:
How to Isolate Vocals from a Song with 6 Ways
1. How to Isolate Vocals with UniFab Vocal Remover AI
UniFab Vocal Remover is a free AI-powered tool designed to isolate vocals from any song, providing clean instrumental and vocal files for diverse needs like karaoke, remixing, and content creation. It's easy to use, reliable, and efficient, catering to both beginners and professionals looking to customize their audio experience.
Supported Platforms: Windows
Price: Free
Key Features
- High-Quality Isolation
Delivers precise separation of vocals and instrumentals with high fidelity, ensuring clear, quality audio output.
- Rapid Processing
Separates vocals in seconds with 50x faster GPU acceleration, delivering quick, efficient results.
- Flexible Export Options
Output in video (MP4, MKV, MOV) or audio formats (FLAC, MP3, M4A) to suit your needs.
- Easy-to-Use Interface
Simplified design makes it accessible for all skill levels—no advanced editing skills needed.
- Batch Processing
Process multiple files at once, saving time on large audio collections.
- Versatile Applications
Ideal for karaoke, remixing, background music, and educational use.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Download and Launch UniFab
Double-clicking the UniFab icon and selecting the Free AI > ‘Vocal Remover’ module
Note: In addition to the two free AI tools—Vocal Remover and Video Background Remover—all other UniFab products on the interface offer a 30-day free trial. Each product allows you to process up to 3 videos, with no watermarks or limitations.
Add Your File
Click the ‘Add’ button or drag files to upload video from which you want to isolate vocals.
Make Adjustments
Edit the file as needed, then click ‘Start’. UniFab will process the file quickly.
2. How to Isolate Vocals with Audacity
Audacity is an open-source audio editor ideal for podcasts, music recording, or assembling and converting audio samples. It supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio with built-in dithering. Users can import, mix, and combine stereo, mono, or multitrack audio and render the output seamlessly. Suppose you are wondering how to isolate vocals from a song audacity. In that case, you can utilize its advanced music and audio production features, including real-time effects, a bar-and-beat grid, and time-stretching loops to match tempo.
Supported Platforms: Windows, MacOS & Linux
Price: Free
Pros
A wide array of controls can cater to all your audio editing needs.
It offers basic editing features like fade and cut for users trying to make simple edits.
Cons
It might only remove vocals partially at all times.
Require time and effort to master.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Method 1: Remove Vocals Using the Vocal Reduction Tool
Open Audacity
Launch the Audacity application.
Import Audio
Go to File > Import > Audio, and select the song you want to edit.
Load the Song
Audacity will display the song’s waveform in the editor.
Backup the Song
Click File > Export > Export as MP3 (or WAV if the original file is in that format) to save a backup of the original song.
Save Backup
Name your backup file and click ‘OK.’
Close Original File
Close the original audio file.
Reimport the Backup
Import the newly saved backup file.
Select All
Go to Select > Select All.
Vocal Reduction
Click Effect > Vocal Reduction and Isolation.
Remove Vocals
Under “Action:” select ‘Remove Vocals’ and wait for Audacity to process.
Review Edit
Press ‘Play’ to hear the edited track.
Method 2: Remove Vocals by Splitting Audio Channels
Import Audio
Open Audacity and import your audio file.
Split Channels
Click the ‘Down Arrow’ on the audio title and select ‘Split Stereo to Mono.’
Isolate Tracks
Press ‘Play’ and use the ‘Solo’ button on each track to identify the channel without vocals.
Delete Unwanted Track
Delete the track that does not contain the isolated vocal.
3. How to Isolate Vocals with Garageband
GarageBand from the house of Apple allows users to create, record, and edit music with features that can replace expensive audio equipment and studios. On learning how to isolate vocals from a song garageband, you can bank on this software to transform iPads and iPhones into versatile instruments and recording studios, enabling music creation anywhere. Live Loops lets users craft music like DJs, while Multi-Touch gestures make playing and recording various instruments easy, even for beginners.
Supported Platforms: macOS, iPadOS & iOS
Price: Free
Pros
With support for up to 32 tracks, virtual amps, and a vast Sound Library, GarageBand caters to all musical needs.
Users can share their creations via iCloud, email, or social media and add new tracks remotely to Logic Pro projects.
Cons
The tools come with a steep learning curve.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Case 1: With an Isolated Vocal Track
Open the File
Launch GarageBand, create a new project and import your audio file.
Mute or Delete Vocals
You can silence the vocal track using the "Mute" button in the track controls or select and delete it entirely.
Case 2: Without an Isolated Vocal Track
Open GarageBand and Import File
Launch GarageBand and import the audio file.
Access Smart Controls
Click the "Smart Controls" button in the toolbar.
Enable EQ
In the Smart Controls area, click "Track" and enable the EQ.
Adjust EQ Settings
Use the EQ to remove frequencies between 80 Hz and 3.5 kHz, corresponding to vocal ranges.
4. How to Isolate Vocals with Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X features advanced tools for songwriting, beat-making, editing, and mixing. If you are wondering how to isolate vocals from a song logic Pro X, then you can bank on its spatial audio tools for Dolby Atmos, a Mastering Assistant, MIDI, audio editors, Flex Pitch for vocal tuning, Flex Time for tempo manipulation, and Smart Tempo for automatic BPM matching. Beat production is enhanced with Beat Breaker, Drum Machine Designer, and Step Sequencer. Sampling tools like Sampler and Quick Sampler allow for sophisticated instrument creation.
Supported Platforms: Mac & iPad
Price: $200
Pros
Session Players offer virtual musicians, while a variety of synths, including Alchemy, and creative effects enrich the sound.
The extensive sound library includes over 5,900 patches, 1,200 sampled instruments, and 14,750 Apple Loops.
Cons
It doesn’t offer a free trial.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Import Tracks
Import the vocal and instrumental mix to separate audio tracks, aligning both tracks along the grid.
Apply Phase Inversion
Add Logic’s Gain device to the vocal mix. Now enable the Left and Right Phase Invert buttons.
Export Vocals
Use Logic’s Bounce feature to resample the audio. Select File > Bounce > Project or Section. Select your settings, click OK, and specify the filename and location. Logic will generate a new file of the resampled audio, which you can then drag into your project.
5. How to Isolate Vocals with Ableton
Ableton Live is a comprehensive music creation, production, and performance tool with an intuitive interface and real-time synchronization. As you learn how to isolate vocals from a song, Ableton, you can choose from its vast array of instruments, sounds, kits, loops, and effects, ensuring flexibility for any music genre. The Live 12 Suite features 20 instruments like Meld and Granulator III, 74 audio and MIDI effects including Hybrid Reverb and PitchLoop89, and 14 MIDI tools for innovative pattern creation. Max for Live offers additional community-shared tools and customization options, while instant mappings ensure seamless use with keyboards and controllers.
Supported Platforms: Mac & Windows
Price: Start with the 30-day trial and upgrade to Ableton Live 12 Intro for $99, Live 12 Standard for $439, or Suite for $749.
Pros
It offers 3rd party bolt-ons such as Max4Live.
You can easily find solutions to your doubts courtesy of the big community.
Cons
It lacks mobile support.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Import the Tracks
Import the vocal and instrumental mix into separate audio tracks in the Arrangement View. Ensure that both tracks are perfectly aligned on the grid.
Apply Phase Inversion
Add Live’s Utility device to the vocal mix track. Activate the Phase Inversion for both the Left and Right channels. If done correctly, playing both tracks together should result in only the instrumental being audible.
Record the Isolated Vocals
Create a new audio track to capture the isolated vocals. Choose ‘Resampling’ from the Input Channel selector and arm the track for recording. Then, enable the Arrangement Recording button and start recording.
6. How to Isolate Vocals with FL Studio
Developed by Image-Line, FL Studio is a professional and versatile music production software popular among producers, DJs, and musicians. Renowned for its powerful sequencer, virtual instruments, and effects plugins, it supports various hardware and excels across multiple genres. Suppose you're looking to isolate vocals from a song in FL Studio. In that case, you can use any of its four editions, including lifetime free updates and a free month of FL Cloud for integrated loops and music distribution. As you uncover how to isolate vocals from a song fl studio, you can benefit from a wide array of tools for beginners and advanced users, featuring over 100 instruments, customizable themes, precise waveform analysis, and AI-powered Stem Separation for remixing.
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows and macOS
Price: Start with the free trial with limited features & upgrade to the Fruity edition at $41.80 or the Producer Edition at $119.44.
Pros
You can take your pick from a rich library of plugins and samples that can help in music creation.
License owners can enjoy lifetime updates for free.
Cons
The advanced set of features might not cater to novice users.
Step By Step Guide To Isolate Vocals from Song
Add The Song
Add music to the dashboard by double-clicking on “Playlist.”
Set Up Slot 2 for Vocal Processing
Start by clicking "Add" at the top-right, choosing "Audio Clip" with "Master Send" unchecked, picking the "Fruity Stereo Shaper" in Slot 2, renaming it "Vocal Kill," adjusting sliders, and adding "Maximus" as the default.
Set Up Slot 3 for Bypass
Right-click on Slot 3 and rename it to "Bypass." Choose the "Maximus" effect from the dropdown menu and set it as default.
Configure Vocal Kill Settings
Open the Maximus window under "Vocal Kill." Mute the "LOW" and "HIGH" frequencies and set "MID" compression to off. Activate monitoring by clicking the left button.
Configure Bypass Settings
Open the Maximus window under "Bypass." Mute the "MID" frequencies and set "LOW" and "HIGH" compression to off.
Personalize Dashboard Settings
Click "Add" and select "Dashboard." Expand the dashboard menu, then go to "Add Control" > "Wheel" > "Gray Shiny" to add a control knob. Rename the first knob to "Low Cut" in the "Caption" field, and repeat for the second knob, naming it "High Cut." Lock the settings when done.
Automate Vocal Separation
Automate the "Low Cut" knob by right-clicking "LOW" to create an automation clip assigned to "Dashboard Wheel 1." Repeat for the second Maximus window's "Low Cut." Similarly, automate the "High Cut" knob by right-clicking "HIGH" to create an automation clip assigned to "Dashboard Wheel 2."
Fine-tune Vocal Extraction
While playing the track, adjust the "Low Cut" and "High Cut" knobs on the dashboard to diminish vocals and retain harmonious music. Continuously tweak until the desired balance is achieved throughout the song.
Tips to Isolate Vocals More Effectively
- Use High-Quality Source Material
Start with a high-quality track that has clear separation between vocals and instruments. Low-quality or mixed tracks make it more difficult to isolate vocals effectively.
- AI-Powered Tools
Leverage AI-based tools like UniFab Vocal Remover AI to get better results. AI algorithms are designed to precisely separate vocals from the music, ensuring clearer isolated tracks with minimal artifacts.
- Frequency Range Isolation
Focus on the frequency range where vocals predominantly reside (usually between 300 Hz to 3 kHz). Using a bandpass filter can help isolate this range from other sounds, reducing interference from instruments.
- Use Phase Cancellation
If you have access to the original stereo or multitrack stems, use phase cancellation to remove the instrumental parts of the track. This method works well when the vocals are panned to the center and instruments are panned to the sides.
- Apply EQ
Equalization (EQ) can help further clean up isolated vocals by cutting frequencies where the instrumental sound overlaps, leaving the vocals intact.
- Manual Editing
For better accuracy, some manual editing, such as removing or lowering the volume of overlapping instrumental tracks in certain parts, may be necessary.
By combining AI tools and advanced audio processing techniques, you can achieve high-quality vocal isolation with minimal distortion or loss of clarity.
Conclusion
Today, we've delved into vocal removal and isolation, exploring six powerful tools for extracting or eliminating vocals from any audio track. Whether your goal is to create remixes, produce karaoke tracks, or highlight the instrumental elements of a song, knowinghow to isolate vocals from a song can enhance your creative potential to greater heights.
FAQs
What software can isolate vocals for free?
UniFab Vocal Remover AI is a free tool for isolating vocals. The intuitive interface makes it easy for users of all skill levels to separate vocals and instrumentals quickly. With advanced AI and GPU acceleration, the software ensures high-quality results in no time. It's perfect for karaoke, remixes, and creating background music.
How can I make my isolated vocals sound better?
To enhance your isolated vocals, you can use UniFab Audio Upmix AI, which upmixes your audio to premium EAC3 5.1 or DTS 7.1 surround sound. The AI intelligently distributes sound across different channels, improving the overall depth and quality of the vocals and creating a fuller, more immersive listening experience.