Cutting out Instrumentals

[StefamFAli]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if it was possible to cut out the instrumentals from an audio file. So far I've been able to successfully cut out the vocals and what I'm left with is exactly what I want to remove, it's the reverse that's giving me hell to figure out. And if it's not possible with Audacity (I understand it's a complex thing to do) could anyone recommend a program that could help me further?
~Thanks for reading, Stefan.

[kozikowski]

Some of these claim to be able to do Vocal Isolation.

Voice Removal or Isolation
--Center Pan Remover (Voice Remover--Search the page for "Center Pan Remover")
http://audacityteam.org/download/nyquistplugins
--Voice Trap
http://www.cloneensemble.com/vt_main.htm
--Extra Boy
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1651.html
--Kn0ck0ut
http://www.freewebs.com/st3pan0va/

Koz

[Irish]

You could try this trick:

Import the original file as track 1
Import your "Instrumental version" with the vocal removed as track 2
select track 2 and do Effect > Invert.
When you play both tracks together, you should have the original minus the instrumental.

The result is unlikely to be perfect, but if you're happy that the vocal has been completely removed in the "instrumental version" you may be one of the lucky ones.

PO'L

[steve]

You could try this trick:

Import the original file as track 1
Import your "Instrumental version" with the vocal removed as track 2
select track 2 and do Effect > Invert.
When you play both tracks together, you should have the original minus the instrumental.

The result is unlikely to be perfect, but if you're happy that the vocal has been completely removed in the "instrumental version" you may be one of the lucky ones.

PO'L

If the version with vocals removed has been created in the usual way of inverting one channel and mixing with the other, then this "trick" will not work.

A much simplified explanation of why it won't work.

Original audio:
Left stereo = Left + Centre
Right stereo = Right + Centre

Audio after removing "vocals"
Left channel = (Left + Centre) - (Right + Centre) = Left - Right
Right channel = (Left + Centre) - (Right + Centre) = Left - Right

Applying your trick
Track 1 = Left + Centre
Track 2 = Left - Right
.... you can drive yourself crazy trying to find the "correct" combination, but there isn't one.

[Irish]

Oops!

That's what comes of posting in a hurry without thinking things through.

PO'L