Creating a backing track with Audacity

[TomVAtkinson]

I know there is a way to remove vocals with Audacity. However, is there a way to remove the guitar track from a song? I'm wanting to create a backing track that cannot be found anywhere. I have the capacity to import the file from the CD to another software that converts it to an mp3. I then have no trouble removing the vocal track, but can't find any way to remove the guitar track (which i want to add with my own spin on the song). Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[kozikowski]

I know there is a way to remove vocals with Audacity.

There are vocal removal tools that rarely work as well as people want. There is an enormous list of music shortcomings that kill these tools. I'm surprised that you got the process to work with an MP3 file. Typically, MP3 compression artifacts and damage kills vocal removal.

Simple Vocal Removal works by managing left versus right. Anything common vanishes -- like the singer in the middle between the two speakers. Also usually bass and drums. If the guitar isn't in the middle, then that's game over.

There are software packages that claim to be able to pick a stereo direction other than "the middle" and manage all the instruments in that direction. Like remove all the violins half-left in the orchestra.

I think one of these claims they can do this.

--Voice Trap
http://www.cloneensemble.com/vt_main.htm
--Extra Boy
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1651.html
--Kn0ck0ut
http://www.freewebs.com/st3pan0va/


It wouldn't surprise me if one tool will kill the others. Audacity Vocal Removal gives you a mono show, not stereo and that typically kills the other tools.

Koz

[TomVAtkinson]

Thanks Koz, do you know how to import a file from a commerical CD into Audacity without converting it to an mp3? I have a software program that will convert audio files (commerical and non-commerical) into several formats. I just always assumed that the mp3 was the best one to convert it to. Never really tried it with the others. When I try to import an audio file from a commerically produced CD audacity gives me an error message that says, something to the effect, this type of file import is not supported, convert file and then import.

Thanks again for such a quick response.

Tom

[waxcylinder]

Just use some CD ripping software to rip the tracks or required track to a WAV file and then import the WAV file into Audacity. There are a few CD's around which have copy protection on them - in this case you can't rip the CD (but in this case you can play it and record it into Audacity).

WC

[TomVAtkinson]

It is Wav files that I can't get Audacity to import. Or, at least the last time I tried. I'll try it again, maybe I was doing something wrong and didn't spot it. Thanks again.

[waxcylinder]

I recall seeing several postings in the past about failures to load WAV files - and in all cases when the files were examined they turned out not to be true WAV files - are you sure you have/had proper WAVs (and just because the extension says .WAV it doesn't necessarily mean it's a WAV.

WC