Splitting Stereo tracks to isolate vocals

[elmo66]

Have a stereo track I would like to split. Manual says (I am new to audacity) choose "split audio track" from the track dropdown - but I don't seem to have this option.
I only seem to have "stereo track to mono" and I really wants to to split to double mono. Is there any way I can do this?

[Gale Andrews]

Please, tell us your version of Audacity (all three numbers, see the pink panel at the top of the page).

The current Audacity 2.1.2 from http://audacityteam.org/download/windows has Split Stereo to Mono in the Audio Track Dropdown Menu. Don't look in the Tracks menu - this choice is not there.


Gale

[elmo66]

Hi guys

I am on Windows 10 (unfortunately) and have upgraded to Audacity 2.1.2.

What I am sneakily trying to do is isolate a vocal from a stereo track - I know I can't get all of the background music out, but I want to try and reduce the background music, bring up the vocal, and mix with another stereo track. It is to showcase a mix of two songs to give to the band playing at my wedding. The manual for audacity says "Split Stereo track" from the track dropdown - but this option is not there. Is there another way I can split the stereo to double mono (which is apparently the best way to do this). I am new to audacity so am learning as I go along (this is day 1) you may have a better suggestion for doing this and I am open to offers. Many thanks elmo66

[Gale Andrews]

Have you read the reply you were given? http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 36#p297136.

Split Stereo to Mono splits to two mono tracks (what you appear to be asking for). Split Stereo Track splits to Left and Right.

See http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/tu ... ation.html.


Gale

[elmo66]

You guys are amazing. I am new to all this so may be asking quite a lot of stupid questions. I apologize if it gets annoying.

Got to split the tracks as I wanted - but it didn't have the desired effect. I'm not a sound engineer and am working through progressively. Would welcome any other ideas for lifting a vocal from a stereo track - I'm no a professional and it is for my own amusement. Am loving the programme, it is the best I've used yet. Many thanks. elmo66

[elmo66]

Thanks. I did follow the instructions posted and it again didn't work - it is probably the original track I'm using. Again, any other ideas welcome. I have also had a very long day and I've spent a long time on this. Packing in for the night and back tomorrow. Thanks again guys - am loving the programme, even though I am frustrated

[Gale Andrews]

No commands involving the Track DropDown Menu or any built in effect are going to give you clean isolated vocals if the vocals are not panned in the middle.

Have you tried the Isolate choice in Effect > Vocal Reduction and Isolation? This would be the obvious first step to try (the result will be dual mono).

If Isolate does not help, you might save time by posting a small sample of the vocals-with-background so we can hear it. See How to post an audio sample.


Gale

[elmo66]

Am attaching sample as requested - still just trying to bring the audio out as much as I possibly can. I'm quite aware I will have some of the music in there - but I'd like to drag as much of the vocal to the front as possible. Thanks guys, for all your help, you really are amazing

[Robert J. H.]

Am attaching sample as requested - still just trying to bring the audio out as much as I possibly can. I'm quite aware I will have some of the music in there - but I'd like to drag as much of the vocal to the front as possible. Thanks guys, for all your help, you really are amazing

Well, I think Gale meant a sample of the original and not the processed one.

What settings did you use (I'm assuming you did it with "Vocal Reduction and Isolation").

Robert

[elmo66]

Ah yes. Stupid of me. I'll attach the unprocessed file here. And yes, was using vocal isolation.

Thanks again for all your help guys

elmo66