Is there a way to remove or mute a vocal track or a lead instrument melody from a CD so I can use as a backing track?

Thanks...RWHorn

Hi RWHorn,

I did a search on the web and found several software approaches to this.

Search results for "Vocal Remover"

I hope that helps.

Hi ST,

Thanks for the links! I have searched the web before and have seen the vocal removal software but didn't know how well it works. It looks like it is a resonable price to pay to see how it will work. I've got some Kenny G and Chris Botti CD's I would like to try.

Thanks again...

Check this out,

http://www.samash.com/webapp/w...0052_10002_-49996241

O..

Hi Rw,

I have tried ALL manner of hardware and software vocal eliminators, costing hundreds of dollars.
None of them do a very good job.
Currently, I bought Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio with the Izotope vocal eliminator plugin ($39), a good one, it is only marginally effective.

However, how well the vocal can be removed is a matter of the engineer's mix of the song.
Some can turn out pretty decent.

Eliminators remove the *Center* information, where the vocal typically is located.
Also in the center is bass, kick, and snare drum...they will all get removed as well.

Additionally, the vocal is often doubled and panned to the sides, so removing middle is only partially effective.

Then you have echos and reverb that remain after the removal...so, it's difficult for any software to remove the vocal completely.

I have made do with tracks I've processed myself, and they got us by.
The clients generally were not audiophiles who cared about the backing music quality.
But it sure bugged me.

Best bet is to go to Amazon.com who is accumulating a pretty good stock of Karaoke tunes,
down-loadable individually, no need to buy whole CDs like in the past.

Best,
Pete

Hi Pete...Thanks for the feedback and saving me some money!! I've had good luck with some nice backing tracks on iTunes. I have to be quite selective on the trax I hear before I download but there are some good ones out there.

Take care,
Richard

I concur with Drumr. The things that say they do it, don't.
There are online newsgroups where you can download Karaoke tracks. You have to kind of pick and choose and I'm not sure how legal it is to download them. Karaoke tracks would be your best bet outside of having a band do it.

What tracks do you need? Who knows, maybe it'd be something that someone here could play...?

Thanks Brywool for the advice! Don't have any particular tracks...just curious on sources and what other solo acts are doing. I've got a good start on tracks from iTunes and can't beat the price of 99 cents and they sound great. Some of the tracks sound like from the original artist but w/o the lead vocal.

Thanks again,
Richard