How to Remove Vocals from a Song in Audacity [Step-by-Step Guide]

Learn how to remove vocals from a song in Audacity. Our step-by-step guide walks you through the process in detail and provides you with 3 different ways for your diverse needs.

Page Table of Contents

Dawn Tang

Updated on Aug 30, 2023

0Views|0min read

How to remove vocals from a song in Audacity? This is a common question asked by Audacity users, who may be familiar with the process but have a hard time when the most used methods fail. This post is meant to give step-to-step instructions onhow to remove vocals from a songusing this tool in 3 different ways, so users can make an informative decision if the current way doesn't work out as expected.

Methods Effectiveness Difficulty
Using the Vocal Reduction and Isolation Effect The most common way works for most songs. 容易
Using Split Stereo to Mono A way works for stereo tracks with vocals mixed into one channel. 容易
Using Noise Reduction A new way of using noise reduction to get a clear vocal removal. 容易

3 Easiest Ways to Remove Vocals from a Song Audacity

Next, we will discuss three easy methods toremove vocals from recordingtracks in Audacity. These techniques offer practical ways to isolate or eliminate vocals, giving you more flexibility in working with your audio tracks. Let's explore these step-by-step approaches.

Environment:I'm using the newest 3.3.3 version of Audacity on Windows 11.

✨Using the Vocal Reduction and Isolation Effect

The first technique in Audacity involves the vocal reduction and isolation feature ofthe Nyquist plugin. Vocal reduction and isolation in Audacity returns a stereo output. It also lets you define specific frequencies to avoid removing other elements like bass or Hi-hat unintentionally.

This method works for the majority of songs and returns the stereo output, but it is not always successful in completely removing vocals and can unintentionally remove other audio elements along with the vocals.

Here is a guide video onseparating music from vocals在无畏。

5 key moments:

  • From 00:00 Tutorial Start
  • From 00:07 Check out my courses
  • From 00:25 Getting Started
  • From 01:10 Voice Reduction and Isolation
  • From 02:11 Wrap up

Step 1.Download the open Audacity.

audacity main interface

Step 2.Go to "File" > "Import" > "Audio" to select the song.

import song audacity

Step 3.Click "File" > "Export" > "Export asMP3/WAV/OGG…" to keep a backup. Name it and click "OK".

export song

Step 4.Click "Close" on the original audio track and import the newly exported file.

close the original song audacity

Step 5.Click "Select" > "All".

select all audacity

Step 6.Click "Effect" > "Special" > "Vocal Reduction and Isolation" > "Action" > "Remove Vocals".

vocal removal and reduction

Tip
You can use the Nyquist plugin effect and choose the option "Remove Center Classic (Mono)" to automate the effect here, which removes the entire frequency spectrum of center-panned audio and results in a dual mono track. But still, "Remove Vocals" is preferred.

Step 7.Click "Play" to listen to the result.

play-audacity

Share these newest ways to remove vocals in Audacity in 2023 with your friends.

Using Split Stereo to Mono

For stereo tracks with vocals mixed into one channel and other elements in the other channel, split the stereo track into left and right channels, make both mono, and delete the respective channel to isolate or remove vocals accordingly. However, it may remove more than just vocals and can leave artifacts or incomplete vocal removal, especially with backing vocals or reverb.

It has fewer steps compared to the first method and removes the complete vocal removal if vocals are in a separate channel, but it is not effective for the majority of audio.

Step 1.In Audacity, go to "File" > "Import" > "Audio" to select the song.

import song audacity

Step 2.Click the down arrow on the music name.

down arrow audacity

Step 3.Choose "Split Stereo to Mono".

split stereo to mono audacity

Step 4.Click "Play" > "Solo" for each track to check if there is a solo vocal on either channel.

Play solo audacity

Step 5.Click×删除没有孤立的声音。

delete

Using Noise Reduction

In Audacity, you can possibly isolate vocals by using Noise Reduction. Capture the noise profile from a vocal-removed song and apply it to the original mix to reduce noise and isolate vocals.

In this way, you'll get a clearer version of the instrument by reducing noise in the vocals but success cannot be guaranteed in all cases.

Step 1.Back up the original audio track. Choose the whole track, right-click the empty space to select "Copy", then go to "Tracks" > "Add New" > "Stereo Track" to create a new track, and "Paste" it.

add new track

Step 2.Select the whole copied track and click "Effect" > "Special" > "Vocal Reduction and Isolation".

vocal removal and reduction

Step 3.然后choose "Effect" > "Noise Removal and Repair" > "Noise Reduction…" > "Get Noise Profile".

noise profile

Step 4.Select the original track and click "Effect" > "Noise Removal and Repair" > "Noise Reduction…" > "OK".

noise reduction

Step 5.Click×to delete the copied track.

delete

How to Remove Vocals from a Song with Audacity Alternative

However, there is no universal technique that works on all stereo tracks, in fact, Audacity doesn't allow you to remove or isolate vocals from all types of songs. So, a reliable and compatible alternative is necessary.

EaseUS Online Vocal Remover is an AI-poweredfree online vocal remover网络用户,适用于几乎所有的音频mats like MP3, M4A, M4R, AIFF, APE, FLAC, ACS, AAC, OGG, etc. and applies a unified approach to handle various genres of stereo songs.

It enables independent download of vocals and music tracks for karaoke. Besides the app version of this vocal remover, EaseUS VideoKit, thisAI vocal remover for PCsupports video editing, conversion, compression, audio extraction and convention, and more. The following is the easy vocal removal process of EaseUS Online Vocal Remover.

Step 1.Click the "Select my file", and choose your song or audio file to be uploaded.

upload files

Step 2.By AI algorithm, all the vocals in the audio will be recognized automatically and then separated from the music in seconds.

AI algorithm

Step 3.Once vocals are extracted, audition the audio, and then download the extracted Karaoke, instrumental sound, or background music.

download files

Final Thoughts

This page outlines techniques that can remove or isolate vocals (or other parts) from stereo tracks in Audacity. However, there is no foolproof method without access to the original multi-track recordings. Each track may require unique techniques for optimal attenuation or isolation.

Thus, using another trustworthy alternative to Audacity settles problems. EaseUS Online Vocal Remover offers a smooth vocal removal experience without format limitations and an intuitive user interface for easy workflow.

How to Remove Vocals from a Song in Audacity FAQs

1. How do you remove vocals from a song?

There are manybest vocal removersin the market for you to choose from, say, the open-source tool Audacity in this article, the best vocal remover for Windows users, EaseUS Online Vocal Remover, and many more.

2. Why can't I remove vocals in Audacity?

This is because Audacity vocal remover is not working, and here's what you can do:

  • Check and adjust vocal reverb settings to the middle of the bar in Audacity's Effects > Reverb menu.
  • If vocal remover fails, modify room size, dampening, or reverberance settings.
  • Use the Noise Profile option in Effect > Noise Profile to remove unnecessary noise.
  • Adjust strength, low cut, and high cut parameters in Vocal Reduction & Isolation window for vocal remover efficacy.
  • Update or uninstall and reinstall Audacity software to resolve bugs and errors.
  • If vocals are hard-mixed in a single channel, split the stereo track, delete a vocal channel, and invert the remaining channel for vocal removal.

3. How do I separate parts of a track in Audacity?

  • Import the target audio.
  • Click the time shift tool (F5) to drag the file.
  • Click the selection tool (F1) to select the desired part.
  • Go to "Edit" > "Clip Boundaries" > "Split".

EaseUS VideoKit

所有- - -in-one Video and Auido Tool

Be Creative Now!

Our Team

  • Daisy

    Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working in EaseUS for over ten years, starting from a technical writer to a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over 10 years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.…
    Read full bio
  • Myra

    Myra joined EaseUS in 2017. As a big fan of Apple products, she mainly focuses on iOS data transfer and iOS troubleshooting tips. Meanwhile, she is expanding her knowledge and skills in other fields like data recovery and disk management. Myra is open-minded and likes both extensive and intensive reading. Other than reading and writing, she is also fond of mobile games and K-pop stars.…
    Read full bio
  • Sofia Albert

    Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to read my articles and for visiting the EaseUS website. I hope you find my articles are helpful. Have a nice day!…
    Read full bio
  • Jane Zhou

    Jane is an experienced editor for EaseUS focused on tech blog writing. Familiar with all kinds of video editing and screen recording software on the market, she specializes in composing posts about recording and editing videos. All the topics she chooses are aimed at providing more instructive information to users.…
    Read full bio
  • Melissa Lee

    Melissa is a sophisticated editor for EaseUS in tech blog writing. She is proficient in writing articles related to multimedia tools including screen recording, voice changing, video editing, and PDF file conversion. Also, she's starting to write blogs about data security, including articles about data recovery, disk partitioning, data backup, etc.…
    Read full bio
  • Jean

    Jean has been working as a professional website editor for quite a long time. Her articles focus on topics of computer backup, data security tips, data recovery, and disk partitioning. Also, she writes many guides and tutorials on PC hardware & software troubleshooting. She keeps two lovely parrots and likes making vlogs of pets. With experience in video recording and video editing, she starts writing blogs on multimedia topics now.…
    Read full bio
  • Gorilla

    Gorilla joined EaseUS in 2022. As a smartphone lover, she stays on top of Android unlocking skills and iOS troubleshooting tips. In addition, she also devotes herself to data recovery and transfer issues.…
    Read full bio
  • Jerry

    "Hi readers, I hope you can read my articles with happiness and enjoy your multimedia world!"…
    Read full bio
  • Larissa

    Larissa has rich experience in writing technical articles. After joining EaseUS, she frantically learned about data recovery, disk partitioning, data backup, multimedia, and other related knowledge. Now she is able to master the relevant content proficiently and write effective step-by-step guides on related issues.…
    Read full bio
  • Rel

    Rel has always maintained a strong curiosity about the computer field and is committed to the research of the most efficient and practical computer problem solutions.…
    Read full bio
  • Gemma

    Gemma is member of EaseUS team and has been committed to creating valuable content in fields about file recovery, partition management, and data backup etc. for many years. She loves to help users solve various types of computer related issues.…
    Read full bio
  • Dawn Tang

    Dawn Tang is a seasoned professional with a year-long record of crafting informative Backup & Recovery articles. Currently, she's channeling her expertise into the world of video editing software, embodying adaptability and a passion for mastering new digital domains.…
    Read full bio
  • Sasha

    Sasha is a girl who enjoys researching various electronic products and is dedicated to helping readers solve a wide range of technology-related issues. On EaseUS, she excels at providing readers with concise solutions in audio and video editing.…
    Read full bio