Syntrillium Backup Forums :: View topic

SVTRanger · Posted - Sun Mar 11, 2001 9:54 pm

hey iam using cool edit pro and new to it how do i cut just the vocals out of a song

fudge · Posted - Sun Mar 11, 2001 11:01 pm

Good question. To my knowledge, it is not possible, without totally messing up the rest of the track. If there is anyone who knows how to do that, please let us know.

syneryder · Posted - Sun Mar 11, 2001 11:31 pm

It is possible to do this if the vocals are panned to the exact centre of the mix, and the part you want to keep is *not* in the centre. You want to use the Channel Mixer and the Vocal Cut preset.

For info on using it and why it doesn't work with all songs, check out this FAQ page:

http://support.syntrillium.com/faqDetail.html?64

goofyguy · Posted - Tue Mar 13, 2001 7:48 am

It is impossible to cut vocals out of the mix. You can always try "Vocal Cut" -preset of Channel Mixer but you should remember that it cuts EVERYTHING panned on centre. Usually vocals are panned on centre but there are lots of other vital instruments panned on centre, too. Bass drums, snare drums, bass quitars - they are normally always panned on centre. Many times hihats and some percussions may be panned on centre too. Keyboards, synths and guitars are normally panned a bit left and/or right. So - likely they would fade out a bit too.

Unfortunately it is impossible to cut vocals out without manipulating and totally messing up the original audio!

Edited by - goofyguy on 03/13/2001 07:50:36 AM

Syntrillium M.D. · Location: USA

Hello SVT. Though it is true, that the process of 'vocal cutting' (whereby, you are essentially reversing the phase of one channel and summing the two channels into mono, cancelling out all center information) is semi-destructive, you might try this little trick as an alternative to help retain some of the bass and lower attack frequencies.

Open your original file in Edit View. Use the channel mixer and select the Vocal Cut preset. After it is processed, save the file with a new name and insert this file into multitrack (either Ctrl-M or in the Edit Menu).

Now, still in Edit View, open up the original file. Using one of the filters (such as FFT) try performing a Low-Pass filter on the entire file, essentially so that everything above say, 220hz is completely rolled off, leaving only bass frequencies below 220hz. Process it, and now save this file with a new name. Insert into multitrack.

You will now have the Vocal Cut mono file in track one, and a stereo low-pass file in track two. Granted, vocals are still present in track 2, but are heavily attenuated because it is only showcasing frequencies below 220hz! Play with the volume levels of each to try and find a nice balance. This way, you don't lose all of that pertinent center-bass and kick information!

---Syntrillium Support

Edited by - syntrillium support on 03/13/2001 09:10:52 AM