Make an Acapella for Your Remix using Audacity's Noise Removal tool to Remove the Instruments from the audio file vs Vocal Isolation in Audacity vs Make your own a cappella from the completely mixed track

Edited by VAMPYFREE, Lynn, Eng, Bonk and 21 others

3 Methods:
using Audacity's Noise Removal tool to Remove the Instruments from the audio file
Using Vocal Isolation in Audacity
Make your own a cappella from the completely mixed track

Method 1: using Audacity's Noise Removal tool to Remove the Instruments from the audio file

I found this amazing technique by Michael Janchura that works really well for many songs. It uses the "Noise Removal" feature in AUDACITY to effectively isolate the vocals. It worked so well; I took the time to organize it into steps with pics. This method will show you how to remove all the instruments from an audio file, and just leave the voice with the AUDACITY. To get started, I am going to play this record and try to listen to it.

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Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas10 221196.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    First, select a part of the record
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas33 865313.jpg
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  2. 2
    From the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas38 233885.jpg
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  3. 3
    Click on "Get Noise Profile"
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas42 423736.jpg
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  4. 4
    You will notice the slide is not moving
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas44 826586.jpg
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  5. 5
    Now it is creating the noise profile
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas49 750585.jpg
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  6. 6
    Again, from the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas54 902856.jpg
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  7. 7
    We can see now that the Slide is moving, allowing you to choose how much noise you want to be filtered out
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas59 071098.jpg
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  8. 8
    Click on "Remove Noise"
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas62 6943.jpg
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  9. 9
    Now, it is removing Noise
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas66 66358.jpg
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  10. 10
    Now you will notice a difference in the shape
    .
    Rewind it to play it from the start.
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas70 295083.jpg
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  11. 11
    Press Play to listen to the song
    .
    Remove the instruments from an audio file with AUDACITY v1.2.6---VQ55xunHvsU.mp4-canvas75 511897.jpg
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  12. 12
    You've got it
    .
    Thanks for watching. Just leave a comment at the bottom of this page and let me know how it worked for you.
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Video: Make an Acapella for Your Remix using Audacity's Noise Removal tool to Remove the Instruments from an audio file

Method 2: Using Vocal Isolation in Audacity

I found this amazing video from ProVizion Studios demonstrating how to isolate vocals on a center-panned song using audacity. I found it hard to follow along on YouTube, so I made a step by step from it with screenshots. Try it out. I am impressed with how fast, simple and effective it is. It's not perfect. You end up getting rid of 98% of all background music, and the vocals are clear using this method.

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Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas2 005017.jpg
  1. 1
    I am going to show you an example of how to isolate a vocal track of a pre-existing song
    .
    This song is called "Pride In The Name Of Love" by U2. The key to this process, particularly in Audacity, is for the vocal track to be in the center. First, we are going to select the entire audio clip.
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas120 593985.jpg
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  2. 2
    Once we have the entire clip or the song selected
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas130 638356.jpg
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  3. 3
    We are going to copy it, by using "Edit" and "Copy", or command "C"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas136 253188.jpg
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  4. 4
    We have copied the clip to the clipboard, and the next step is to create a new stereo track to Paste this copied audio track on
    .
    From the menu "Tracks", select "Add New" then "Stereo Track".
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas150 121493.jpg
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  5. 5
    Now, we have created a new left and right channel
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas156 746416.jpg
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  6. 6
    From the Menu "Edit" select "Paste", or command "V"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas161 525984.jpg
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  7. 7
    This is now an exact duplicate of the original audio clip
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas162 471049.jpg
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  8. 8
    Select the copy track to highlight it
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas176 684042.jpg
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  9. 9
    From the Menu "Effect", scroll down to "Vocal Removal(For center-panned vocals)"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas187 093356.jpg
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  10. 10
    Click on "OK"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas191 738423.jpg
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  11. 11
    Now it is removing the vocals from the performance
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas193 182675.jpg
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  12. 12
    Play the song, and you'll hear the vocal has been removed
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas202 304368.jpg
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  13. 13
    From the same spot, we can hear how the original Audio clip sounded
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas222 919253.jpg
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  14. 14
    Select the new track again and from the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas237 797748.jpg
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  15. 15
    We are trying to capture the audio content of the song with the vocal removed
    .
    Click on the "Get Noise Profile".
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas251 688488.jpg
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  16. 16
    Now, it's capturing the noise profile of the song without the vocals
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas253 102688.jpg
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  17. 17
    Select the original track that still has the vocal on it
    .
    Now it is highlighted.
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas269 916792.jpg
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  18. 18
    From the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas272 458287.jpg
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  19. 19
    Click on "OK"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas275 565548.jpg
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  20. 20
    It's now applying the noise profile of the copied track with the vocal removed and applying it to the track with the vocals on it, and it is removing the music and leaving us with the vocal
    .
    This really works a hundred percent of the time, but only if the vocal is center-panned.
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas279 339084.jpg
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  21. 21
    Let's hear the results
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas301 724279.jpg
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  22. 22
    This is a great way of getting the vocals out of a mix and then isolating the same vocal with the Audacity Noise Removal plugin
    .
    We will try another recent track.
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas364 590944.jpg
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  23. 23
    This is "Be Like That" by 3 Doors Down
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas368 565481.jpg
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  24. 24
    Select the entire track by using the command A, then command-C to copy
    .
    From the Menu "Tracks" select "Add New" then "Stereo Track".
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas393 827504.jpg
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  25. 25
    Command-V to paste the copied selection
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas396 938716.jpg
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  26. 26
    From the Menu "Effect", "Vocal Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas402 532207.jpg
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  27. 27
    Click on "OK" or
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas404 436083.jpg
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  28. 28
    From the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas410 711775.jpg
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  29. 29
    Select "Get Noise Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas412 533327.jpg
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  30. 30
    Go back and select the original track
    .
    We can Solo it at this point.
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas419 622558.jpg
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  31. 31
    From the Menu "Effect" select "Noise Removal"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas422 163972.jpg
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  32. 32
    Click "Ok"
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas423 669802.jpg
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  33. 33
    Now it is now applying the captured element
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas428 974118.jpg
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  34. 34
    We can now play the track
    .
    Vocal Isolation in Audacity---PvHq9jQ xxI.mp4-canvas435 575403.jpg
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  35. 35
    This is really a fast way to knock out the music and isolate the vocal track on most Rock or Pop songs
    .
    This method does not work for every song, and you're going to find out that the more recent the song, the harder it is, because music nowadays tends to have more stereo panning, especially vocals. This is not the case with bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Although their songs were awesome, and they recorded so many songs, the vocals were panned to one side, and the music was panned to another, making it much easier to isolate either the vocals or the instruments. Today, songs are recorded in more complex ways, using stereo more effectively than in the past. I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions make a comment on this video, or you can go to my website and check it out and leave an email for me there at Provizion Studios. Thank you very much, and everyone have a great day.
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Video: Make an Acapella for Your Remix Using Vocal Isolation in Audacity

Method 3: Make your own a cappella from the completely mixed track

IMG 1055.jpg

It's been there on the internet, but still many beginners want to get a clean a cappella for making their remix. The following guide will provide you steps for making your own a cappella track from the completely mixed track.

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Steps

  1. 1
    Download the Audacity (freeware) version 2.00 or above from audacity.sourceforge.net

    Audacity.jpg
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  • 2
    Install using the instructions provided and open the audacity.exe
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  • 3
    Import the already mixed/completed track by going to File > Open, and select the track to be imported to Audacity.
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  • 4
    Select the complete track by pressing Ctrl + A, or going to Edit > Select > All.
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  • 5
    Now we will create an instrumental from the track imported by clicking Effect > Vocal removal (for center-panned vocals).
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  • 6
    Now invert the instrumental created in the first previous step by clicking Effect > Invert, which inverts the phase of the selected track.
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  • 7
    Now import the same track again by clicking File > Open.
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  • 8
    Select all by pressing Ctrl + A, or going to Edit > Select > All.
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  • 9
    In the next step, to achieve a clean a cappella, we will remove frequencies below 200-400 Hz, depending on the track, (Try a little experimentation as this is like adding salt to taste.)
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  • 10
    Click Effect > High pass filter
    .
    Leave the other setting to default and move the Cutoff frequency to 321 Hz. Click "OK."
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  • 11
    The a cappella is ready to be exported
    .
    Click File > Export to select the format to be exported as mp3 and then "OK."
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    • Tips

    • It is impossible to make a studio quality a cappella from an already mixed track, but the guide above will help you to achieve a quality a cappella for your own remix/mix.
    • The first five steps alone, are a guide to creating an instrumental, in case you need one.
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    Warnings

    • The following guide involves the creation of an instrumental from the completed track, which will only work for center-panned vocals.
    • You can use an instrumental track if available and skip the first five steps in this case.

    Things You'll Need

    • PC or Laptop.
    • Audacity (freeware) version 2.0 or above (available at audacity.sourceforge.net).

    Questions and Answers

    How to make acappella remixes quickly?

    A cappella is a choir or vocals without instrumental accompaniment. Acapella is the app that allows you to extract the vocals from an audio file. A cappella is all about vocals without music. It won't be very useful regarding making a remix, for a remix has a fresher beat and tweaked lyrics from the original version. If you are looking to create an acapella version, you will simply need to gather lyrics similar to the song, as well as adding some of your own lyrics, to create a successful remix.

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    Can I make Acapellas/Instrumentals from the original song?

    Hi, I'm trying to make a remix of two songs (just for the fun of it, so no public use) and I just can't find any a cappella or instrumental version of either of them. Is there any other method you could teach me? Thanks in forward.

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    Using Audacity, you can isolate the vocals and separate the instrumentals. You would need to do this for both songs and then create the Remix. Audacity makes it possible to take any song and separate, so you do not need to search the way you have been. Just find the song and begin the separations and blends for your remix tastes.

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    What do I enter in the dialogue box?

    There is a dialogue box that comes up asking me:

    Removal Choice: - simple - remove frequency band - retain frequency band

    or to enter the lower frequency band (Hz) and the higher frequency band (Hz)

    What do I do?

    This dialogue box has to do with Bass and Treble. The Simple is a basic choice. You otherwise can set up such as 255 for your low-frequency and 16605 for your high-frequency setting. Play with the settings to determine which works best for your song choice.

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    How to make an acapella without the instruments?

    I want to know how to make an acapella if I don't have official instrumental. Can you help me?

    You can make an acapella without an official instrumental version available by one of these methods:

    1. 1
      Purchase a CD with 5.1 Surround Sound version of your song
      .
      Then extract the instrumental once you find the track that it is located on. Also, by doing this, you can often find the vocals already isolated. DVD Audio Extractor is a program that can help you isolate with their software.
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    2. 2
      Watch this YouTube Tutorial about installing Kn0ck0ut to your Audacity program as a plugin
      .
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    3. 3
      Look for a karaoke version of the song with just the instrumentals
      .
      These are often sound alike but very close to the original.
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    How do I make a cappella? Help me please?

    I want to know how to make the perfect one to show my mates at school. I have tried: Doing rock songs. I think it was caused by: Maybe they weren't the right songs for me.

    Practice several different genres with the Audacity program. A particularly good song is Royals by Lorde. The vocals are extracted and beautiful. You may also want to try songs from the 60's with blends from the BeeGees and Beach Boys. The vocal tones of the songs play beautifully when the instrumental is extracted.

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    I want to make some professional sounding acapellas.

    I want to make acapellas for my remix production. Can you help me with that? I have tried: I've tried Voice Trap, Maximus, and many other ways. I think it was caused by: Don't know.

    Play with the frequency settings in Audacity. You can make a song sound completely different. This program differs from ones like Voice Trap with more capabilities. Step by step from the main article on this page to get the results you are looking for.

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    Where is the choice to cut off frequencies between 200-400 Hz?

    Tell me where the option is, please. I don't see it. I have tried: The cut off is at 321 on high pass filter. I think it was caused by: I have no idea.

    Try 280. This is tough because it really depends on the song that you are working with; however, 280 is a stable setting for frequency.

    How can I reduce the frequencies in a song?

    Hi. I am trying to make an Acappella, and I would like to know how do you cut frequencies in Audacity.

    Within the Effect tab, you can edit the frequency measures.

    How do I complete this step? Removing the frequencies.

    In the next step, to achieve a clean acapella, we will remove frequencies below 200-400 Hz, depending on the track, (Try a little experimentation as this is like adding salt to taste.)

    How do I remove the frequencies?

    You will do this in Effect with the high pass filter and other settings. Watch the video on this page to see exactly how they do it so that you can understand better.

    Do you recommend this program?

    I've been looking to create an acapella for, Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time by Panic! At The Disco. Is this tutorial recommended for beginners? Where can I get Audacity, and does it cost me anything?

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    Audacity is a free, open source, cross-platform software. If you see charges for downloading, then go to another download source. The program is relatively easy for beginners, and by watching the video on this page, you can begin creating with Audacity in no time. Practice makes perfect and remember to not get frustrated if your first few creations don't turn out exactly as you imagined.

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    Sir how do I create acapella, please sir tell me, I am so much confused?

    Sir how do I create acapella, please sir tell me I am so much confused. I have tried: Nothing. I think it was caused by: So many instruments.

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    Remixing My Song to a club dance mix?

    I have my own acapella and want to add a club mix to it. I have tried: I have gone looking for a music engineer online with no luck. I think it was caused by: I was told a crazy price of 1000, and they wanted money before even starting the job.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Hi! trying to learn to remove music to make a track acapella?

    Hi how are you? Hi! I'm trying to learn how to remove music to make a track acapella. This is my first time attempting this. I have always found the acapella versions myself but can't find this one. This is my first time, so I am learning and could use guidance. I have tried: I followed all of the instructions provided. All of the steps were taken, but I still hear the music clearly. Thank you for posting the tutorial. I hope it can work for me. I think it was caused by: It isn't working. No idea, I hope to figure it out Thank you for posting the tutorial. I hope it can work for me.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

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    Can I remove instrumental and background vocals from defying gravity?

    There's this song I really want to make a duet, it's called defying gravity. However, I can't find an acapella of it.

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    Ya how do I record each sound and put it all together?

    That is, all please answer soon!

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    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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