How to Separate Audio Tracks Using Softwares like Hitpaw Online Vocal Remover

Separating audio tracks from a mixed song is a game-changer for musicians, producers, and remix artists while isolating vocals for a karaoke track, removing instruments to create a custom remix, or extracting specific elements like drums or bass for sampling. It allows you to work with individual elements of a song, giving you full control over your music projects.

In this guide, we’ll explore how software can help you separate audio tracks with ease. We’ll cover the best methods for isolating different parts of a song so you can use them in your own mixes, remixes, or even practice sessions.

Part 1. What Does Separating an Audio Track Mean?

Separating an audio track means breaking down a mixed song into its individual components, like vocals, drums, bass, or other instruments. Instead of having a single audio file with everything combined, you can isolate each element, which allows you more control over the sound.

For example, if you want to remix a song, you could extract just the vocals or drums to create something new. Similarly, musicians often separate tracks to practice along with individual parts, like learning the bassline without the distraction of other instruments.

In a multi-track recording, if a stereo track is recorded with multiple participants, it can be split into two separate left and right channels as a different track.

These two processes are made possible through special software that uses algorithms to analyze the audio, split it into separate stems, and make it much easier to work with specific parts of the song.

Part 2. Best Software to Separate Audio Tracks - Top 2 Choices

If you want to quickly separate vocals and instruments from an audio track, here are the 2 ways to do so with the best 3 software.

Way 1. How to Separate Audio Tracks Using Audacity

Audacity’s audio separation technique is somewhat limited, so results vary based on the audio’s mixing. Tracks with centered vocals and well-separated stereo channels work best, but complex audio may retain vocal remnants or artifacts.

Follow the below steps to separate instruments and vocals from a track using Audacity:

1. Open Audacity and drag the audio file into Audacity or going to “File > Import > Audio.”

2. Click the dropdown menu on the track's left side and choose “Split Stereo Track” to create two separate tracks (left and right channels).

3. Select one of the tracks (usually the bottom one).

4. Go to “Effect” > “Special” > “Invert” to one channel, which is essential for vocal removal in a stereo file.

5. Pan both tracks to the center (0%) using the pan slider on the left side of each track.

6. Play the track to see if the vocals are reduced.

7. Alternatively, with the track still selected, go to “Effect > Vocal Reduction and Isolation.”

8. Choose "Remove Vocal" or "Isolate Vocal” and experiment with this to see what works best.

9. Go to “File > Export” to save the edited audio track.

To split a multi-track recording using Audacity, do these steps:

1. Import the Multi-Track File by selecting “File > Import > Audio” and choosing your audio file.

Note: If each track is saved as a separate file (e.g., drums, guitar, vocals), select all files, and they will appear as individual tracks in Audacity. If your multi-track recording is in a single file, skip to Step 3.

2. Rename Tracks for clarity by clicking on the track title area and choosing “Name....” If you need better organization, go to “Tracks” > “Mix” > “Mix and Render” to consolidate similar instruments on fewer tracks.

3. If you have a stereo track that you want to separate, click the track name dropdown and select “Split Stereo to Mono” for the left and right channels.

4. If the multi-track file is one continuous file (e.g., one track after another in the same timeline), use the “Selection” Tool (shortcut: F1) to highlight the section of audio that corresponds to each individual track. Then, go to “Edit > Clip Boundaries > Split” and drag each separated clip to a new track. You can create a new track by going to “Tracks > Add New > Mono Track or Stereo Track” as needed.

5. After splitting, select each track to apply effects or adjustments separately if needed.

6. To export individual tracks, solo the track you want to export by clicking the “Solo” button on the left.

7. Go to “File > Export > Export Audio” and save the track under a relevant name.

8. Repeat for each track, and this will split music into tracks.

Way 2. How to Separate Music Tracks with Adobe Audition

Separating vocals and instruments or splitting multi-track recording in Adobe Audition is fairly straightforward, thanks to its advanced audio tools. Here’s a detailed process for achieving this:

1. Open Adobe Audition and import your audio file by going to “File > Open” or by dragging the file directly into the project window.

2. Go to “Effects > Stereo Imagery > Center Channel Extractor.”

3. Select a Preset like “Vocal Remove” or “Vocal Enhance.”

4. Adjust Frequency Ranges: For more control, tweak the start and end frequency to better capture vocals or instruments. Also, adjust the “Center Channel Level” as per your requirements.

5. Once you are satisfied, click “Apply” to isolate or remove the vocals from your audio track.

6. To export, go to “File > Export > Multitrack Mixdown > Entire Session” or “Selected Clips.”

Part 3. HitPaw Vocal Remover - An Online Alternative to Separate Music Tracks

If you don’t prefer using software to separate audio tracks, the HitPaw vocal remover online tool can do this job right from your browser. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to HitPaw Vocal Remover Dashboard

First, open the HitPaw Vocal Remover page and sign in to access the dashboard. Then, click “Choose File” to upload your audio track.

Step 2: Play Separated Tracks

HitPaw vocal remover will then process the file and generate two versions: One with vocals and the other with instruments.

Click “Play” to listen to either track.

Step 2: Download Individual Tracks

Finally, click “Download All” to export both versions to your PC, or click the download icon next to each track to save your preferred choice.

Part 4. FAQs of Separating Audio Tracks

Conclusion of Separating Music Tracks

With the Audacity and Adobe Audition software, you can easily separate audio tracks and split music into tracks and take your audio projects to the next level. Hopefully, this guide has helped you go through each editing step using both of these tools for the best outcome. We’ve also discussed an online alternative if you just want to separate the track quickly.

Ready to start separating or splitting your audio tracks? Explore the software and methods covered in this guide and find the best solution for your needs. To save time, sign up for HitPaw vocal remover and do this task in a jiffy.