How to remove vocals from a song: karaoke, a cappellas, and stems
Updated · 5 min read
AI vocal removers separate a mixed song into parts. You can get a clean instrumental for karaoke, an isolated vocal for a remix, or individual stems for mixing. Which option you need depends on what you plan to do next.
Two-track split or full stems?
Grok Music offers two separation types:
- Vocals + instrumental: two files, the isolated vocal and the backing without vocals. Best for karaoke, covers, and a cappellas. Quicker and cheaper.
- Full stem split: separate files for each part the model detects, such as lead and backing vocals, drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, synth, and effects. Best for remixing, mixing, and learning parts.
How to do it
Open the Vocal Remover, choose a song you made in Grok Music in the last 14 days from your Library, pick the separation type, and press Separate audio. Results appear in a minute or two, labelled by part, and are saved to your Library.
Getting cleaner results
- Start from the best-quality file you have; low-bitrate MP3s leave more artefacts.
- Expect some reverb from the vocal to remain in the instrumental on heavily processed mixes.
- Backing vocals that double the lead can end up in the vocal track; use the full stem split to separate them.
What to do with the parts
Use the instrumental as a karaoke or practice track, put the a cappella into Add Instrumental for a new arrangement, or download stems into your DAW. Remember that separating a commercial recording does not give you the right to publish its parts.
Ready to try it?
Open the Vocal Remover