input file : source soundfile
output file : destination soundfile (when marked)
or result.wav (for unregistered files)
processing mode : global
DART DeVocalizer suppresses the lead vocalist’s performance from almost any stereophonic recording. In most cases the lead vocal cannot be completely eliminated but it can be reduced to satisfactory faint.
The music track is extracted from the original recording. The background music, background vocals and ambiance of the recording are not imitations. They are extracted by means of digital signal processing of the audio signal. Audio Compact Discs (CD) usually yield the best results, though all stereo audio sources - analog records, cassette tapes, stereo TV, Radio and CD - can be used. The vocal must be centered on both channels and within human vocal frequency ranges in order for DeVocalizer to do its work.
The DeVocalization results you achieve will vary dramatically from one source recording to another. Lead vocal can be greatly suppressed but not entirely eliminated. We estimate that about 80% of stereo recordings will yield at least partial DeVocalized results. It will not work on a monophonic source. Recordings made before the mid-1960s usually will not produce satisfactory results.
Use the Attenuation control slider to achieve the best possible vocal suppression. Keep the slider as far to the right as possible. The amount of reverberation (echo) present in the original recording has a strong effect on the results you achieve from any recording. If there is a lot of ambient sound associated with the lead vocalist the elimination will not be perfect. The remaining echo, however, should be faint.
When over-dubbing someone’s performance a little bit of help from the lead vocalist may not a bad idea.It is simpler than you think – just move the Attenuation slider to the left to reduce the suppression rate and let the original recording artist support your vocalist!
Use the Bass retrieval slider to add back sounds that may be lost with devocalization. The sound of some of the supporting instruments is often lost along with the lead vocal. To minimize this effect, use the Bass retrieval slider. While listening to the DeVocalized results move the Bass retrieval slider to the right. This increases the bass cutoff. Stop at the point where you can just barely hear vocal track again. It’s usually worth the effort to adjust Bass retrieval. It can bring back important elements of the accompaniment that remain below the lead vocalist’s ‘bandwidth’ such as percussion beats and bass guitar. When the Bass retrieval option is switched OFF the program creates a pseudo-stereo output file. When Bass retrieval is ON the output file is truly stereophonic. (Pseudo-stereo means the left channel is reversed-phase version of the right channel).
Use the Output level slider to control the volume of the devocalized sound. Slide the Output level to the right to increase the volume of the DeVocalized track. When adjusting the volume, make sure that the clip indicator does not light.
Audition controls allow you listen to the results of DART DeVocalizer while you change the DeVocalizer controls. You can compare the results of DeVocalizer to the original recording by switching between Play Result and Play Source.
Press the Play Result button to hear the results of DeVocalizer digital audio processing. You can modify the DeVocalizer parameters while playing results. The green Ready light indicates the DeVocalizer parameters you set have been processed and are ready to play. When you change parameters, the light goes off until your new settings have been processed.
Press the Play Source button to hear the original soundfile. All DeVocalizer filtering is bypassed.
Use the Overview Bar to set the position of the cursor. The Overview Bar is the unlabelled gray rectangle at the very top of the DeVocalizer panel. A yellow vertical line in the box represents the cursor position.
Selections in the range box allow you to choose the start and end points of the soundfile you are auditioning (from cursor, entire file, local, block). With all choices, DeVocalizer plays in a loop, jumping to the start point you choose when the end point is reached. Please note: setting parameters modifies the complete soundfile not just the portion you audition.