VocalZap: Free iPhone App Removes The Vocals From Tracks, So You Can Sing Along!
by Joe White
May 26, 2011
VocalZap (free) is a recently released application for the iPhone and iPod touch, which promises to "reduce or remove" the vocals from any given track, allowing Apple fans to sing along karaoke-style.
As outlined in the app's release notes:
VocalZap is a free real-time vocal removal app that allows you to instantly reduce or remove the vocals from your favorite songs. VocalZap uses an advanced DSP algorithm to reduce or remove vocals while maintaining great quality audio. Sing along karaoke-style with any song in your iTunes library - instantly - with VocalZap!I've just tried out the app with a few tracks (by Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon), and the results were okay. In all three cases, VocalZap really "reduced" the volume of the vocals, as opposed to removing them completely. In actual fact, the reduced vocals sound oddly muffled and also echo - as if the lead vocalist is singing into a pillow in a very large, empty hall. However, because the app is completely free, it's difficult to criticize VocalZap, because it does exactly what it promises to do - that is, "reduce or remove the vocals from your favorite songs." And I'm sure that somebody out there will try out the app, and realize that VocalZap really has zapped the vocals from their chosen track, removing them completely. Try out the app, and let us know how it works for you in the comments. [via Gizmodo]