Keep Backing Vocals

Some songs sound better with background vocals included. Here's how to keep them.

What Are Backing Vocals? #

Backing vocals are:

• Background harmonies
• Backup singers
• Echo effects
• Chorus parts sung by multiple voices

Choosing at Creation Time #

The best time to decide about backing vocals is when creating your karaoke:

1. On the Create Karaoke page, expand Advanced Settings
2. Toggle Keep backing vocals on
3. Create your karaoke

This uses a separation model that preserves background vocals in the instrumental.

Why Keep Backing Vocals? #

Benefits:

• Songs sound fuller and more complete
• Helps with harmonies
• Provides vocal cues for timing
• Some songs feel empty without them

When to remove them:

• You want complete silence except lead vocals
• Backing vocals overpower the singer
• The song works well with just instrumental

Models for Backing Vocals #

Different separation models handle backing vocals differently:

MDX-Net (w/ backing) #

• Keeps backing vocals with instrumental
• Good balance of separation
• Popular choice for most songs

MusicAI Multi-stem #

• Separates lead vocals, backing vocals, and instrumental separately
• Gives you maximum control
• Slightly higher credit cost

MDX-23C (default) #

• Removes all vocals including backing
• Cleanest instrumental
• Best for pure karaoke experience

Adjusting After Creation #

If your karaoke is already created:

1. Open the project in Studio
2. Go to the Audio panel
3. If backing vocals were separated, you'll see a Backing Vocals slider
4. Adjust the volume as needed

Note: If the original separation didn't preserve backing vocals, you may need to recreate the karaoke with a different model.

Tips #

• Listen to the original song to decide
• Pop and rock songs often benefit from backing vocals
• Solo acoustic performances work better without
• You can always mix backing vocals lower rather than removing completely