U Mix It? You Mix It? What's This Software Called?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/1606-2-5516066.html' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/1606-2-5516066.html</a><br /><br /></div>Once I got over the urge to repeatedly jam a screwdriver in my ear after hearing Intel's CEO Craig Barrett "sing" (but he knows how bad he is), I was really intrigued by the software they called "You Mix It". They say it has the ability to strip out audio tracks (drums, bass, vocals) from a song, which I would find very useful for learning songs. Based on the demo though, I have a strong suspicion that this software only works on CDs and DVDs that have the songs in a per-track format. They make it sound like you can use it with anything, but I doubt that's the case - once a song is mixed, you have to get into frequency isolation to try and bring up/push down certain instruments. Has anyone tried this software, or know more about it?

[jdepew]

umixit - share the studio experience

So, you can find the software at http://www.umixitmusic.com/

It appears that it will only work with CDs that include extra versions of the songs in 8-track, 16-track, and pre-mixed versions.

[sundown]

There is a free program out there by AnalogX if you want to try it yourself. I've tried it and it works fairly well. It seems to depend on the song. In most cases I can still faintly hear the vocals I just removed - traces.

Program Page: http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/audio/vremover.htm

other cool free audio and other tools:
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download.htm

BTW, nice meeting you at CES Jason.

[Jason Dunn]

It appears that it will only work with CDs that include extra versions of the songs in 8-track, 16-track, and pre-mixed versions.

Yeah, that's what I thought. So it's really not interesting in any way...at all. What a lame demo. :roll:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Well, most vocal removing programs work on the premise that the vocals are in the centre channel, so that's what they subtract from by comparing the stereo channels (you can do so yourself even with a decent audio editor). However there goes your bass as well..

As for this one, yea, it's not a "works-with-everything" solution. Oh well!

[TechGal]

I looked into this UMix It thing. It's pretty good from the music industry side of things. It does only work on CDs that have already been encoded with it.. meaning songs that have already been split into tracks. You can use the 8 track version or pay to ugrade to the 16 track. Right now Webster Hall records, a nightclub label in NYC, Aerosmith and some other new rock group have it. Don't know what they have planned going forward. It would be cool for a band you always wanted to rock out with... taking the virtual guitar to another level. If only I had musical capabilities! It is cool though. Cakewalk put together something cool here. I wonder if there is someplace you can request new artists to release this with.. I could spend a weekend rockin out with Zeplin.

[gsdesign]

I saw the demo too. After seeing Jobs' speeches, Craig should be looking for someone else to give presentations, or take some lessons from Jobs.

As far as the software, I thought "Gee, this kinda reminds me of that old Thomas Dolby project (can't remember the name though), but with voice tracks", then I realized the same with it's limitations.

Being a Garageband user though, it would be cool if someone offered loops that include riffs from popular songs/artists, as well as vocal tracks. Then you could still add more live vocals, more insturments, play along with your guitar...the possibilities are endless.

I think Steven Tyler would be smart to look into doing something like that versus wasting his time/energy on something that won't last long (and Apple loops can also be used in Logic as well as other apps, including some non-Apple ones).

Btw, anyone see Gate's presentation? Again, needs to learn something from Jobs, and actually demo products that work.

Greg