For this project I took a song (Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra), isolated the vocals through Audacity and then layered this new vocals track on to create a new “mix”. I then repeated this process by isolating the vocals from the new mix and again layering it on. I did this 30 times.

I was curious to see how feasible it is for a program like Audacity to separate vocals from everything else, and use the program as a feedback system to create new mixes.

To create mix #1, I separated the vocals and instrumentals individually and then layered them together.

Original recording by Electric Light Orchestra:

Mix #1

Mix #10

Mix #30

I have never worked with sound media or used any sort of audio software before, so I had no idea what to expect. You can clearly hear how the original signal is destroyed, particularly at around 1:02. The results were certainly interesting, and I’m sure that continuing to isolate and layer the vocals would eventually produce something quite different!