How to Remove Vocals in GarageBand: Mac & iOS Tutorial (2026)

GarageBand is Apple's free music creation app for Mac and iOS. Many users wonder if they can remove vocals from songs using it. Here's the honest truth about what GarageBand can and can't do.

Short Answer: GarageBand doesn't have a vocal removal feature. You can partially reduce vocals using EQ workarounds, but results are poor. For actual vocal removal, you need AI-powered tools.

Can GarageBand Remove Vocals?

No, GarageBand doesn't include a vocal removal or isolation feature. Unlike professional DAWs that offer (limited) center-channel extraction, GarageBand has no built-in capability for this.

However, you can try some workarounds with varying degrees of (lack of) success.

Method 1: EQ Reduction (Limited)

You can reduce vocal presence using GarageBand's equalizer, but this damages the entire mix:

On Mac

Import your audio
- Drag your audio file into GarageBand
- Or: File → Import → Audio File
Access the EQ
- Select the audio track
- Click "Smart Controls" (B key)
- Click "EQ" in the plug-ins section
Cut vocal frequencies
- Reduce frequencies between 1kHz - 4kHz
- These are primary vocal frequencies
- Use a wide Q (affects broad range)
Problems with this approach
- Guitars, pianos, and other instruments share these frequencies
- You'll damage the entire mix
- Vocals won't be fully removed, just quieter

On iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Import audio into GarageBand project
Tap the track to select it
Tap the plug-ins icon
Add "Channel EQ"
Reduce mid frequencies (1kHz - 4kHz)

Same limitations apply — this isn't true vocal removal.

Method 2: Phase Cancellation (Requires Two Files)

This only works if you have both:

The full mix
The official instrumental version

Steps

Import both files into GarageBand
Align them perfectly (zoom in, match waveforms)
Invert the phase of the instrumental:
- Select instrumental track
- Add "Gain" plugin
- Or use third-party phase inverter AU
Play together — similar content cancels out

When this works: Only when you have the exact instrumental used in the mix.

When this fails: Almost always, because released instrumentals are often different masters.

Method 3: Use External AI, Import Result

The most effective approach:

Process your song with AI
- Upload to StemSplit or similar
- Get isolated vocals or instrumental
Import the result into GarageBand
- Drag the processed file into your project
- Continue your project with clean stems

This gives you production-quality separation to work with in GarageBand.

Want clean vocal removal for your GarageBand project? StemSplit separates vocals in 60 seconds. Import the result into GarageBand.

Remove Vocals with AI →

Why GarageBand Can't Remove Vocals

GarageBand is designed for music creation, not audio repair or separation:

What GarageBand Is Good At

✅ Recording instruments and vocals
✅ MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments
✅ Basic mixing and effects
✅ Easy music creation for beginners
✅ Podcast production

What GarageBand Isn't Built For

❌ Source separation
❌ Vocal isolation
❌ Advanced audio repair
❌ Spectral editing
❌ Stem extraction

Apple has added AI features to other apps (like Voice Isolation in FaceTime), but hasn't brought AI source separation to GarageBand.

GarageBand vs Logic Pro for Vocal Removal

Logic Pro (Apple's professional DAW) doesn't have built-in vocal removal either, but offers more workaround options:

Feature	GarageBand	Logic Pro
Price	Free	$199
Vocal removal tool	No	No
EQ options	Basic	Advanced
Third-party AU support	Limited	Full
Phase tools	No	Yes
Workaround potential	Very limited	Limited

Neither app truly solves vocal removal. For that, you need dedicated AI tools.

What You CAN Do in GarageBand with Stems

Once you have stems from an AI tool, GarageBand becomes much more useful:

Remix Projects

Import separated stems (vocals, drums, bass, etc.)
Arrange them differently
Add your own elements
Mix and export

Karaoke Practice

Import instrumental (vocals removed)
Record your voice on a new track
Compare with original
Practice and improve

Music Production Learning

Import individual stems
Study how songs are mixed
Experiment with levels and effects
Learn production techniques

Vocal Cover Creation

Import backing track (vocals removed)
Record your vocal performance
Mix to match the track
Export your cover

Alternative: Use Stem Splitter, Then GarageBand

The best workflow for GarageBand users who need vocal removal:

Step 1: Separate with AI

Go to StemSplit
Upload your song
Select what you need:
- Instrumental (vocals removed)
- Vocals only
- Or individual stems
Download the processed files

Step 2: Import into GarageBand

Open GarageBand
Create new project
Drag in your separated files
Each stem goes on its own track

Step 3: Create Your Project

Now you have clean separation to work with:

Create karaoke tracks
Build remixes
Make practice backing tracks
Study song structure

GarageBand Vocal Removal: FAQ

Is there a vocal remover plugin for GarageBand?

GarageBand has limited Audio Unit (AU) plugin support. Most professional vocal removal plugins are VST or AAX format. Some AU-compatible options exist (like iZotope RX Elements), but they're expensive for what GarageBand offers.

Can I remove vocals from songs on my iPhone?

Not with GarageBand. Use a web-based AI tool like StemSplit on your phone's browser, then import the result into GarageBand.

Why doesn't Apple add vocal removal to GarageBand?

Apple likely sees GarageBand as a creation tool rather than a manipulation tool. Adding features like vocal removal could raise music licensing concerns. Instead, they focus on recording and creating original music.

What's the best free vocal remover for Mac?

GarageBand itself doesn't work for this. Free options include:

VocalRemover.org — Web-based, free tier available
StemSplit — Free preview, pay per song
UVR — Free but technical

Can GarageBand isolate instruments besides vocals?

No. GarageBand can't isolate any stems from mixed audio. For that, you need AI stem separation tools that can extract vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments.

Will Apple add AI vocal removal to GarageBand?

Unknown. Apple has shown interest in AI features (like Voice Isolation for calls), but hasn't announced plans for GarageBand. Given competition from AI tools, it's possible but not confirmed.

The Bottom Line

GarageBand is excellent for what it's designed for — creating music from scratch. But vocal removal isn't something it can do, even with workarounds.

The practical solution for GarageBand users:

Use an AI stem splitter to process your audio
Import the clean stems into GarageBand
Continue your project with separated audio

This gives you the best of both worlds: AI-powered separation and GarageBand's intuitive interface for music creation.

Get Stems for Your GarageBand Project

AI vocal removal works where GarageBand can't.

✅ Clean instrumental tracks
✅ Isolated vocals for covers
✅ Individual stems (drums, bass, etc.)
✅ Import directly into GarageBand

Separate Your Song →