Many musicians, singers, and producers often ask me how to remove instruments from a song without damaging the quality of the original track. The truth is, removing instruments is not as simple as pressing a button, it requires the right tools, experience, and a detailed mixing process. Let me share a recent example that illustrates how I handle these projects.
The Challenge: Removing the Saxophone from the song
A customer recently asked me to remove the saxophone from a few original songs he sent me. He wanted clean versions to use as backing tracks. At first glance, it looked like a straightforward job, use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to separate the instruments and mute the sax.
But here’s the problem: when using AI, the software doesn’t just remove the instrument, it also removes part of the reverb and harmonics of the other instruments. This made the songs sound dry, unbalanced, and far from professional. Simply removing the instrument was not enough to make them sound fantastic.
The Solution: Mixing from the Ground Up
To achieve a professional result, I went further. I opened the stems (separated audio files) of the original song in my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and worked on each track individually.
Here’s what I did step by step:
Rebalanced each instrument to make sure the mix was even.
Restored harmonics and reverb that were lost during the AI removal process.
Applied EQ and compression to give clarity and depth.
Cleaned up unwanted noises and fixed minor sound issues.
Delivered a polished, professional mix that was ready to be used as a backing track.
The Result
By combining AI separation with professional mixing techniques, I was able to remove the saxophone while keeping the richness of the original song intact. The customer was very satisfied with the final product, it wasn’t just a track with the sax muted, it was a professional quality backing track that sounded natural and well-produced.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering how to remove instruments from a song, the answer is that AI tools alone are not enough. They are a great starting point, but achieving a high-quality result requires human expertise in audio mixing and production. Every song is unique, and sometimes restoring what the AI takes away is just as important as removing the instrument itself.
Some customers prefer this method instead of making the song from scratch because it’s cheaper. I just want to be clear: removing an instrument has no comparison with the real thing, which is recording everything from scratch. However, I completely understand that when it’s just for fun or practice purposes, this solution can be a great option.
If you’d like me to create a custom backing track from scratch or remove instruments from your favorite song, feel free to get in touch or visit my download store.
People often ask how much it cost making a custom backing track. It’s a fair question! But the price isn’t just about “getting an audio file.” You’re investing in years of skill, a finely tuned ear, professional equipment, and the time it takes to shape a track that’s truly yours. Below I’ll walk you through what goes into every project so you can understand the value behind the music.
It’s not just a product — it’s a craft
Every custom track is a mini-production: research, arranging, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. That process is powered by seven pillars of expertise and investment.
1) Knowing all styles and genres (authenticity over “generic”)
Great backing tracks sound like the real thing. That means understanding the language of each genre:
Rock needs tight drums, crunchy guitars, and punchy bass.
Funk lives in the pocket syncopation, ghost notes, and groove.
Jazz calls for tasteful voicings, swing feel, and dynamics.
Latin, EDM, Pop, Gospel, Metal, Orchestral each has its own arrangement rules, sound palette, and performance nuances.
Genre fluency ensures your track feels authentic, not like a one size-fits-all template. That research and stylistic accuracy takes time, and it’s a big part of what you’re paying for.
2) Deep harmony knowledge (why every chord matters)
Harmony is the architecture of the song. Knowing diatonic and modal harmony, secondary dominants, borrowed chords, modulations, and voice-leading lets me:
Rebuild complex progressions accurately.
Choose voicings that support the melody.
Arrange parts so instruments fit together instead of fighting for space.
This is how your track feels rich, musical, and emotionally right whether it’s a simple four-chord groove or a dense orchestral progression.
3) The gift of listening and replicating (ear training + feel)
Replicating a reference isn’t just about the notes. It’s about:
A trained ear catches those tiny details that make your track sit right next to the original in energy and character. That ear isn’t an overnight skill—it’s cultivated over thousands of hours.
4) Professional equipment (the invisible investment)
Behind a clean, professional sound is a studio’s worth of gear:
Re-amping & signal flow (capturing DI, then shaping tone afterward).
Session organization (naming, color coding, bussing, gain staging).
Backup & versioning (so nothing gets lost and revisions are smooth).
Tech fluency keeps your project efficient and lets creativity move fast without sacrificing quality.
6) Premium plugins & virtual instruments (the modern sound palette)
Pro results rely on pro tools: compressors, EQs, reverbs, limiters, saturators, mastering suites, drum libraries, orchestral libraries, amp sims, synths, and specialty FX. These aren’t free, and keeping them updated and legit is part of professional standards.
Why it matters: Better tools mean cleaner mixes, more realistic instruments, and competitive loudness without distortion.
Your benefit: A track that can stand next to major releases in sheen and impact.
7) 25+ years of mixing & mastering experience
Experience is the difference between “pretty good” and “wow.” After a decade or more, you learn to:
Balance frequencies so vocals and instruments don’t mask each other.
Control dynamics so the track feels powerful but never harsh.
Make mixes that translate on phones, laptops, big speakers, and PAs.
Master tracks to consistent loudness while preserving punch and clarity.
This is where your song goes from a pile of sounds to a polished, inspiring performance bed.
You might wonder if ordering several songs lowers the price per track. Sometimes there’s room to streamline (shared templates, similar instrumentation), but ultimately you’re not buying something that’s already made “files”, you’re investing in time, skill, and a bespoke process for each song. Quality takes focused hours, and that’s what ensures your music sounds right every time.
What actually affects the quote
If you’re trying to estimate how much does it cost to make a custom backing track for your project, here are the biggest variables:
Song complexity & length (simple groove vs. intricate arrangement).
Instrumentation (live guitars/bass vs. full orchestration & sound design).
Vocal guides or backing vocals (if needed).
Turnaround time (rush deliveries require extra hours).
Number of revisions (I include fair revisions to get it perfect).
Stems on request for live mixing and extra flexibility.
Consistent naming & organization for easy use in your sessions.
Friendly communication to make sure the track matches your vision.
So, how much does it cost to make a custom backing track?
Every project is unique. Share a few details (style, references, key/tempo if known, length, deadline), and I’ll give you a clear, personalized quote.
Ready to talk about your project?
If you’re asking how much does it cost to make a custom backing track for your specific song, the best next step is simple: tell me what you need and I’ll tailor a quote to match the scope, timeline, and deliverables, no surprises, just great music.
