Backing Tracks

[venomizer]

How do TV and Radio Stations get backing tracks of songs to play in adverts or documenteries etc. I can never seem to find them, only the actual song. Do the ask the actual artist to record them or am I just not looking hard enough?

[AllYourBase]

Often the will get a sound engineer at the station to make them using the real track with a computer removing the vocals.

The other option, which is easier than it sounds, is using a small piece of the track where there are no vocals and looping it. This can be added at the crucial moments to replace the vocal parts. I used to do this for a radio station in the north west using an atari ST, nearly 15 years ago, so I imagine its even easier now. Something modern like sony soundforge probably even does it for you.

The final option is that many cd singles have instrumental versions on them, which are easily used.

[venomizer]

Ahhh cool, thanks for the help :)

[Memore]

I used to work in TV and the other answer is correct the sound engineer or the Editor in the suite can take vocals out or just link it so the vocals dont come in at all