What are music stems?

Music stems are individual components or tracks of a musical composition, typically including separate audio files for vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments. Stems allow musicians, producers, and DJs to have more control over each element of a song, making it easier to remix, edit, or create new arrangements.

Native Instruments Stems: Native Instruments, a leading company in the music production and DJ technology industry, introduced the Stems format in 2015. This open, multi-channel audio format allows for the separation of a track into four individual audio elements, making it easier for DJs and producers to manipulate and remix tracks during live performances or studio sessions.



Deezer Spleeter: Spleeter is an open-source music separation software developed by the music streaming service Deezer. It utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to separate audio tracks into their individual components, such as vocals and instruments. This technology enables users to extract specific elements from a song for remixing, sampling, or other creative purposes.

Algoriddim Djay: Algoriddim's Djay software is a popular DJ application for both beginners and professionals. It provides a range of features for mixing, blending, and manipulating audio tracks, including compatibility with various stem formats. Djay has integrated AI-powered music separation tools, such as NeuralMix, which allows users to isolate and manipulate individual elements like vocals, drums, and instruments in real time during a live performance or while creating new mixes. They are now integrated into most DJ software but also in more and more DJ controllers.

Remixes like Robin Schulz's 'Prayer in C,' Lost Frequencies' 'Are You With Me,' and Kygo's 'Sexual Healing' remix set the stage for cross-genre transformations and provided unanticipated exposure for the original artists.

What differentiates music stems from full multitrack audio renditions for a song?

Music stems are a simplified version of multitrack audio renditions, typically consisting of a few separate audio files, each containing a specific group of instruments or elements from a song, and they are usually produced from the analysis of a simple stereo rendition. These groups could be vocals, drums, bass, and other instrumental parts. Stems allow DJs, producers, and remixers to have more creative control over the elements of a song while working on their projects, without having full access to the original production.

In contrast, full multitrack audio renditions contain a complete set of individual tracks for each instrument, vocal, or sound element in a song. This offers even greater control for professional producers and mix engineers who require precise manipulation and detailed mixing of every element within a song. While multi tracks are ideal for studio work and serious production tasks, they can be more complex and time-consuming to work with compared to music stems.

Bring a second life to your back catalog songs, or give more exposure to your latest release

Releasing a song from a back catalog can breathe new life into the original track and create fresh opportunities for both the original artist and remixers. When an artist like Kygo remixes a song such as 'Sexual Healing,' it introduces the track to a new audience and often a different genre, expanding its reach and popularity. This resurgence can lead to increased streams, sales, and royalties for the original artist, as well as opening up potential collaborations, live performances, and other promotional opportunities. Additionally, the remixers themselves can gain recognition and exposure for their unique reinterpretation of the classic track, helping to boost their careers and attract new fans.

What are Remix-me music stems ?

Remix.me music stems cater to DJs seeking greater control than stem analysis offers by allowing them to extract specific elements from an original song, either for inclusion in a DJ set or to create variations, as seen in many remix contests.

Remix.me provides full multitrack renditions as both DAW projects (e.g., Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools) and individual WAV tracks, with prices starting at $9.99. Remixers can submit their creations to the original artist for official publishing, either as free remixes for other remix pack purchasers, through standard publishing or as exclusive NFTs.

For each paid remix pack submitted, an artist or producer must also offer a song from their back catalog as a free download to encourage users to explore the potential of working with such material in their DAW.