Logic Pro can split a song into stems on its own, starting with version 11. Recent versions of FL Studio and Ableton Live also have a stem feature, so check which version you run. If yours does not, or you want six tracks instead of four, upload the song to the Unmix Studio stem splitter, then drag the MP3 files into any DAW.
A stem is one part of a song saved as its own audio file, such as vocals, drums or bass. Stems are what you drag into a DAW to remix, practice or rebuild a song.
Yes. Logic Pro 11 added a Stem Splitter that works on an audio file or region in your project. It separates the audio into vocals, drums, bass and a leftover group of other instruments.
Logic does the work inside your project. You select the audio, run Stem Splitter from the menus, and the new stems appear as tracks. Menu wording can differ between versions, so search the Logic Pro help for "Stem Splitter" to find the exact spot in yours. The feature also has hardware requirements, so check them for your Mac.
If your copy of Logic is older, or you want more than four parts, use the outside method below. The stems you download work the same as any other audio file in your project.
FL Studio has added stem separation in recent releases. It is built to take an audio clip or sample and give you separate parts to use in the Playlist.
The menu path has changed between releases, and I will not guess it here. Open the built-in help and search for "stem separation" to see where it sits in your version. If you cannot find it, you probably run an older release. In that case, split the song outside FL Studio and import the files.
Importing is simple. Drag each stem from your computer into the Playlist, or use the browser panel inside FL Studio. Put every stem at the very start of the timeline so they stay in sync.
Newer versions of Live include a stem separation tool. Older ones do not. As with FL Studio, check the release notes for your version so you know what you have.
Live is also good at working with stems you made elsewhere. Drop the files into the Arrangement or Session view, one per track. Make sure the clips all start together. If Live stretches clips to match the project tempo, set the project tempo to the song first, or switch off stretching on those clips, so nothing drifts.
Live can also pull notes out of audio. That is a separate job from splitting, and it works best on a single instrument. The MP3 to MIDI page does that in your browser.
This method works the same in every DAW, because the DAW never has to run the splitter.
On our test, a song that ran 4 minutes 44 seconds split into six tracks in 56 seconds and cost 5 credits. Each MP3 came out at about 10.9 MB. Busy times can add a queue, so give it a few minutes.
If you only need a four-part split, the 4-stem splitter page covers that. If you want every instrument pulled apart, try the every-instrument splitter.
Most tools cost 1 credit per minute of music. A few high-quality tools cost more, and the price always shows on the button. A failed split gives your credits back.
Credits come in one-time packs, not a subscription, and they never expire. Starter is $7.49 for 100 credits. Studio is $44.99 for 750, and Pro is $169.99 for 3,000. You can see the details on the pricing page. Credits you have not used can be refunded within 30 days of buying.
Stem splitting is very good now, but it is not magic. A dense mix, a live recording or a song soaked in reverb will leave some bleed. You may hear a trace of a snare in the vocal stem, or a bit of vocal in the "other" track.
A few habits help:
If one stem is noisy, the reverb remover or the vocal remover may clean the leftover part.
Stems are great for learning, remixing for yourself and practicing. Playing along with a drumless track at home is fine. Putting a remix or sample online or selling it is different. For that you need permission from the rights holders. Use your own music, music you have a license for, or music that is cleared for remixing.
Yes. Logic Pro 11 added Stem Splitter, which separates a track into vocals, drums, bass and other. It runs inside your project, so you do not export anything.
Recent versions of FL Studio include a stem separation feature. Search the built-in help for "stem separation" to find where it sits in your release. Older versions can import stems made with the Unmix Studio splitter.
Newer versions do, and older ones do not. Either way, you can drop MP3 stems from outside into Live as audio clips.
In our test, a 4-minute-44-second song became six tracks in 56 seconds. Expect one to three minutes in general, and a bit longer when many people are using the site.
Each track downloads as an MP3 at 320 kbps. Drag the files into your DAW as you would any audio file.