What is a stem splitter, and how does it work?
Learn what a stem splitter is.
We’ll cover:
- What is a stem splitter?
- Why do people use stem splitters?
- How does an AI stem splitter work?
- What’s the difference between a stem splitter and a vocal remover?
- How many stems does a track need?
- Where to find free stem splitters online
- Can you use stem splitters for your content?
- Frequently asked questions about stem splitters
What is a stem splitter?
A stem splitter, also called a stem separator, is an audio editing tool that automatically “splits” a mixed audio file into individually usable parts called stems. Most stem splitters divide tracks into four recognizable groups: vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments. From there, you can solo, mute, and download each component as you please.
Some tools drill down further and others take a more laid-back approach. Stem-splitting for karaoke only needs to separate the vocals from the instruments, while Suno’s Stem Splitter can divide tracks into 12 stems.
The best-known example of stem separation is The Beatles’ Now and Then. Dubbed “the last Beatles song,” it used AI stem-splitting technology to isolate John Lennon’s vocals, which were extracted from a low-quality demo recorded in the late 1970s.
Why do people use stem splitters?
People use stem splitters to break down tracks they already own or have licensed. From there, they can:
- Remix: Official remixes are built on the original track’s stems, provided by the artist. If these aren’t available, a stem splitter can produce similar results.
- Restore: If the track’s stems aren’t available — like The Beatles’ Now and Then — a stem splitter could help.
- Practice: Someone learning to play an instrument might use a stem splitter to mute or isolate the part they’re learning.
- Study: Music theorists or critics may want to know how a specific instrument sounds in isolation, to learn more about the arrangement.
- Sample: Musicians may use a stem splitter to sample a specific sound or passage from a track they’ve licensed for that purpose.
The track’s original stems, mixed and mastered as intended, would be ideal for the above examples. However, if those aren’t available, stem splitters become an attractive alternative.
How does an AI stem splitter work?
An AI stem splitter uses machine learning models trained on mixed songs and their stems, building a picture of what a voice, guitar, piano, bass, and more could look like as an audio signal. From there, it “guesses” which is which, separating and rebuilding each sound into a stem.
Traditionally, track isolation was manual, using EQ to dig out frequency ranges, or center-channel extraction and phase cancellation to remove whatever sat in the middle of the mix.
In both cases, isolating tracks and extracting the stems can cause audio bleed and other artifacts.
What’s the difference between a stem splitter and a vocal remover?
A vocal remover is a specific type of stem splitter. A vocal remover’s only task is to separate the vocal track from the instrumental track, creating two stems.
Vocals are often the easiest stem to isolate, as they’re “lifted” from the music. However, backing vocals and reverb tails may remain in the instrumental mix.
How many stems does a track need?
It depends on what the music’s for. If you’re creating a karaoke track, splitting in two is good enough, as you just need to separate the vocals from the instruments. On the other end of the scale, artists like The Devin Townsend Project have released 27-stem multitrack breakdowns of their music, splitting tiny details like the left and right toms.
Where to find free stem splitters online
There are several free stem splitters that run directly in your browser, while others have dedicated apps. Examples include Logic Pro, BandLab, Fadr, and more. Most of these tools have a free tier or trial, with limits sometimes imposed on song length, daily quotas, and extra features.
The list below is not a ranking, but a selection of stem splitters. Click the links to learn more about each.
BandLab
BandLab’s stem splitter, handily called Splitter, is free to use in your browser and the BandLab app. The web version delivers audio as high-quality WAV files with up to four stems, while a paid BandLab membership introduces additional stems and faster separation.
Fadr
Fadr’s free stem splitter produces MP3 and MIDI output directly via app or your browser. Stems are split into four, plus a bundled “instrumental” stem. A paid Fadr Plus membership unlocks WAV downloads, a dedicated plugin, and multitrack stems, including extra-detailed elements like separated melodies and drum kit.
Logic Pro
Logic Pro is Apple’s “ultimate music creation experience,” which is included in Apple Creator Studio’s free trial. Six stems are stacked underneath the original track in your workspace, letting you solo and mute the parts you need. Logic Pro and the full Creator Studio are only available for Apple users.
Audacity
Audacity’s OpenVINO plugins provide two- and four-stem breakdowns directly in the Audacity desktop app. As always, Audacity is open-source and free.
Ableton Live 12 Suite
Ableton Live 12 Suite’s free trial grants access to all the desktop app’s features, including a stem splitter. The tool divides audio into four stems and drops them straight into a new group track. Stem-splitting is available in Ableton Live 12.3 and later.
Cubase Pro 16
Cubase Pro 16’s free trial includes a native six-track stem splitter. Like Ableton, it’s a desktop-exclusive product.
Can you use stem splitters for your content?
If you have the rights holders’ permission — usually in the form of a license — to split the stems, edit the music, and release a new version to accompany your content, you can use the track.
Otherwise, you can’t use a stem splitter to edit music for your content. Using such a tool may change the way a track sounds or is structured, but it doesn’t change who owns the rights.
If you publish, monetize, or otherwise make available edited music for which you don’t have the correct license, you could be hit with claims, takedowns, and further legal issues.
But you can use Epidemic Sound.
More than 55,000 tracks, each written and recorded by real artists. Original stems for all of them, generally broken down into melody, instruments, bass, and drums. Smart tools to help you find, edit, and sync music — split into stems, if needed — for your content.
Globally cleared licensing. No surprises.
Get started below and tell your best story, your way.
Frequently asked questions about stem splitters
Can I use a YouTube stem splitter for my content?
Not unless you own the rights or have a license that states you can do so. Any tool that splits stems from YouTube content is altering a track for which neither the tool nor the user owns the rights. If you use a YouTube stem splitter and publish the audio, your content could be muted, demonetized, or removed.
Why are AI stem splitters so popular now?
AI tools are more popular, advanced, and accessible than they were a few years ago. Early stem-splitting tools could cut vocals from instrumental tracks, but often left artifacts. Technological advances have made stem splitters cleaner and more appealing to those without audio editing experience.
Can a vocal stem splitter isolate vocals cleanly?
Vocal stem splitters can usually produce a clean vocal, but not a perfect one. Factors like reverb and backing vocals may bleed into the stems.
Is it legal to use a stem splitter on someone else’s song?
If you have permission. Otherwise, splitting stems does nothing to change the track’s ownership or licensing status. If you publish the track and don’t have the rights holder’s permission, you could face legal issues.
Does Epidemic Sound’s music come with stems?
Yes. Every track in the Epidemic Sound catalog features stems, typically covering melody, instruments, bass, and drums. You can download the full track or individual stems, meaning you don’t need to use a stem splitter. Stems are also available in Adapt, Epidemic Sound’s tool for automatically customizing a track’s mood, instrumentation, and length.
Can I use Epidemic Sound’s stems to remix a track?
Yes, if you have an active Epidemic Sound subscription and the music isn’t the only part of your content. Epidemic Sound’s music and stems are licensed worldwide on the platforms you use, but they must be synchronized with something else.
For example, you can download an Epidemic Sound track’s stems and solo the drums for a high-octane, fast-cutting action short published on YouTube. You can’t publish those isolated drums on YouTube as a standalone track.
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