Adding multitrack stems
If you have access to multitrack stems for a given recording, you can upload them to Soundslice and use them in your practicing/teaching.
A stem is a single instrument’s audio with respect to the full recording. For example, if you have a recording of a rock band playing, you might also have stems of “just the lead guitar” or “just the drums” or “just the vocals.”
This help page is about how to add and edit stems within the slices you’ve created. We also have a separate help page about using stem playback in the player.
Adding a stem
We support stems on any MP3 recording. So the first thing you’ll need to do is create an MP3 recording. This recording should generally be the full mix.
Once you have an MP3 recording, open the Recordings screen in our editor. Find your recording in the list and click “Stems” at right:
This takes you to the “Add stem” screen. Here, select an MP3 file from your device and click “Upload.”
Once the stem is uploaded, we’ll take you to the list of stems for that recording. From here, you can rename your stem and upload more stems:
Requirements for stems
In order for your stems to work properly, please heed the following:
- Make sure the stem has the same duration as the main recording.
- Make sure the stem is aligned in time with the main recording. In other words, if you played the stem and your main recording at the same time, starting playback at the same exact moment, they should align.
Renaming a stem
By default, each stem is called “Track” — which is totally uninspiring. Here’s how to rename a stem:
- Open the Recordings screen.
- Click “Stems” next to the appropriate recording.
- You’ll now see the stems list. Click the name of the stem to rename it.
Deleting a stem
To delete a stem, do the following:
- Open the Recordings screen.
- Click “Stems” next to the appropriate recording.
- You’ll now see the stems list. Find the stem, then click the trash icon to the right of it.
- We’ll ask you to confirm the deletion. Then the stem will be deleted.
Can Soundslice automatically create stems for the music I’ve uploaded?
No, we don’t do that; maybe in the future. You’re responsible for sourcing your own stems.
Where can I get stems?
If you’re creating your own music for use in Soundslice lessons, you can create stems by exporting them from your DAW.
If you’re trying to learn from an existing recording that you didn’t create, you probably don’t have access to the raw stems. In this case, you might want to try the new crop of software that can automatically create stems from a recording. Search the Internet for “music stem splitter,” “vocal remover” or “source separation” and you’ll find lots of these tools. Some of them are free.
Are stems supported for other types of recordings, such as videos?
No. We only support stems for MP3 recordings.
Why don’t I see the “Stems” option next to my MP3 recording in the Recordings panel?
Make sure you’ve enabled enhanced slowdown (see here). Stems are only available with enhanced slowdown active.
Can I set the order in which stems are displayed?
We don’t support reordering. But the newest stem will always be at the bottom, so some careful planning will get you what you want. We’d like to support reordering stems in the future.
Can I replace a stem’s audio file?
No. Just create a new stem and delete the old one.
What happens if my slice has multiple recordings?
No problem. Each recording can have its own stems.
Is there a limit on number of stems for a recording?
Yes. Our current limit is four stems per recording.
Should I add a “full mix” stem?
No, this isn’t really necessary. The “original” recording — i.e., the one that’s audible if you haven’t enabled stem playback — should be the full mix.
How do I set syncpoints for a stem?
You don’t. Stems use their “main” recording’s syncpoints, so there’s no need for stem-specific syncpoints. Our system expects that each stem is rhythmically aligned with the main recording. See “Requirements for stems” above.