If you’re looking to become a highly professional and proficient DJ, you’re going to want to make sure you have as many DJ gear tools working in your favor as possible. And while a quality controller, set of speakers, and mixer can do wonders, you shouldn’t count out some of the lesser-known improvements. This includes using stems for DJs.
The Stems format is a great tool that exists to significantly improve your mixes and expand DJ performance possibilities that ab potentially make your DJ set stand out.
Below, we’ll get into everything surrounding stems, from how they work to a variety of useful tips you can use to properly implement them into your music and give yourself that extra boost to stand apart from your competition.
What Are Stems for DJs?
First things first, it’s important that we all have a basic understanding of what Stems are and how they are used.
Considered audio files that use an open format, The stems format files can be broken up into four separate musical file layers of an entire track independently. These layers consist of melodies, vocals, drums, and bass. These four layers can be isolated and played entirely separate from the rest of the audio track, creating an entirely unique audio listening experience compared to listening to all of the music combined, allowing for a variety of creative mix options while also offering considerably more control over virtually all of the respective track.
For example, if you and a competitor were performing using a select House genre track, the person using Stems would be able to create some entirely new and unique sounds including the adding and taking away of certain layers.
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How To Use Stems Format Files For DJing
Stems DJing has two primary DJ equipment setups one can implement when performing: DJ Controller & Turntable w/ Mixer
1. DJ Controller
The first option available for most people starting will be using the Stems format with a DJ controller. While any DJ controller can potentially use Stems, it should ideally have upwards of four or more channels as this allows DJs to dynamically mix songs with all four of the above layers. By using the four channels, one can play with each of these layers entirely separate from one another, offering a ton of creative control when performing song mixes.
As previously stated, you’ll want to ideally take a look at controllers that are already built with Stems as a feature, like Native Instruments ‘Traktor Kontrol S5’. Not only does this have the right amount of channels (four), it’s built with Stems in mind, making it all around more effective at separating each track. Others include the Kontrol S8, S4, and D2.
2. Turntable w/ Mixer
The second method is via a turntable or CDJ used alongside a mixer and a laptop using Traktor or Serato DJ software. This method allows for the individual aspects of a song to blend on top of the overall mix, such as putting an acapella vocal on top of an instrumental track from an entirely different song. If you have two turntables, you could even go so far as to mix the vocals over a track, switching from one turntable to the other.
To take this to the next level, as with the DJ controller hosting four channels, if one were to have a mixer connected to four turntables, they’d be able to blend together all four respective layers to get some truly unique sound combinations.
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Stem Format Compatibility
As Stems are simply open audio files, they are available in multiple forms and compatible with many different formats.
- MP4 File Format: The most common way one can find themselves dealing with Stems is in the .mp4 file format. This format contains the above musical layers, including bass, drums, vocals, and melody. They can be played the same as .mp3 files.
- DJ Equipment: As one would expect, Stem files are compatible with most forms of DJ equipment software. This is especially true when it comes to Native Instruments and their equipment.
- Launchpad: While not as common as other format types, Stem files can be used with Launchpad after going through a bit of programming during the setup process.
- WAV File Format: Because Stem files can be used in music production, they can work on higher quality audio formats, including .wave. Here, it can be used with music producers as a way to create different tracks and remixes as well as be performed later by DJs.
Where To Download Stems For DJing
The good news is that, while not quite as many DJing equipment companies are using Stems, the same isn’t true when it comes to available stem-supported software options. There are over six different software choices that one can use for downloading and operating Stem files.
1. Native Instruments (NI)
As mentioned earlier, NI is one of the largest DJing brand companies out there while also the platform leading the pack in Stem file use. Here, their stem-supported software offers upwards of 65 free Stem files to choose from, ranging from House and Funk as well to Drum or Bass.
They also have a ‘Best of’ highlight section to show their top downloaded Stem tracks to give you an idea of what fellow DJs and music producers have most recently shown an interest in. This is a great place to start if you’re a beginner and want to know what tracks you should get first.
2. Beatport
The second-most option available, Beatport has been around for a long time and is a personal favorite for many, often compared to NI. They offer some very impressive visuals for their Stem tracks that are not too dissimilar to .wav files for DJ controllers.
The Beatport site has a page dedicated to Stem files with a large catalog of different files based on genre as well as release schedule. Some of the available genres they have include Drum & Bass, Hip-Hop, Garage, as well as House and Techno House.
3. Loopmasters
Loopmasters, like Beatport and Native Instruments, is a fairly well-known online music retail option, offering some great Stem file pack options. Here, these packs operate slightly differently from standard .mp4 files that you’d find with Native Instruments.
Here, these tracks use a 24-Bit wav file, making them ideal for DJs that plan to use CDJs or turntables in addition to standard DJ controllers.
Additionally, these wav files are great for music producers as they are more easily able to combine to create remixes and wholly new songs for a set.
4. Juno
Juno, while not quite as large as the other three on this list, has quite an impressive selection of tracks available. They are primarily focused on the Tech House, House, and Deep House genres, though you can also find a good amount of Techno and Funky House tracks. Their site, while serviceable, isn’t quite as responsive or as easy to navigate as some of the others on this list.
5. Traxsource
Traxsource is a US-based online website that offers Stems. Here, they offer Stems at roughly $2.99 each depending on the number of tracks. They have a ‘Top 10’ selection, where you can find some great starting Stem file options if you’re just getting started.
6. What People Say
Last on the list, ‘What People Say’ is a simplistic website that offers Stems. They are a bit more expensive than other retail options while not offering quite as many perks as platforms like Beatport (such as individual track highlights).
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FAQs
What Are Stems?
Stems are open audio files that have their different musical layers pre-split and open for isolation. These include the drums, vocals, bass, and melody of a track. Stem files allow you to interact with four different musical elements of a track independently while DJing
Why Is It Called “Stems”
The reason they are called “Stems” is due to their origin as part of a music production process. There, it was used to mix different but related sound groups before ultimately being processed into a master track.
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How do Stems Work?
Stems are a type of audio file that contains a specific element or group of elements from a larger audio recording. They are created by isolating and exporting individual tracks from a multi-track recording, such as a song, and then grouping them together into a single file.
For example, if you have a multi-track recording of a song, you can create stems by exporting the vocal track, the guitar track, the drum track, and so on, as individual files. Each of these files will contain only the audio for the specific track it represents.
Can I Make Stems?
Creating Stems is not only possible but quite easy when you know what you’re doing. You’ll need access to DAW software along with a Stem Creator Tool. Some great DAW options include Cubase, Ableton, and Logic.
Is There A Difference Between Stems & Multi-Tracks?
They may seem similar, but Stems and multi-tracks are very different. Stems operate by combining an assortment of processed audio files and mixing them together. Multi-track files, on the other hand, are made up of raw individual track audio files that have not yet been processed.
Can You Convert MP3s To Stems?
Unfortunately, it’s currently not possible to convert MP3 files to Stem files. This is because MP3s are formed using one stereo track while Stems are made using multiple tracks. This is why Stems is uniquely able to offer access to four different layers.
Are There Any Benefits To Using Stems?
Stems have multiple benefits. Not only do they offer unique sound options for producers and performers, but because the tracks are all open format, they can be used to create tracks without worrying about licensing fees to distribute.
What Brands Use Stem Formats?
Currently, only Native Instruments offers DJ gear that works with Stem open file formatting. Because they are such a driving force in the DJ and music space, their being the first allows more people access than many of their competitors. It’s assumed that, as it gains traction and becomes more popular, other brands will begin to implement Stems.
Where Can I Download Stems?
There are a few different places available for downloading Stem files. Some of the more popular and well-known software options include Beatport, Native Instruments, Loopmasters, and Juno.
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Using Stems For DJs: Summary
With the DJ landscape getting more crowded and competitive, it’s only a matter of time before Stems become a highly sought-after method of standing out. Currently, they aren’t as popular with DJs or music lovers as they could be but those days are fast closing.
By jumping on Stem files now and using them in your performance early, you can beat out the wave of other DJs and producers and make a name for yourself with some unique tracks, and mixes and opening up new performance possibilities.
