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Stems Maker: DJ.Studio's Stem Separation – Features, Workflow & Comparison

The old saying goes “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” - and I think, as a music producer and DJ, that stem separation is an exact representation of this phrase. 

High quality stem separation technology does literally seem like magic to me. You import the song, let the machine do some arcane wizardry, and before you know it, you now have the original intstrumental layers in nearly perfect isolation. 

I remember that even 5 years ago the options here were very basic and limited, but in recent years it’s really become clear how possible and powerful this technology is. And when you try something out like DJ.Studio’s stem separation, you’re going to get that magical feeling yourself!

In this article I’m going to explain the benefits of making stems, as well as how you can quickly use DJ.Studio’s stem maker functionality to split songs out into pristine layers!

TL;DR - Stem Maker Software#

  • Stem splitter technology gives you the ability to isolate different musical layers from a song. 

  • Historically, the quality wasn’t great, but the tech has come a long way in recent years. 

  • Software like DJ.Studio uses cutting edge AI technology to create pristine stems - and comes with a bunch of other features. 

What are Stem Makers, and Why You Need To Use Them#

Stem makers, stem splitters, or stem separators all refer to a type of audio software that gives users the ability to separate out elements of tracks into new stems or samples. 

For example, you can use a stem splitter to grab the drum beat out of a track, or use it to create an acapella by isolating the vocal - or even make an instrumental by removing the vocal. 

In essence, they give you control over the volume balance of elements in a track. 

Stem splitters are super powerful for DJs and music producers alike, here are just examples of how I’ve used stem makers before: 

  • Isolating vocals to make acapella tracks, to use in remixes, mashups, and creative DJ mixes. 

  • Creating instrumental versions of tracks, for extended dance floor remixes. 

  • Making mashups and remixes by isolating various instrumental layers like drums, bass, and instruments. 

  • Creating radio-friendly/clean versions of songs. 

These are just some common ways, but there are endless uses for this tech!

DJ.Studio - The Best Stem Maker Software#

DJ.Studio Show Stems.png
Try DJ.Studio’s Stems Here

At DJ.Studio, we’ve tried out pretty much every stem separation technology and workflow out there - and we weren’t very pleased with what we found. You either had to use some convoluted method of using a VST in a DAW, which was time consuming and cluttered (not to mention expensive)!

Alternatively, there are a bunch of standalone or online services, while these are a bit cheaper, the quality is often pretty disappointing, and it’s still an annoying workflow of having to export a track out your DAW, upload it to the service, wait for it to process, then download it, reimport it - and have to do this each time for different layers. 

These are some of the reasons why we decided to integrate stem separation directly into DJ.Studio itself (and you all asked for it)! 

For starters, DJ.Studio was already a powerful piece of DJ software - with a unique mix creation workflow and an extensive set of tools. But when you include well-designed, easy to use, and high-quality stem separation - it’s a whole new level of exciting. 

How DJ.Studio’s Stem Separation Works#

DJ.Studio now features a stem separation expansion, which gives you unprecedented control over stem creation and editing. 

As you can see in these images and videos - it splits the audio out into 4 separate timelines (drums, bass, other instruments, and vocals). 

You then have full control over their volume and arrangement.

Additionally, you can export all the more stems on their own to essentially recreate the multitrack of the original song - let’s have a look at these features in more detail…

Key Features of DJ.Studio’s AI Stem Splitter#

  • Four Separated Stems: Tracks are divided into vocals, drums, bass, and melody. You can solo or mute each stem independently to craft acapellas, instrumentals, or unique combinations.

  • Integrated Timeline Editor: The stem tool is embedded in DJ.Studio’s timeline. You can drag a song onto the timeline, open a stem view, and edit each stem lane with volume envelopes or basic effects.

  • One-Click Acapellas & Instrumentals: Quickly mute or solo stems to isolate just the vocals or just the instrumental elements of a track, then export them as an instrumental version.

  • Stem Transition Editor: You can automate volume on each stem during transitions - like fading out drums on Track A while bringing in drums on Track B - enhancing smooth mix handoffs.

  • Sample Extraction & Reuse: Easily highlight a section, grab a single stem (e.g., just the vocal hook, electric guitar or acoustic guitar), and paste it elsewhere on the timeline for mashups.

  • High-Quality AI Isolation: The AI algorithm produces super clean separations - that sound way better than other software in side by side comparisons.

  • Near Real-Time Processing: Stem analysis is faster in recent versions, so you don’t wait long before a track is ready for manipulation.

  • Ableton Live Export: You can export separated stems as an Ableton Live project (.als). This is rare among DJ software and ideal for additional production or mastering in Ableton.

Workflow: How to Use DJ.Studio for Stem Separation & Remixing#

  1. Activate Stems: Enable the stem feature in Settings > Extensions.

  2. Import Tracks: Drag in files or import from existing libraries (e.g., Rekordbox, Serato).

  3. Separate Stems: Place a track on the timeline, switch to the Transition tab, and activate “Stems” view. DJ.Studio analyzes the file and creates four color-coded sub-tracks.

  4. Isolate or Remove Parts: Solo or mute stems to create acapellas or instrumentals like a guitar stem, and extract vocals for further editing or manipulation. Copy sections to use them elsewhere in your mix.

  5. Craft a Stem-Based Transition: Overlap two songs, then automate each stem’s volume to design smooth or creative transitions - like swapping drum tracks or layering vocals over a new instrumental.

  6. Mashups & Remixes: Copy stems from different songs to create original combinations. You can also use the Mashup Mix mode, which automatically suggests interesting stem overlaps.

  7. Effects & Automation: Apply effects or EQ to individual stems - e.g., add echo to just the vocal or filter out the bass. While not a full DAW suite, DJ.Studio offers straightforward controls for DJ-style FX.

  8. Export: Render your mix as a single audio file, export isolated stems, or generate an Ableton Live project with stems to refine further in a DAW.

Using DJ.Studio’s Stem Separation in Music Production#

DJ.Studio’s stem separation technology offers a wide range of creative possibilities for music producers. Here are some ways you can use our stem splitter in your music production workflow:

  • Isolate vocals and create acapellas for remixes and mashups

  • Extract individual instruments to create new sounds and textures

  • Enhance your tracks by isolating and processing specific elements

  • Create instrumental versions of your tracks by removing vocals

  • Experiment with new sounds by combining stems from different tracks

By incorporating DJ.Studio’s stem separation technology into your music production workflow, you can unlock new creative possibilities and take your productions to the next level.

Comparison to Other Stem Makers#

While I think DJ.Studio is clearly the best option for most cases, it’s worth looking at some of the competition. 

I think the main downside for DJ.Studio is that it isn’t directly for live DJing. When you create your audio stems, you can use them in DJ.Studio or in other software. So you can use these stem files in your live mixes - which is great when you split them out into four stems. 

Versus Live DJ Software Stems (Serato, VirtualDJ, Rekordbox, djay Pro AI)#

  • Audio Quality: DJ.Studio’s separation is better than industry giants like Serato or VirtualDJ. Some users even find it produces fewer artifacts.

  • Workflow: Unlike typical live DJ software, which uses stems for spontaneous performance, DJ.Studio is for arranged mixes. You get timeline-based precision and can pre-plan transitions rather than improvising.

Versus Dedicated Stem Separation Tools (iZotope RX, Audionamix, LALAL.AI, Moises)#

  • Quality: Reviewers say DJ.Studio’s AI separation often matches or exceeds standalone tools.

  • Integrated Workflow: DJ.Studio goes beyond simply extracting stems. You can immediately arrange them in a DJ-centric interface. Dedicated tools sometimes offer more algorithm customization but lack the built-in remix timeline.

Sound Quality Comparison#

  • DJ.Studio’s stems are generally considered “top league.” Artifacts occur with complex tracks (as with any AI tool), but overall performance is reliable.

Try DJ.Studio’s Stem Separation Features Now#

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Don’t miss out - make sure you get a taste of what magic is possible thanks to DJ.Studio’s powerful stem creation technology. The rest of the software is super impressive too, and it cuts down the mix creation process below 50%! It’s perfect for planning out mixes, or creating full mashup, remixes, and DJ sets

I’ve barely scratched the surface of what this software can do, so make sure you check out the other information on this website, or even better - download DJ.Studio for free!

Conclusion#

Now you have a solid idea of how and why to use stem makers. This tech is honestly one of the most game changing things in DJing and production, and you really don’t want to get left in the dust. 

DJ.Studio offers some of the best features and quality - and I think that nothing else really compares. Sure, this isn’t live DJing software, but you can still use it for preparing live sets and remixes. 

It’s ideal for pre-recorded sets, radio shows, or DJ mixes where you want detailed control. Its overall stem quality competes with leading software, and the convenience of quick editing, automated beatmatching, and Ableton Live export makes it a compelling choice for DJs leaning toward production-style edits. 

Noah Feasey-Kemp
DJ/Producer
I started DJing when I was 15. Started a record label, residency by a club in Bristol. I’ve played at all the biggest clubs in Bristol (and the small ones) and have entertained thousands of dancers! I love writing about music, DJing, and technology. I've been blogging for DJ.Studio since the start of the project, and am always happy to answer questions and help fellow DJs out!

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