Split music into instrument stems.

How to extract stems from a sample and use them in your DAW

To work with one part of a mixed sample, upload an audio file you are authorized to process, choose 2, 4 or 6 stems, and download the result as WAV files. You can then import those files into separate tracks in your digital audio workstation (DAW). Extract Stems separates the audio; editing, looping and arranging happen in your own music software.

1. Prepare the audio file

Use an MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A or OGG file up to 100 MB and 10 minutes long. If you only need a short passage, export that passage in your editor first: there is no trim control in the upload workflow. Keep a copy of the original so you can compare the result.

Sign in and verify your email to receive the one-time 5 free minutes. Selecting a file on this page opens your account; you will choose the file again in New split to upload it. Check the measured duration and required seconds before starting. A short file does not necessarily separate more cleanly than a longer one.

2. Choose the parts you need

• 2 stems: Vocals and Instrumental. Use this when you want a voice or the combined accompaniment.
• 4 stems: Vocals, Drums, Bass and Other. Use this for a drum or bass part, or to arrange the main groups separately.
• 6 stems: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano and Other. Choose this when you need the additional guitar and piano outputs; it does not guarantee cleaner separation.

Drums is a combined kit stem, not separate kick and snare files. Vocals does not split lead and backing voices. These are estimated parts of a mixed recording, not the original studio multitracks.

3. Select WAV and download the completed files

Choose WAV before starting if you want WAV stems for editing. MP3 and FLAC outputs are also available. Changing the output format does not restore detail missing from the source or remove separation artifacts.

When processing finishes, listen to each stem on the Result page. Download an individual track or the ZIP containing the stems, then extract the ZIP on your device before importing. Save the files within the 7-day result window. Draft inputs expire after 24 hours, so an unfinished draft is not permanent storage.

4. Import and check the timing

In your DAW, put the stems from the same job on separate tracks at the same timeline position. Keep them at their original speed for the first check. Compare a clear drum hit or vocal entrance with the original sample before moving, trimming or stretching individual parts.

For example, Audacity's File → Import → Audio command adds selected audio files as new tracks. If the starts need aligning, its documented Start to Zero command places selected tracks at the project start. Do not arrange stems end-to-end when you want them to play together.

Before you use the stem in a project

Listen both solo and in context for bleed, missing notes, softened attacks or reverb from other parts. An isolated track can be useful for practice while still being unsuitable for an exposed remix section. No clean-isolation or studio-quality result is guaranteed.

To make a backing mix without bass or drums, import the separate stems into your DAW and mute the unwanted track there. Extract Stems does not currently provide that combined mix, a MIDI transcription, a BPM grid or automatic loop matching. Uploading and separating a sample does not give you permission to redistribute it.

For a voice-only task, see the acapella extractor; for the combined kit, see the drum separator. Review one-time minute packs if the required duration exceeds your available balance.