Native Instruments shared this sneak preview of DJing with their new ‘Stems’ music file format.
Stems is an open audio file format that basically stores four ‘stem’ tracks (for example – bass, drums, melody & vocals) alonwg ith the full mix. The format is designed to simplify live remixing of tracks, because it provides a standard way to deliver remix-friendly audio.
When playing a track, the Stems format makes it easy to do drop out any of the four stem parts. Native is aiming at broad adoption by making Stems an open format. They also plan to release a free tool for creating Stems files, Stem Creator Tool.
Here’s what NI has to say about the preview video:
Create mixes that truly stand out with Stems – a new, open music format designed for creative DJing. http://www.stems-music.com
With track elements like the bass, drums, melody, and vocals split-up independently, Stems introduces entirely new ways to mix that were impossible – until now.
Create instant track edits, mash-ups, a cappellas, and more by bringing tracks’ elements in and out of the mix.
And, you can use effects with a whole new level of detail – apply reverb to just the vocals and leave the rest dry, for example.
See our previous post on the new format for STEMS FAQ’s or visit the NI Stems site.
via aymat
If you’re good enough, you can do the same thing with an EQ, honestly. Cool concept, seems it would get messy fast. I think I would prefer it to be in the studio, things move very fast on stage and the more simple and intuitive you can make your performance set-up, the better. This goes against that philosophy.
It’s possible to extract vocals from a mix, too, as long as you don’t care about how it sounds.
Anyone with remixing experience or experience DJing with Ableton Live understands the benefits of having stems vs trying to fake it with EQ and filters.
Right, “Anyone with remixing experience or experience” would laugh at the claim that it’s all possible through “an EQ”.
“If you’re good enough, you can do the same thing with an EQ, honestly”
That doesn’t sound like honesty to me, it sounds like those people who seriously think that they can make “karaoke/acapellas” by getting rid of the center channel.
Hopefully though, this will incentivize producers to sell their own stems. That way you can buy a clean vocal stem and then remix as you please. Cool concept for sure…but for someone who plays mostly house, not sure this level of depth is needed live, the EQs can do the trick pretty well.
Who is this directed towards? kids with ADD? It just seems like such a hassle. I’ll stick to remixing in my studio, not on the stage.
not bitching at all, but i’m truly sorry that we can’t get like 6 channels. that way things can really get a bit messy. but i think I’ll be trying this.
Why not tascam?
gotta be honest, This is really cool. Of course, things can get messy, but things can get just as messy with two standard decks. I’m excited to see what people do with this format, and how it changes the way Djs perform. Hopefully it will inspire people to stay away from just being “play button” DJs.
Great idea. I have seen many live acts doing this (remixing the stems of their own productions live) with Ableton Live over the years, and this brings that method of live remixing to Traktor, where the FX, layout and workflow are better suited to DJing. (My humble opinion, no troll intended)