What Are DJ Stems & How To Use Them In Yours DJ Sets

As DJ software and hardware continue to evolve, new technology emerges that allows for enhanced DJ sets with endless potential for creativity.

Stems are the latest trend to impact the art form, allowing DJs to instantly integrate specific elements, such as vocals and drums, into their mixes.

This guide explores everything you need to know about stems and how to incorporate them into your DJ sets for the best results.

What Are DJ Stems?

Stems are individual elements drawn from complete tracks that can be used independently of each other as components in a DJ set.

Widely considered by professional DJs to be a game-changer for the art of DJing, they’re used in particular DJ gear and DJ software and played alongside complete tracks.

Each stem is saved as an audio file containing vocals and drums, bass lines, melodies, and synthesizer chords and stabs.

This allows DJs to combine disparate elements from multiple songs into a single mix, whether using them as samples or improving transitions.

Stems can also be used for other DJ-related practices, such as producing remixes, mashups, new tracks, or custom cut-downs.

They can be extracted from existing tracks, purchased through online stores, or created from scratch using music production software such as Ableton Live.

This impressive versatility makes the stems feature on DJ gear a vital resource for delivering more artistically inspired sets that transcend traditional mixes.

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How To Use Stems In Your DJ Sets (Step-By-Step)

Familiarity with the scope of stems and how they can be used for various purposes is a great starting point before introducing them into a DJ set.

Now, let’s break down how to use stems to enhance your creative mixing, from choosing the right DJ software to applying different stems to performance pads.

Step 1: Choose Stem-Compatible DJ Hardware

Before acquiring and using stems in your DJ sets, you must ensure you have the correct hardware to use this feature.

DJs using the stems feature have many options across a broad selection of budget ranges and DJ hardware brands.

For budget-friendly hardware, devices such as the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 controller can be picked up for under $200.

Conversely, professional-level gear from brands such as Pioneer and Rane is compatible with stem files and offers more features and effects.

Likewise, the DDJ-GRV6 by AlphaTheta integrates the stems format and the ability to live remix drum loops, opening up creative possibilities.

If you’re unsure which DJ hardware is the best for you, check out opinions and feedback on DJ forums to see what other DJs have to say about a particular model.

Learn more: Discover the best DJ tutorials to help you master stems.

2. Use DJ Software With The Stems Feature

Just as there are several options to consider when it comes to DJ hardware with the stems feature, so are there multiple software options available for DJs.

Many of the best DJ software options include the ability to integrate stem files into mixes, with impressive sound quality and other stem features.

Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro are exceptionally popular, with the Serato stems feature setting the benchmark for the format.

Other DJ software that can be used for mixing with stem files includes Rekordbox DJ, djay Pro AI, and VirtualDJ, each with its own learning curve and features.

Remember that each DJ software has pros and cons, so check out reviews for compatibility, flexibility, and ease of use before deciding which to use.

You should also verify additional stems features available in the software, such as functionality on mobile phones and the need for mapping on pad mode.

3. Gather Your Stem Files

Once you have selected and installed your hardware and software, you can gather stem files for your mixes.

There are four principal categories of stem files, which can be saved in mono, stereo, and multichannel formats for mixes or production.

These are bass, drums, melody, and vocals, with the additional option to save them as uncompressed lossless audio files such as WAV files.

DJ software such as Serato DJ Lite makes extracting stem files from a track easy with its instant acapella extraction, which automatically removes other song elements.

The tool can also isolate instrumentals and drums from a song, using a machine-learning algorithm to deliver optimal results.

Other DJ software has similar features for stem extraction, making it an intuitive process that can be integrated into the software’s other features, such as library management.

You can also buy stem files from various online stores, saving time during the extraction process and allowing for a more tailored approach.

Tip: Find out how to stay relevant as a DJ.

4. Use A Stem Creator Application

A common alternative used by DJs to acquire stem files is through a free stem creator application, which is a standalone tool used independently of DJ software.

Several popular free stem creator applications are available, such as the aptly titled Stem Creator, which extracts stem files from imported songs.

This tool extracts various assets from imported music, including the song’s metadata and title, before compressing individual song elements into stem files.

Gaudio Studio is another easy-to-use and free stem creator application with a browser-based system that is adept at lifting drums and vocals from tracks.

If you’re happy spending money on software to separate stem files, Acon Digital Remix and RipX’s DeepRemix deliver in-depth tools that free software won’t include.

Some digital audio workstations, such as FL Studio 21.2, also include stem separation tools alongside their sequencing and music production features.

Read more: Start mixing with stems using the best DJ software.

5. Create Your Own Stem Files

If you’re a DJ producer with experience creating original tracks, you can easily apply this knowledge to create your own stem files.

Music production and stem files are intimately linked, and separate channels are used in digital audio workstations and other sequencers tailored to stem files.

Most music producers keep their vocals, drums, percussion, and other song elements on separate tracks to allow each to be independently mixed and edited.

As such, exporting these track elements individually along with a stereo master is straightforward, and they can be used as stems in DJ sets.

Once exported from the DAW, simply import the audio file into the stem creator tool and set the master dynamics ready to use in your mixes.

You can use vocals, drums, and other elements as stem files from completed tracks or use your production skills to create dedicated loops specifically for DJing.

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6. Organize Your Stem Files

Knowing how to organize DJ playlists is a crucial skill for delivering the best possible DJ sets with a dynamic and flexible approach to construction.

This is as true for using stem files as it is for traditional mixing with tracks, allowing DJs to quickly find what they need and drop it into the mix.

Stem file organization follows a similar approach to archiving tracks, including the genre, artist, and other factors such as tempo and mood.

You can also organize stem files based on the stem type, categorizing all of your vocals together and strings, percussion, and other elements in separate folders.

If you’re a DJ who enjoys using techniques such as harmonic mixing, you can organize stem files by folder or tag them in your DJ software based on their native key.

Alternatively, you can simply add all the stem files from a given song in its own folder, giving it the relevant name for quick search results.

DJs who are using stems in a back-to-back set may want to discuss issues such as sample rates and file types with their partners in advance using a mutual categorization system.

7. Practice Using Stems In DJ Sets

As with mastering any technical aspect of DJing, experimentation and practice are the key to delivering interesting results that capitalize on your stems library.

If you’re relatively new to DJing, you can start by using percussion-based stems and using these to overlay them on other tracks.

The more advanced you become, the more variety of stems you can apply to your mixes, such as using them for harmonic mixing in transitions.

This technique can be simplified by applying the Camelot Wheel, which indicates compatible keys based on identifying a song’s root key.

Other DJ mixing techniques, such as DJ phrasing, can also be integrated into the stems feature, allowing for complex and exciting mixes.

You can also consider experimenting with using stems across different genres, applying vocals from one style of music to different tracks.

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8. Master Stems Pad Mode

Many of the most popular DJ controllers feature robust and versatile performance pads that make it easy to apply stems to a mix.

For example, the Serato stems feature makes it easy to replace pad mode on your pre-mapped hardware and assign various stems to each pad.

This feature allows for exceptional flexibility to transition from your existing pad mode to open up new mixing techniques with your selected stems.

If you’re using a dedicated controller with stem control, such as the Rane Four, the process is even more straightforward, allowing for next-level performance possibilities.

You can use the performance pads to trigger each stem independently or sequentially, switching out musical elements on the fly.

Depending on your choice of compatible software, you can also apply various effects, such as echoes, brakes, and filters, to these stems.

9. Use Stems For Blends & Mashups

Stem files have a broader application beyond simply using them in DJ sets, with the option to use stems for production-based processes, including blends and mashups.

They function similarly to DJ samples and loops, providing drums, bass lines, vocals, and instruments as building blocks for a mashup.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to make mashups, the process is essentially a simplified variation on complete track creation, with lots of tools to help you learn.

You can start by using a drum stem and use this to apply a different bass line, then layer the mashup with acapella vocals and other instruments.

The larger your stems library, the greater the scope for putting together a diverse range of mashups to include in your live DJ sets.

Some mainstream music producers provide additional resources by encouraging fans to use the stems of their releases to create mashups and remixes.

Recommended: Keep on top of the latest DJ music trends.

10. Learn From The Professionals

Lastly, if you want to use stems in new and exciting ways, it’s worth spending time learning from the professionals and seeing how they apply them in sets.

Many high-profile DJs and music producers are happy to share their workflows and offer essential tips for DJing with stems that you can add to your repertoire.

This can range from sharing their approach to discovering unique acapella and other song elements that other DJs are unlikely to include in their sets.

It can also focus on how to alter the mood of a DJ set through stems, such as adding in another drum track or changing the bass line.

Instrumentals can also uniquely alter the feel of a DJ set, particularly when the source songs complement one another.

Many incredible DJ sets online showcase how professionals work around the mixer’s features and incorporate the stems feature into their transitions.

Spend time checking out performances from your favorite DJs and reading through DJ message boards to learn what advice other experienced DJs can offer.

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Summary

The performance possibilities that stems offer have been a game-changer for DJs who want to take their mixes in new and exciting directions.

Following the steps outlined in this article and experimenting with different musical elements, you can use stems to create smooth transitions and exciting soundscapes.

The more stems you add to your music library over time, the greater the potential for showcasing your talent and versatility as a DJ will become.