Stem?

[gen5020]

Ok, I give up, what's a "stem".I know what it is in the plant world.I know what it is on a note, but I have never heard of it in music library jargon. Many of the new listings say we must have a "stem".Please, someone enlighten me!Also, while we're on the subject, can someone give a good definition of what a "stinger" is?As always, thanks much.

[gen5020]

Oops, I'm dumb. . . just saw it. . . individually recorded tracks.

[stuarta]

I'd still like to know what a "stinger" is ........Stuart.

[gitarrero]

@stuarta: simply said: the ability to mute one or several tracks in your song - this is the case when you got a multi-track recorded song with all the instruments on seperat tracks, so you'll be able to deliver a version without the leadvoice, a version with only drums & bass, etc.

[davewalton]

Quote:I'd still like to know what a "stinger" is ........Let's see... it's this little thing on the end of a bee... I kind of define it as a short, dynamic piece of music. Something they might use in a drama or reality show when something is about to happen, the music comes in and quickly builds to a frenzy but they break for commercial right at the moment when you think you're going to find out whatever it is. Here's a 10-second stinger:www.DaveWaltonMusic.com/MyMusic/TensionAndTerror.mp3(shameless self-promotion)

[gitarrero]

...ooooh sorry, stuart, I didn't read correctly - I meant you were asking for "stems".

[horacejesse]

If a library wants a party to deliver the individual tracks of the master, then of course they intend to mix it over. Right?A lot of my tracks are uneven here and there. It takes special care to get all the boo boos out, such as places that are too loud on a particular instrument or plain bad notes I want to omit. Gosh, is a library ready for this much work? Or do they expect the delivered tracks to be so perfectly rendered that there is almost no work in remixing them?Yes, this is my new worry just as I am ready to start submitting again. As I gain more experience my tracks tend to be more even and of a unified whole requiring less special care during mixdown.Still, there are a lot of spots that need tending. I can do it, so I assume they can too. But will they want to? Will they simply pass on me in favor of someone whose tracks are a breeze to remix?

[andreh]

Quote:If a library wants a party to deliver the individual tracks of the master, then of course they intend to mix it over. Right?<snip>But will they want to? Will they simply pass on me in favor of someone whose tracks are a breeze to remix?Horace-Libraries don't usually want you to send individual tracks. They may want stems, which are groups of tracks that are already mixed well; this is so they can use them in a variety of situations depending on the need or context.However, I doubt any library would be willing to fix the mistakes in your mixes...a mastering pass is the best you can hope for from them.So, in short...you need to get your mixes sounding great if you want to land any significant library deals. There are some "library pimps" out there who'll accept any song just so they can build their roster, but those aren't the kind of companies that are gonna get your songs placed and $s in your pocket.Andre