Stems - help me grasp

[ComposerLDG]

Ok, I know what stems are. I know they are isolated tracks from a mix, and can be a submix with the original track effects.

What I don't get is the software for creating them, such as the this one: http://www.stems-music.com

What I'm not getting is, what's the use of this software? Can't I easily accomplish the same thing within my DAW?

So the fact that I even have these questions tells me I'm missing something. Maybe one of you guys can enlighten me?

Now back to your regularly scheduled Thursday.

[Len911]

Yes your daw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFBCRk-XrBQ

[hummingbird]

I create stems in my DAW by selecting and soloing one track and rendering a wav for it (named appropriately). I also have the ability to render all the tracks in a cue separately, in that case I just have to make sure I've changed the name of the track from 'track 5' to 'instrument name'.

Stems can be:
the raw individual tracks that make up a piece of music, rendered separately to be mixed by someone else (or saved).

Stems can be:
the individual tracks that make up a piece of music, rendered separately with all the effects, to be saved.

Alt mixes or submixes:
the entire track less one or two elements, for example:
- complete track
- alt without lead
- alt without drums

Some libraries like 2 or 3 submixes of each cue.

[stevebarden]

Loren, just hit the MUTE button on any tracks you DON'T want included in a particular stem.

[ComposerLDG]

See Steve, I guess that's my point. Why the need for extra software?

[Len911]

Oh, I see, well the software you linked to was primarily aimed at DJ's. The majority of which may not use a daw??

[mojobone]

Ok, I know what stems are. I know they are isolated tracks from a mix, and can be a submix with the original track effects.

What I don't get is the software for creating them, such as the this one: http://www.stems-music.com

What I'm not getting is, what's the use of this software? Can't I easily accomplish the same thing within my DAW?

So the fact that I even have these questions tells me I'm missing something. Maybe one of you guys can enlighten me?

Now back to your regularly scheduled Thursday.

That's actually a web app/file format for remixing and collaborating over internets. It runs on browsers/players in MP4 format and you make the files with their proprietary (but free) authoring software, but your DAW is probably far more fully-featured. Still, it might be handy for some quick slicing/dicing, even if it's limited to five stems. Like Ableton, it's more oriented toward beatmakers/DJs/EDM producers. There might be some licensing opportunities, if it catches on.