Yamaha offers stem splitter app

Okay, so we’ve been banging on about stem separation for some years now – all because e-drummers are constantly asking digitalDrummer about sources of drumless tracks. As we have reported in the past, the mainstream story began in 2020, when online music library Deezer released Spleeter, a stem separation technology which forms the backbone of many online and in-app separation tools available today. We’ve reviewed a range of online tools, from free to pay per-use to subscription versions as well as the functionality bundled into leading DAWs. And now, there’s another new option – a free app from music giant Yamaha. Currently available in the US and Europe, Extrack is an iOS/Android music app that allows users to “practise and play their […]

eMastered Review: Overengineered for drumless tracks

AI is making its presence felt in music technology, with a growing number of online tools offering a range of functionalities, including stem separation. digitalDrummer spent some time with one of the new entries, eMastered, which is primarily promoted as an intelligent mastering tool. It promises “more control over your sound (by enabling you to) adjust parameters like compression, EQ, stereo width, volume, and more… saving them as presets.” This is clearly a production tool with stem separation as a free extra. And speaking of free, eMastered is a subscription service, with the cheapest option coming in at A $15 per month (minimum spend $ 180). However, if you’re organised and can do all your mastering in 30 days, you can buy […]

DAW goes drumless

FL Studio has joined the stem-separation drive, including this functionality in its latest update, FL Studio 21.2. This version extracts vocals, drums, bass, and instruments from complete tracks – all within the DAW. digitalDrummer tried this offering to see how it compares to other stem separation tools which are gaining popularity among drummers keen to produce their own drumless tracks. What’s in the box Unlike some of the online separation tools based on Spleeter, a technology developed by music platform Deezer in 2019, this stem splitter resides in the latest version of FL Studios’ DAW. To access it, you will need the Producer Edition which sells for around $150 (often less with discounts). How it works I have to admit that […]