07/01/2024
Happy Monday folks!
Stems are not multi tracks.
Stems are mixes of one or more tracks. Like a "vocal stem" can have multiple tracks like Alto 1 alto 2 tenor 1 tenor 2 etc in one track makes it a stem. A drum stem will have kik snare toms overheads ALL mixed into a stereo or mono stem. Single tracks like lead vocal, snare bottom, Nord Left, Nord right, Bass DI are MULTI tracks. An example is when you use multitracks.com they are usually providing Stems. The mixed drums on a stem. All auxiliary keyboards mixed on a stem. All FX mixed on a stem. All group vocals on a stem ETC. Stems are groups in a way.
I'm noticing the word stems being mistaken for multitracks in our creative or production conversations. They are different and you may be communicating the wrong information to your engineer or producer or performer when you use terms without understanding the meaning.
Hope this helps someone 😁
