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How to export stems

A complete guide to preparing your tracks for professional mixing and mastering

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The 4-Step process

1

Prep your project

  • Organize tracks into groups
  • Check for clipping (peaks below 0 dB)
  • Disable master bus effects
  • Export rough mix reference
2

Configure settings

  • Use WAV format
  • 24-bit or 32-bit float
  • Match project sample rate
  • Peak levels -6 to -12 dBFS
3

Export Tracks

  • Export all individual tracks
  • Include effects if desired
  • Full song length with tail
  • Name files descriptively
4

Package & Deliver

  • Include BPM and key in folder
  • Add reference mix & notes
  • Zip and send via WeTransfer
  • Test imports before sending

Preparation Steps

Prepare your project by organizing tracks into logical groups like drums, bass, vocals, guitars, and synths for cleaner stems. Solo each group or track, ensure no clipping (peaks below 0 dB), and disable master bus effects like limiters or compressors to avoid baked-in processing. Export a full rough mix reference first by rendering the stereo master with your intended sound.

Universal Export Settings

Use WAV format at your project's sample rate (e.g., 44.1kHz or 48kHz) and bit depth (24-bit or 32-bit float). Set length to the full song, normalize off, dither off, and include tail for reverb/decay. Aim for consistent peak levels around -6 to -12 dBFS across stems to prevent phase issues or low gain.

DAW-Specific Guides

Ableton Live

Select all tracks except master and sidechains (Shift-click channels). Go to File > Export Audio/Video (Ctrl+Shift+R), choose "All Individual Tracks," enable "Include Effects" for printed FX, and set sample/bit rate to match project. Export to a dedicated folder.

Logic Pro

Use summing stacks or folder tracks for groups. Press Command+B (Bounce Project), select tracks in mixer, choose WAV/24-bit, "Split by track," full song length, and trim silence. Name files clearly like "Song-Drums.wav."

FL Studio

Open File > Export > Zipped loop package or Wave file. Select mixer tracks, set "Split mixer tracks," WAV 24-bit, include insert effects (not master), full song. Review in a new project for alignment.

Reaper

Go to File > Consolidate/Export Tracks. Select desired tracks, set WAV format matching project, full timeline, render automation on. Batch export for efficiency.

Pro Tools

Save a new session version first (File > Save As). Select desired tracks with the grabber tool (hold Shift for multiples), ensure clips align from song start to end, then right-click > Bounce to > Tracks or File > Bounce to > Disk. Choose WAV 24-bit/48kHz, include effects, peaks -6 to -12 dBFS, full song length.

BandLab

Open your project, click the three-lines menu (top left) > Project > Download > Tracks (or "Download All Stems" next to Save). This exports individual tracks as WAV files with effects; rename clearly in the editor first. For mobile, swipe left on tracks, tap three dots > Export as audio per track.

Packaging and Delivery

Name files descriptively (e.g., "SongName_Kick.wav," "SongName_Vocals.wav") and include BPM/key in folder name like "SongName_128BPM_Cminor_Stems." Zip the folder with the reference mix, lyrics/notes, and session details. Send via WeTransfer or Drive, confirming receipt. Test imports in a new DAW project to verify sync and quality.