AI stem splitter: separate vocals, drums, bass and more

A stem splitter separates a finished song into parts such as vocals, drums, bass, piano and guitar; DeckBe's AI stem splitter, Stem Split, returns up to four of them as separate WAV files plus a Rest file, usually in 1-3 minutes. Each split uses 40 usage credits, and stem downloads are available on paid plans.

Last updated: October 21, 2026

What can the DeckBe stem splitter separate?

Stem Split works with six stem types: vocals, drums, bass, piano, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. You choose up to four of them in a single split. Every split also returns a Rest file that holds everything you didn't select, such as synths, pads, effects and other instruments.

Vocals get special handling. If you split vocals on their own, the lead vocal and the backing vocals come back as separate files, with de-reverb applied. If you pick vocals together with other stems, you get one combined vocal file.

Three presets cover the most common jobs:

How do you split a song into stems?

1. Open Stem Split. Go to Stem Split in the DeckBe Lab in your browser, or open it in the DeckBe app for iOS or Android.
2. Upload your track. MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC, M4A, MP4 and AIFF files are accepted, up to 200 MB and 7 minutes long. A WAV or FLAC source gives the best results.
3. Pick your stems. Select up to four stems, or start from a preset such as Vocal & Instrumental or Full Split.
4. Run the split. Processing usually takes 1-3 minutes.
5. Check each stem in the Mixer. Listen to the results in the app and solo each channel to hear it on its own.
6. Download the WAV files. On Pro, Elite and Ultimate, every stem downloads as its own WAV file, ready to import into your DAW.

Need another stem from the same track? Within 24 hours of a split, use Extract more to run a new split on it without uploading the file again. Each extra split uses 40 usage credits, and stems you have already extracted are skipped.

What are the file limits and output format?

Who uses an audio stem splitter, and when?

• DJs pull an a cappella (acapella) or an instrumental from tracks they own or have cleared, to build edits, intros and transitions.
• Producers recover stems from their own old bounces when the project files are gone, or isolate one part of their own track to rework it.
• Singers and rappers separate their own vocal from a rough mix, or get an instrumental of their own song to perform over.
• Musicians solo the bass, drums or guitar of their own recordings in the Mixer to check a part by ear.

If you want to go the other way and build a full track around your own recording, use the AI song remixer instead.

How much does stem splitting cost?

Every split uses 40 usage credits, whether you pick one stem or four. You can start free with no card: new accounts get 15 usage credits, plus 1 for each day you log in. Because a split needs 40, stem splitting in practice needs a paid plan, and only paid plans can download stems; the Free plan can listen in the app but cannot download.

Splits per month assumes you spend your usage credits only on stem splitting.

Unused usage credits roll over to the next month, paid plans include unlimited downloads with no per-download fee, and yearly billing costs 20% less. See all plans.

Can you split songs you don't own?

Only split audio you own or have permission to use: your own recordings, or tracks whose rights holder has cleared it. Using other people's copyrighted material without permission is not allowed under our Terms of Service. Splitting a track does not give you any rights to the original recording or its parts.

Stem splitter FAQ: what else do people ask?

Is the DeckBe AI stem splitter free?

You can start free with no card, but splitting itself is not free in practice. Each split uses 40 usage credits, new accounts start with 15, and stem downloads are on paid plans; Pro's 250 monthly usage credits cover about 6 splits.

How many stems can I get from one song?

Up to four per split, chosen from vocals, drums, bass, piano, electric guitar and acoustic guitar, plus a Rest file with everything else.

Can I get an a cappella and an instrumental?

Yes. Pick Vocals on their own, or the Vocal & Instrumental preset, and you get the lead vocal and the backing vocals as separate files with de-reverb, plus the instrumental (karaoke) version and an instrumental that keeps the backing vocals.

Which audio formats can I upload?

MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC, M4A, MP4 and AIFF, up to 200 MB and 7 minutes long. Stems come back as WAV files.

How long does it take to split stems?

Usually 1-3 minutes per split.

Does Stem Split work on a phone?

Yes. It works in the browser and in the DeckBe apps for iOS and Android.

What happens if a split fails?

If a split fails for a technical reason, the usage credits are refunded automatically.