User Manual

3.11 Mixing Stem Files using Stem Decks
In this tutorial you will learn how to load and play back a Stem File, and how to perform on
Stem Decks.
Stem Files allow you to interact with four different musical elements of a track independently
while DJing. The four stems of a track can be modified individually to create spontaneous in-
strumentals, remixes, or mashups. You can create transitions between elements stem-by-stem,
or apply effects and EQ to just to a specific stem instead of the entire track. To get really crea-
tive, try swapping elements across multiple Stem Decks, for example, you could take the vo-
cals from one track and mix it with the beat from another. Utilizing your D2, in combination
with TRAKTOR, you can mix music at a deeper level.
Stem Files
A Stem File is a track in the file format .stem.mp4 that contains four audio tracks (Stem
Parts). Each Stem Part represents one of the key elements e.g. drums, percussions, synths, vo-
cals, of the entire track. By default when a Stem File is played back in TRAKTOR all Stem
Parts are audible and result in an entire track.
Due to the large amount of data that must be read from a Stem File, it is currently nec-
essary that Stem Files are analyzed before loading into a Stem Deck. It is not possible to
load and play a Stem File before it has been analyzed. For more information on how to
analyze tracks or Stem Files, refer to the TRAKTOR Manual.
The Stem Deck
On the display of the TRAKTOR KONTROL D2 the Stem Deck looks identical to a conventional
Track Deck but showing the additional identifier STEM. Furthermore, the titles of the Stem
Parts are visible in the Performance mode pane.
Using Your D2—Getting Advanced
Mixing Stem Files using Stem Decks
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