Explaining How To Send Stems In Fl Studio (A Beginner’s Guide)

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Would you like to uncover how to send stems in FL Studio both efficiently and effectively?

When you invest in Image Line’s FL Studio, one of the key things you should learn how to do is export stems. 

Stems simply mean the audio files of each individual track or bus in the  FL Studio on your PC. Knowing how to send these files (Stems) becomes a necessity where there is a need to transfer audio files to another professional, such as mixing and mastering pro.

At the end of this article, you would have updated expert updates on the following:

  • A detailed analysis of how to send stems in FL Studio.
  • Answers to FAQs on transferring stems in FL Studio.
  • Pro tips to help you send stems like a professional even if you are not.

Can you now see where we are heading?

On that note, let’s get this show on the road.

For starters:

What Are Stems?

Stems simply refer to extended audio files, usually saved and exported in the format .wav which sums up the elements of a song; a unique stem represented each element in a track. Therefore, stems are a group of audio files.

Stems facilitate the 

What Do You Need To Export Stems In Fl Studio?

You would need the following stuff to export stems successfully in FL Studio:

  • FL Studio program. Version 12 or higher.
  • A functioning PC
  • The diligence to push through.

Let’s proceed:

A Detailed Analysis Of How To Send Stems In Fl Studio

Before we proceed:

You may want to know how to randomize velocity in FL Studio. Please click here.

Now:

Connect The Channels You Want To Export As Stems To The Mixer

The default setting is each instrument is added to a master track. However, this is not we are aiming for, each instrument must be assigned to a unique mixer.

We can connect each project to the mixer by selecting the box on the right-hand side of your desired channel and then press the keyboard shortcut, Cmd+L or Ctrl+L.

The selected channels would naturally appear in the channel rack in the mixer bar of your FL Studio.

Next:

Set the project’s timeframe

In the playlist view of your FL Studio, click on the first or any of the instrumentals you want to export as stems and set the length of the track.

Simple, right?

It’s time to export

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+R or Cmd+R does the job. On the other hand, take this approach if you are a sucker for details.  

Open the following window; File (1) -> Export (2) -> Wave file (3).

Once you have completed these actions, it would prompt you to give a name to your file. This may not be necessary if you are exporting the files as a batch. More about batch export later.

Up next:

Set the export location

If you click the “save as” option, you can choose a desired pathway for saving your files. If you are choosing a New Folder, you would find it in the bottom left corner of the window. Once you have selected a location, hit ‘Save’.

Up next:

Enable ‘Split Mixer Tracks’

For those who are exporting stems in FL Studio, ensure the “Split for Mixer Tracks” is enabled. What this does is to prompt the FL Studio to create a unique wave file for each insert in the mixer.

Finally:

Export

Click the ‘Start’ button at the bottom of the export window. Once the export is complete, you ought to hear a sound signifying the end of the exporting process. 

Pro Tips To Help You Send Stems Like A Professional Even If You Are Not

  • Simply mute all other tracks if you want to export just a single stem of a single instrument.
  • Set Tail to Leave remainder to capture the sounds at the tail end of the song.
  • Rename the mixer track for easy identification of the exported .wav file
  • How do you keep your output of the highest possible quality? Choose ‘512-point sinc’ from the ‘Re-sampling’ drop-down box.
  • 32-bit is technically more accurate of a render and has a greater dynamic range than its 24-bit counterpart, but others may experience compatibility issues with this file type.

Answers To FAQs On How To Send Stems In FL Studio

Why should you rename each mixer track?

The name used for saving your mixer track is what FL Studio would naturally recognize as the name for exported audio file.

Is it possible to export multiple stems in FL Studio?

Yes, you can export all the mixer tracks for an FL Studio project by ensuring the Split mixer tracks option is selected. 

Can I save my stems as MP3?

Yes, but this isn’t the industry’s standard. The best format is to save your stems as .wav files.

How long does it take to export stems?

The duration of stems export depends on the size and the complexity of the project you are working on. Sometime sit takes long, other times a couple of few minutes.

What versions of FL Studio export stems?

FL Studio Version 12 and higher versions.

What are the best tools for transferring the exported stems?

Quality preservation should be your aim when transferring such files. The best thing to do is to send via bluetooth, AirDrop, or upload the file on the cloud for the recipient to download from there.

Why are stems important?

Stems make it seamless for music producer, sound engineers, mixing and mastering professionals, among others, to collaborate effectively on a single project without making errors.

In The End

It is not a fallacy to state that it is very important for music producers using FL Studio to learn how to send stems in FL Studio. It is a crucial skill for effective collaboration among producers, engineers, and other music professionals.

You must have come to the same realizations after reading this post, right?

Published by Josh

Josh here, I am a lover of music and musical instrument. I've been a choir since I was a little boy. I later went to the university to study music and I share everything I know about music and musical instruments on this blog.