If you are booking mixing for the first time, you will hear “send stems” or “export multitracks.” This guide explains what those terms mean, how they differ from a single song file, and what you actually need to upload.
Stems in one sentence
Stems are separate audio files for groups of instruments in your song — for example drums, bass, vocals and synths — so a mix engineer can balance them together in a DAW.
Stems vs multitrack vs stereo bounce
| Term | What it is | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo bounce | One file of the full song | Listening, mastering (after mix is done) |
| Stems | Several group files (drums stem, vocal stem, etc.) | Professional mixing |
| Multitrack | Many individual tracks (kick, snare, each vocal) | Detailed mixing; more flexible, more files |
On GigTunes, mixing expects stem-style exports (groups are fine; individual tracks are fine if labeled well). You do not send a single MP3 of the whole song for a full mix.
Mastering is the opposite: you send one stereo mix, not stems.
Example stem layout
A typical pop or hip-hop export might look like:
Kick.wavSnare.wavHiHats.wavDrumsBus.wav(optional — some artists print one drum stem)Bass.wavMusic.wav(keys, guitars, synths)VocalLead.wavVocalAdlibs.wavFX.wav
There is no single “correct” stem count — clarity and organization matter more than hitting an exact number.
Why not just send a stereo file for mixing?
A stereo bounce is already mixed together. The engineer cannot:
- Turn up the vocal without affecting everything else
- Replace a harsh cymbal without affecting the kick
- Fix low-end balance between bass and kick cleanly
Stems keep each group editable so balance, EQ, compression and effects can be applied where needed.
If your balance is already perfect and you only need loudness and final polish, you want mastering, not mixing.
What should be on each stem?
General rules:
- One role per stem — do not bounce vocals and drums on the same file unless intentional
- Same length — every file starts at bar 1 and runs to the end
- Same format — usually 24-bit WAV, same sample rate
- No master limiter on individual stems when possible — leave headroom
Effects can be printed (committed) on the stem or sent dry — tell your engineer which you chose in the project notes.
Stems vs “stems” in beat licensing
Beat sellers sometimes say “stems” meaning trackouts (drums, melody, bass). That is the same idea: separate files instead of one MP3. For custom production in your DAW, you export those groups yourself before upload.
How many stems do you need?
| Song complexity | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Simple (few elements) | 8–15 stems |
| Average pop / hip-hop | 15–30 stems |
| Large sessions | 30+ tracks, clearly labeled |
More stems can mean more control; too many unlabeled files slow the session down. When in doubt, group logically and label clearly.
What mastering receives
After mixing, you approve a stereo mix (WAV). That single file goes to mastering — not the original stem folder.
Workflow overview: Mixing vs Mastering.
Ready to export?
Step-by-step export settings, labeling and common mistakes:
→ How to prepare stems for mixing