Everything You Need to Know About Track Stems – And Why You *Need* Them

If you’re aiming to record and release professional-quality music, having access to *tracked-out stems* of a beat is essential. These stems give you far more control over your sound—and if used correctly, they can take your song from “good” to “radio-ready.”

For many independent artists, stems are unfamiliar territory. So in this guide, we’ll cover:

- What track stems are

- The difference between individual and group stems

- Why stems matter for mixing and mastering

- Why they’re worth the higher licensing cost

- What to do if you can’t afford a license with stems right now

**What Are Tracked-Out Stems?**

You might see terms like:

- **Tracked-Out Files**

- **Track Stems**

- **Individual Stems**

These all refer to the same thing: **the individual audio files for each instrument or sound in a beat.** For example:

- Kick

- Snare

- Hi-hats

- Piano

- Guitar

- Bass

- Synths

Each of these sounds comes as a separate file, giving your audio engineer—or you—more freedom to shape the final mix.

These are usually included in higher-tier (non-exclusive or exclusive) licenses.

*Two Types of Stems: Individual vs. Group**

Let’s break it down:

**1. Individual Stems**

These are the isolated tracks for each sound. This is what most online producers are referring to when they say “tracked-out stems.” These are ideal for mixing and mastering because they give full control over every element in the beat.

**2. Group Stems**

These are grouped by category—like all drums in one file, or all guitars together. Group stems are mostly used by video editors, film composers, or mastering engineers when final mixes are being prepped for distribution.

For making your song sound its best, **individual stems are the way to go**.

**Why Tracked-Out Stems Matter**

One word: **Control**.

With stems, you (or your engineer) can:

- Adjust the volume of each instrument

- Change the arrangement of the beat

- Clean up clashing frequencies

- Create space for your vocals

- Tailor the mix to your unique style

This level of flexibility can’t be achieved with a single audio file of the beat. If you want your vocals to sit perfectly in the mix—or make subtle changes that elevate your track—**stems are the key**.

**Mixing with an MP3 vs. Mixing with Stems**

Let’s be clear: **Never mix vocals over an MP3 beat** if you’re serious about your sound.

MP3s are compressed, low-quality files—not suitable for professional mixing or mastering. They might work for demos, but not for official releases.

Even WAV files, while higher quality, are still just a *single file*—which limits what you can do. And here’s another catch...

#### **Beware of Pre-Mastered Beats**

Most MP3 or WAV files sold online are already mastered. Producers boost them for loudness to sound better on platforms like YouTube. That’s great for listening—not so great for making your own version of the song.

**You can’t properly master a beat that’s already been mastered.**

Trying to do so will often leave your song sounding harsh, unbalanced, or muddy.

**Why Stems Cost More (And Why They're Worth It)**

Licenses that include tracked-out stems are typically more expensive—usually in the range of $50–$150. But here’s what you’re paying for:

- **Higher sound quality**

- **Full creative control**

- **Improved licensing rights** (more streams, sales, and exposure)

- **Better mixing and mastering outcomes**

If you're serious about releasing your music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, investing in stems is a smart move. It gives your track a better shot at landing playlist placements, blog features, or even label interest.

**What If I Can’t Afford the More Expensive License?**

That’s completely understandable—we’ve all had to start somewhere.

If stems are out of your current budget:

- **At minimum, get a WAV version** of the beat. It’s uncompressed and will give you a better mix than MP3.

- **Skip stems for demos, freestyles, or social media content**, but **do not** use MP3s or single WAV files for official singles, music videos, or streaming releases.

- **Plan to upgrade later.** Many producers (myself included) allow license upgrades—you only pay the difference. Just double-check if that policy applies.

Remember: one great-sounding song is better than ten that sound amateur. Make it count.

**Final Thoughts**

If you came here trying to decide which license to buy, I hope this helped clarify things. If not, feel free to reach out through the contact page on my site—I’m always happy to help you make the right choice.

In the meantime, keep honing your craft, building your audience, and making great music. The more you invest in your sound today, the better your chances of standing out tomorrow.

Credit: Information  by Robin Wesley