How to Export Stems From Your DAW

Why Stem Export Settings Matter

Exporting stems incorrectly is one of the most common mistakes producers make when preparing files for mixing. The wrong sample rate, a missing track, stems that start at different points, or files with master bus processing baked in can derail an entire mix session before it begins. Your mix engineer, whether human or AI, can only work with the files you deliver.

This guide is part of our Recording and Session Prep series. Below you will find the exact export workflow for each of the four most popular DAWs, along with universal best practices that apply regardless of which software you use. Follow these steps and you will never have to re-export because of a technical error.

Universal Stem Export Rules

Before diving into DAW-specific instructions, these rules apply to every export workflow regardless of your software:

• Export from session start to session end. Every stem must begin at the same timestamp. This guarantees perfect alignment when all files are dropped into a new session. Even if a vocal only appears at bar 17, the exported file should contain silence from bar 1 through bar 16.
• Match the session sample rate. If you recorded at 48 kHz, export at 48 kHz. If you recorded at 44.1 kHz, export at 44.1 kHz. Never upsample during export. Upsampling does not add quality; it only increases file size and introduces unnecessary sample rate conversion.
• Always export at 24-bit depth. 24-bit WAV files preserve the full dynamic range of your recording (144 dB theoretical) and give the mix engineer maximum headroom. Never export stems at 16-bit, which is a delivery format for final masters only.
• Disable all master bus processing. Bypass or remove every plugin on your master fader before exporting stems. Master bus compression, limiting, EQ, and stereo widening will be baked into every stem, making them impossible to undo during mixing.
• Name files clearly and consistently. Use descriptive names: "LeadVocal_Verse" is useful, "Audio_Track_23" is not. Prefix with numbers to preserve track order.
• Include a rough mix for reference. Export a stereo mixdown of how you intend the song to sound. This gives the mix engineer context for your creative intent, balance preferences, and overall vibe.

Exporting Stems From Pro Tools

Pro Tools offers several export methods, but the most reliable for stem delivery is Bounce to Disk with Solo/Mute automation or the Export Clips as Files workflow.

Method 1: Bounce to Disk (Individual Tracks)

1. Select the entire session timeline from bar 1 to the end of the last audio region. Add one bar of silence at the end for reverb tails.
2. Solo the first track you want to export.
3. Go to File, then Bounce to Disk (Cmd+Opt+B on Mac, Ctrl+Alt+B on Windows).
4. Set the format to WAV (BWF), 24-bit, Interleaved.
5. Set the sample rate to match your session (do not convert).
6. Choose your export destination folder.
7. Name the file descriptively (for example, "01_Kick_In").
8. Click Bounce and repeat for each track.

Method 2: Export Selected Tracks as New AAF/OMF

If you need to deliver the full Pro Tools session with edits intact, use File, then Export, then Selected Tracks as New AAF/OMF. This preserves edit points, crossfades, and clip gain. However, for most mixing scenarios, consolidated WAV stems are preferred because they eliminate compatibility issues between different Pro Tools versions.

Exporting Stems From Logic Pro

Logic Pro has a dedicated multi-track export feature that makes stem delivery straightforward.

Export All Tracks as Audio Files

1. Set the left and right locators to cover the entire song. Start from bar 1 and extend past the last region to capture reverb and delay tails.
2. Go to File, then Export, then All Tracks as Audio Files.
3. Set the format to WAVE, 24 Bit.
4. Set the sample rate to match your project (usually 44100 or 48000).
5. Under Range, select "Extend file length to project end" to ensure all files match in duration.
6. Uncheck "Bypass Effect Plug-ins" only for sound-design effects you want to keep (amp simulators, synth effects). Check it for corrective processing you want the mix engineer to handle.
7. Choose your save location and click Export.

Bounce in Place (Single Track)

For individual tracks, select the region, right-click, and choose Bounce in Place. Set it to replace the original or create a new track. This is useful when you want to print specific plugin processing (like a guitar amp sim) but keep other tracks as-is. After bouncing in place, you can then use the Export All Tracks method to deliver everything.

Exporting Stems From Ableton Live

Ableton Live requires a specific workflow to export individual tracks because its Export Audio/Video dialog renders whatever you route to the master output.

Method: Export Audio/Video Per Track

1. Select the entire arrangement from bar 1 to the end of the song by highlighting in the Arrangement View timeline.
2. Go to File, then Export Audio/Video (Cmd+Shift+R on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows).
3. Under "Rendered Track," select "All Individual Tracks" to export every track as a separate file. Alternatively, select specific tracks one at a time.
4. Set the file type to WAV, bit depth to 24, and sample rate to match your project.
5. Set "Render Start" to 1.1.1 (the very beginning) regardless of where audio actually begins.
6. Disable "Normalize" to preserve original levels.
7. Under "Create Analysis File," leave this unchecked for stems being sent externally.
8. Click Export.

Exporting Stems From FL Studio

FL Studio handles stem exports through its "Split mixer tracks" option in the export dialog.

Split Mixer Tracks Method

1. Make sure every instrument and audio clip is routed to its own mixer track. This is critical: any channels sharing a mixer track will be combined into a single stem.
2. Go to File, then Export, then WAV file (or use Ctrl+R).
3. In the export dialog, check "Split mixer tracks."
4. Set the bit depth to 24 Bit and leave the sample rate at your project setting.
5. Set the "Tail" option to "Leave remainder" or add a specific tail length (2-4 seconds) to capture reverb and delay tails.
6. Disable "Enable master effects" to ensure no master bus processing is printed.
7. Name your file and choose a save location. FL Studio will append the mixer track name or number to each file automatically.
8. Click Start to render all stems.

After export, review your files. FL Studio names them based on mixer track names, so if your mixer tracks are labeled "Insert 1," "Insert 2," and so on, rename the files to something descriptive before sending them. Taking two minutes to rename files saves your mix engineer twenty minutes of guessing.

After Export: The Verification Checklist

Before you send your stems, take five minutes to verify everything is correct. Import your exported stems into a blank session and check:

• All stems are the same length and start at the same point
• Every track you intended to export is present (count them)
• No stems contain master bus processing or normalization
• File names are clear and descriptive
• The rough mix reference is included
• All files are WAV format at 24-bit
• Sample rates match across all files

Once your stems pass this checklist, they are ready to deliver. Clean stems are the foundation of a great mix. For more on preparing your session before export, read our guide on session cleanup before mixing, and for ensuring your recording levels are correct from the start, check out our gain staging guide.