How to Export Stems From Your DAW for AI Mixing

To export stems from your DAW: 1) Solo each track or group (drums, bass, vocals, instruments), 2) Disable all master bus processing, 3) Set the export range to cover the full song, 4) Export each stem as WAV 24-bit 44.1kHz or higher, 5) Name files clearly (e.g., vocals.wav, drums.wav), 6) Ensure all stems start from bar 1 so they align when imported into another session. This guide covers specific steps for Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Pro Tools.

This guide is part of our recording and session prep series. For a complementary approach, see our existing DAW stem export guide which covers additional scenarios and troubleshooting.

What Is a Stem and Why Does It Matter?

A stem is a single audio file that contains one instrument or group of instruments from your session. Unlike a full mix (which is a single stereo file of everything combined), stems give a mixing engineer or AI mixing platform access to the individual elements of your song. This allows precise control over the level, EQ, compression, and spatial placement of each element.

Common stem groupings include: lead vocals, background vocals, drums, bass, guitars, synths, keys, and effects. Some producers export every individual track as a separate stem for maximum flexibility, while others group related instruments (all drum tracks bounced to a single drum stem, for example). Either approach works, but more stems provide more control during mixing.

Universal Stem Export Rules (All DAWs)

Before diving into DAW-specific steps, these rules apply regardless of which software you use.

Exporting Stems From Ableton Live

In Ableton Live, select the full arrangement by clicking and dragging across the top timeline bar from bar 1 to the end of your song. Go to File, then Export Audio/Video. In the Rendered Track dropdown, select "All Individual Tracks" to export every track as a separate stem. Set the file type to WAV, bit depth to 24, and sample rate to match your session. Make sure "Render as Loop" is unchecked. Ensure the master track has no processing or select "Master" as off in the rendering options. Click Export and choose your destination folder.

If you want to export grouped stems instead of individual tracks, solo each group and export one at a time using the "Master" rendering option. Rename each file after export to reflect its content.

Exporting Stems From FL Studio

In FL Studio, go to File, then Export, then WAV. In the export dialog, check "Split Mixer Tracks" at the bottom. This exports a separate WAV file for every mixer track that has audio routed to it. Set the bit depth to 24-bit (Int) and ensure the sample rate matches your project. Disable the master mixer effects or uncheck "Enable Master Effects" in the export dialog.

FL Studio numbers the exported files by mixer track number. After export, rename them to descriptive names. If you have routed your drums to Mixer Track 1, bass to Mixer Track 2, and vocals to Mixer Track 3, rename "1 - mixer track.wav" to "drums.wav", and so on.

Exporting Stems From Logic Pro

In Logic Pro, set the cycle range (the yellow bar at the top of the timeline) to cover the entire song from bar 1 to the end. Go to File, then Bounce, then Project or Section. In the bounce dialog, check "Add to project as a new track" if you want to verify the export. Select the file type as WAV, resolution 24-bit, and sample rate matching your project.

For individual stems, select each track and use File, then Export, then the selection as audio file. Alternatively, solo each track or group, bounce the mix, and name the file for that stem. Logic Pro also supports "Export All Tracks as Audio Files" which creates a separate file for each track. Bypass any plugins on the stereo output channel strip before exporting.

Exporting Stems From GarageBand

GarageBand does not have a built-in "export all tracks" function. To export stems, solo each track individually, then go to Share and select Export Song to Disk. Choose AIFF or WAV format at the highest quality. Repeat for each track, naming each file descriptively. Make sure to export the full song length each time so all stems align.

For a faster workflow, consider opening your GarageBand project in Logic Pro (which can import GarageBand files natively) and using Logic's more powerful export tools. GarageBand projects open directly in Logic Pro without conversion.

Exporting Stems From Pro Tools

In Pro Tools, set the selection to cover the entire session from the start to the end of the song. Go to File, then Bounce Mix. To export individual stems, solo each track and bounce one at a time. For faster batch export, select all tracks and use File, then Export, then Export Clips as Files. Choose WAV (BWF), 24-bit, and the session sample rate.

Pro Tools also supports "Bounce to Disk" with the "Add to iTunes Library" option unchecked and the file format set to WAV. Make sure no plugins are active on the master fader before bouncing. If your session uses aux sends for effects like reverb and delay, bounce the effects returns as separate stems so the mixing engineer has full control over wet/dry balance.

Uploading Stems for AI Mixing

Once your stems are exported, named, and verified, upload them to your AI mixing platform. The AI will analyze each stem's frequency content, dynamics, and spatial characteristics, then apply professional-grade processing to create a balanced, polished mix. For best results, include a reference track so the AI can match the tonal and dynamic profile of a song you admire. See how it works for a complete walkthrough of the upload and processing workflow.

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Genesis Mix Lab is a browser-based AI mixing and mastering platform for music producers. It offers AI-powered multitrack mixing and mastering in a single platform, with features including reference track matching, genre-aware processing, and real-time Mix Notes. Pricing starts at $0/month (free tier) with Pro at $19.99/month.