You can separate the drum beat by uploading your audio file to an AI stem splitter, which isolates the drums from the vocals, bass, and other instruments.
When you need to isolate the drum beat from a mixed audio track, you must use an audio separation tool to process the file. Stem Split AI allows you to separate any song into five distinct stems, including a dedicated drum track. This guide explains exactly how to prepare your file, how the separation process works, and how to download your isolated drum stems.
What do you need to extract drums from a song?
Before you begin the process of separating your audio, you must ensure your file meets the specific requirements of the stem splitter. You cannot use links to streaming platforms; links such as YouTube are not accepted. Instead, you must have an actual audio file saved on your device.
The tool accepts five specific audio formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, and OGG. If your audio is in a different format, you will need to convert it to one of these five accepted file types before you upload it.
There are also strict limits on the size and length of the audio you can process. The file you upload must be no larger than 90 MB. Additionally, the audio track can be up to 10 minutes long. If your file exceeds 90 MB or runs longer than 10 minutes, the system will not accept it, and you will need to trim or compress the file before trying again.
Finally, users must have the right to process the audio they upload to the site. If there are any copyright issues, copyright notices go to contact@stemsplitai.com.
How to extract drums from a song step-by-step?
The process of isolating the drum track involves uploading your file, waiting for the initial processing, reviewing the preview, and then initiating the full download.
First, navigate to the Stem Splitter. Select your MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, or OGG file from your device and upload it. Once the upload is complete, the AI begins working on the track. The preview comes first, usually within a few minutes.
Every split plays a 30-second preview of all five stems. This preview gives you a chance to hear exactly how the drums sound when separated from the rest of the mix. The 30-second preview starts at 0:30 in the track. However, if you upload a song that is under a minute long, the preview will start from the beginning of the track instead of 0:30.
Splitting and previewing are free. If you do not have an account, you can process 1 song a day. If you are signed in, you can process 5 songs a day.
If you are satisfied with the 30-second preview of your drum stem, you can proceed to download the whole song. Downloading a whole song costs 125 credits. Once you spend the credits, the system processes the entire track, which takes a few minutes more. After this final processing is complete, your files are ready to save to your device.
What audio formats and file sizes are supported?
To ensure your upload is successful, you must match the exact file specifications required by the system. The table below outlines the accepted formats and the maximum limits for any uploaded song.
| File Requirement | Supported Specification |
|---|---|
| Accepted Formats | MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, OGG |
| Maximum File Size | 90 MB |
| Maximum Track Length | 10 minutes |
| Unsupported Formats | Links such as YouTube are not accepted |
What are the five stems generated from your file?
When you upload a single audio file, one split gives five stems. You do not only get the drum track; you receive a complete breakdown of the audio.
The five stems are:
- Vocals
- Instrumental
- Drums
- Bass
- Other
For users looking specifically for the drum beat, the "Drums" stem provides the isolated percussion elements. The "Instrumental" stem is a combination track; it consists of the drums, bass, and other stems added together. The "Other" stem contains the remaining musical elements that are not classified as vocals, drums, or bass, such as guitars, synthesizers, or strings.
How does the AI separate the drum track from the rest of the audio?
The separation of a single mixed audio file into five distinct stems requires complex machine learning algorithms. The stems are separated with Demucs htdemucs. This is an open-source model developed by Meta AI research.
Instead of relying on third-party processing centers, the Demucs htdemucs model is run on our own servers. This infrastructure handles the initial analysis that generates the 30-second preview within a few minutes, as well as the full-length processing that takes a few minutes more once you spend your credits.
How much does it cost to download the isolated drum stem?
While splitting and previewing are free (1 song a day without an account, and 5 songs a day when signed in), you need credits to get the full files.
Downloading a whole song costs 125 credits, which is $0.50. When you spend these 125 credits, you receive all five stems, including your isolated drum track.
To get credits, you make a one-time $5 purchase. This one-time purchase adds 1,250 credits to your account. Because each full song download costs 125 credits, this $5 purchase provides enough credits for 10 songs. There is no subscription required; you simply buy credits when you need them, and credits are only spent on a download. All payments are processed securely through FloatPass.
When you download a whole song, you receive the files in two different audio formats. You get all five stems as MP3 files at a bit rate of 320 kbps. You also get all five stems as WAV files at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz. This ensures you have both a compressed format and a high-quality uncompressed format for your drum track.
How long are your files kept on the servers?
File retention policies dictate how long you have to access your uploaded songs and your separated drum stems.
Uploads are deleted after 1 day. This means the original MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, or OGG file you provided is removed from the servers 24 hours after you upload it.
The separated stems are deleted after 7 days. You have exactly one week from the time of processing to download your drum, vocal, bass, other, and instrumental stems. If you do not download the files within these 7 days, you will need to upload the original song and process it again.
Furthermore, all files are only available to the person who uploaded them. Your original audio tracks and your separated stems cannot be accessed by other users on the site.
What mistakes should you avoid when extracting stems?
To ensure you get your drum track without any issues, avoid these common errors:
Do not try to upload a link. The system requires a direct file upload. Links such as YouTube are not accepted, and attempting to paste a link will prevent the process from starting.
Check your file size and length before uploading. If your file is larger than 90 MB or longer than 10 minutes, the upload will fail.
Always listen to the preview before spending your credits. The 30-second preview of all five stems is provided so you can evaluate the quality of the drum separation. Because credits are only spent on a download, listening to the preview ensures you only pay for results you want.
Do not wait too long to download your files. Remember that stems are deleted after 7 days. If you spend your 125 credits but forget to save the MP3 and WAV files to your device within a week, the files will be gone.
Finally, ensure you are using the correct file format. Only MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, and OGG are accepted. If you try to upload an unsupported format, you will not be able to generate the stems.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extract drums from song links like YouTube?
No, links such as YouTube are not accepted. You must upload an MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A/AAC, or OGG file directly.
How much does it cost to extract drums from song files?
Splitting and previewing are free. Downloading the whole song with all five stems costs 125 credits, which is $0.50.
How long does it take to extract drums from song tracks?
The 30-second preview usually comes first within a few minutes. Processing and downloading the whole song takes a few minutes more.
What audio format will my isolated drum track be?
When you download the whole song, you receive all five stems as MP3 (320 kbps) and WAV (16-bit, 44.1 kHz).
How long are my drum stems saved on the site?
Your original uploads are deleted after 1 day, and the separated stems are deleted after 7 days. Files are only available to the person who uploaded them.