Digital DJ Tips reader Paco S. writes: “I DJ a lot of mobile and wedding gigs, and sometimes I need to play an instrumental version of a song. Can the Traktor Kontrol S8 turn an MP3 track into a Stems file so I can just easily mute the vocal of any song in my music library?”
Digital DJ Tips Says:
No, it can’t – the Traktor Kontrol S8 is a controller that can play back Stems files, but it won’t suddenly convert a regular MP3 into a multitrack file that lets you single out its elements (ie vocals, drums, synths, etc). That goes for all the other Stems-compatible Traktor controllers too like the Kontrol D2 and Kontrol S5.
MP3 files contain only one stereo track, while a Stems file can contain up to five tracks (four “stem” tracks, one “stereo master” track). That’s why you’re able to mute, solo, and manipulate these four tracks using the Traktor Kontrol S8’s deck faders.
If you need to drop an instrumental version of a tune, try searching for it on record pools (usually a great source). If it’s a newer song, you could try looking for a Stems version too if it’s available.
What’s your favourite resource for getting instrumentals or purchasing Stems? Share them with us below.
Joey Santos
