600 Labels Sign Up for Stems Audio Format

Native Instruments has announced that 600 record labels have been recruited for newly designed audio format, Stems.

The concept is simple: rather than simply having a whole track – to which DJs can only apply EQs and effects – Stems breaks tracks down into four component parts, e.g. drums, bass, vocals and synths. This then allows DJs to combine and affect different elements of tracks in ways which they never could before.

Although developed by Native Instruments, the format will be universally available, provided the user has compatible software. Stems files won’t affect normal use either, since the files come as standard MPEG-4s, so will play in stereo through regular devices.

So far, the likes of R&S Records, Ghostly International, Shogun Audio, 50 Weapons, Hypercolour, Hotflush, Herzblut, Noir Music, RAM Records, Sci + Tec, Spinnin’ Records and Toolroom have signed on for the new format, along with a bucketload more labels.

It seems the future is upon us already, and it looks pretty bright.