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3.8
Using F1 for Stem Deck Control
In this tutorial you will learn how to load and play back a Stem File, and how to perform on
Stem Decks.
Stem Files allow you to interact with four different musical elements of a track independently
while DJing. The four stems of a track can be modified individually to create spontaneous in-
strumentals, remixes, or mashups. You can create transitions between elements stem-by-stem,
or apply effects and EQ to just to a specific stem instead of the entire track. To get really crea-
tive, try swapping elements across multiple Stem Decks, for example, you could take the vo-
cals from one track and mix it with the beat from another. Utilizing your F1, in combination
with TRAKTOR, you can mix music at a deeper level.
Stem Files
A Stem File is a track in the file format .stem.mp4 that contains four audio tracks (Stem
Parts). Each Stem Part represents one of the key elements e.g. drums, percussions, synths, vo-
cals, of the entire track. By default when a Stem File is played back in TRAKTOR all Stem
Parts are audible and result in an entire track.
Stem files must be analyzed before loading and playback. Due to the large amount of data
that must be read from a Stem File, it is currently necessary that Stem Files are analyzed
before loading into a Stem Deck. It is not possible to load and play a Stem File before it
has been analyzed. For more information on how to analyze tracks or Stem Files, refer to
the TRAKTOR Manual.
Stem Deck control on the F1
In the TRAKTOR software the Stem Deck looks identical to a conventional Track Deck. Only
the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 and the TRAKTOR KONTROL D2 are able to additionally show the
four waveforms of the Stem Parts on their displays.
Tutorials and Workflows
Using F1 for Stem Deck Control
TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 - Manual - 53