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Stem separation

Stem separation lets you isolate broad musical components from one source file.

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What it can produce

Available stem types:

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How it works

The Meiji Sampler platform includes a separate stem separation binary which is loaded on-demand the first time this feature is needed. The addon and its model weights are separate from the base install. Download and extracted sizes vary by platform. The first separation can require model setup as well as the addon. If the Stems Addon is not available for your platform or the published bundle cannot be verified, Meiji Sampler stops before installing it and shows an installation failure. The base sampler still works; only stem separation is unavailable until a verified add-on bundle is published for your platform.

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Standalone MPC setup

MPC separation runs locally using the existing Demucs htdemucs engine. It uses the optional offline Stems Addon image in the SD package, including the pinned model weights. It does not require a network connection or desktop processing. Use a package built with the verified addon archive and model. If setup is missing or fails verification, Meiji Sampler starts normally and can still play completed cached stems. The Stems Addon screen explains how to update the package and return. The native session verifies and mounts Meiji/Runtime/stems.img read-only; the SD card keeps its existing mount options. Runtime code and weights remain disk-backed instead of unpacking the large bundle into RAM. Completed stems live on SD and survive restart. Desktop addon installation and acceleration keep their normal behavior. This native workflow is experimental. Separation can take substantial time and memory. The inference child is preferred for termination under memory pressure; this is not a guarantee of available memory or uninterrupted audio. A failed child reports an error and preserves the original and previous completed cache. Actual device memory headroom, control/audio timing and safe storage release still need physical acceptance.

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Choose a stem on MPC Sample

Select a pad in A Pads and press [B3] for Mix. Press [B2] to move through the controls to Stem. Turn [DATA] to select a row; press [DATA] or [B3] to edit its value. [−] / [+] adjust without changing the selected row. The mixer scrolls to keep the ninth row visible. [B1] returns to pad detail. All sixteen [SHIFT+PAD] functions keep their existing assignments. Pad detail shows the selected stem and whether it is loading, splitting, ready, or unavailable. A requested stem never plays the original as a fallback. Choose All to restore the original. Selecting a stem preserves the original sample, trim points and chops; the selection is saved with the project. Cached audio loads in the background and remains usable without the separation executable. If setup or processing fails, the error remains visible and the original stays intact. Stop, clearing or replacing a pad, changing the stem, or loading another project cancels pending playback. Completed background work cannot start an old request after these actions.

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When to use it

  • isolate drums from a mixed loop
  • remove drums so you can layer your own
  • extract vocal or bass material for chopping

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Tradeoffs

Stem separation is powerful, but it is not magical. It works best when the source material is already reasonably clean. It’s normal to hear some artifacts. Meiji Sampler uses the Demucs htdemucs model for source separation.