StemDeck offers free, local AI stem separation on your desktop

StemDeck splits audio tracks into six individual instrument stems directly on your computer, no cloud required.

The new open-source desktop app caught attention on Hacker News this week. Drop in an MP3, FLAC, or YouTube link, and StemDeck isolates vocals, drums, bass, guitar, piano, and other instruments using Meta AI's open-source Demucs model. It includes a built-in multitrack mixer to solo stems, check song key and BPM, and export custom mixes.

Why it matters: Commercial splitters like Moises or LALAL.AI lock features behind subscriptions and process your audio on third-party servers. StemDeck runs entirely on your hardware. That means zero fees, no monthly quotas, and your files never leave your machine.

Know this: Processing speed depends on your specs—it runs fast on Apple Silicon or NVIDIA GPUs, but slower on basic CPUs. It also skips mobile apps and extra tools like pitch shifting or chord detection.

It's a straightforward, privacy-friendly tool for anyone who wants audio stems without a monthly bill.