A video editor I know asked for a couple of my music pieces so he could present them to a client for a commercial. If they decide to use them, I need to give him "stems". My definition of stems is this: individual mixed tracks, with some form of tone at the beginning which allows them to be synced together, but still allows the editor to drop sections out individually. In this particular case, he would want all higher register and lower register instruments grouped together, and the mid-range as another separate track, as spoken word takes up the same mid-range areas and he'll be dropping those sections out somewhat. Please feel free to correct or add to my definition, as this was all gleaned from one brief conversation yesterday. My question: is there an automatic way of creating these tracks and a sync tone in Logic or Soundtrack? Also, what range of kHz should I be most concerned with, if spoken voices are the issue?

Hi sammy, If these are the kind of stems he's after (you'll need to confirm with your client really), then use the Channel EQ on your main output 1-2 to cut the high and low frequencies and then bounce it down. Then use a different setting to cut the mid frequencies out. A sync tone could be achieved by using sine wave in the Test Osc instrument. Bounce a short amount of it, cut it down to the required length and insert it as a sync tone. Cheers Rounik

Thanks for this. I checked with my video editor friend, and he actually wants to be able to cut out specific instruments, but I think I have that figured out. I'm not sure where to find the Test Osc though.

Here's my 2p worth! Stems- I haven't heard that term to describe differently EQ'd mixes, but there's a first time for everything. you'd really need to check to see what exactly he/she thinks they are getting from you. I'm a dubbing mixer by day, and stems to me can mean different mixes with stuff left out. i.e. a full mix for a TV program will have dialog, FX and music all mixed in together. Sometimes I'm asked to provide each of these as separate stems. Or sometimes the separate feeds of a 5.1 mix are referred to as stems. Maybe the editor wants different arrangements from you? Say one version with no percussion, another with no melody (I think this is also called an underscrore?) Hard to say without knowing what sort of music you're providing ... Try to get a chat with your video guy again. I deal with video editors all the time- weird people. But I believe they think audio guys are the weird ones! As for sync... Usually nowadays a BWAV file is used to send timed audio files. I think BWAV is the same as a WAV file but with time(code) included. I think exporting as a WAV file will give the timing info as standard, but I'm really guessing here. Usually video editors work to accuracy of a frame. So as long as your stems all start at the same bar in your mixdowns (i.e. all starting at bar 1 even if there's nothing on one of the versions till bar 5) you should be OK. If the editor wants a sync tone, this is usually 1 frame of tone at a fixed point before the music. Hope this hasn't added more confusion?! Cheers. EDIT (you replied just before I posted! Ignore the stems part above, as you've that bit sorted, As usual my timing sucks!!)

Hey Sammy, Kwackman's post is spot on IMHO. Use the one frame tone trick. the wave files exported from Logic will carry the timecode AFAIK - but always best to make sure when you bounce them they start from the same start point. the test osc is an Instrument. Create a new software instrument track Insert a test osc in the I/O section. Cheers guys! Rounik

Thanks for your input too! So a single frame of tone might be about a 1/32 note equivalent?

Thanks! 1/32 of a note will depend on the tempo of your track, a frame is always consistent in terms of time. In the USA you'd use 29.97 fps and in the UK and Europe you'd use 25 fps. It'll be more accurate to use the smpte display in the Bar Ruler. (Switch to Time or Time & Bars). Control click on the Transport and select "Open Giant smpte display" or similar and move the playhead by one frame to see the length of a frame. Zoom right in to the arrange first. The SMPTE time ruler is divided into hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. Cheers Rounik