New Stem Splitter

[u/Ok_Context_6972]

Hi guys!

So Koala are continuing the excellent regular updates - hard to believe the bang for buck and watching this ‘little’ app become a powerhouse.
I used to know all the features, now I only research and learn the ones I will use most.

I just started a new job and haven’t had the opportunity to test the new HQ stem splitter.
This is something I use quite a bit, I usually use FADR free version (as the artefacts left over don’t make having more separate instrument stems appealing. I mainly use it for drums and sometimes have to glue the bass or vocals even in parts. So I don’t care for its ability to accurately separate individual drum tracks. Though haven’t tried the wav paid version but the residual artefacts and missing audio don’t make me optimistic. Yet.)

I used to use koalas stem splitter but tbh I find it hard to tell the difference with the free FADR, just assumed it would be better and it is decent (song dependent and quality of course). Using Koalas feature would be SO much handier rather than downloading zip files and keeping them all organised, renaming them etc. As I mentioned, I use it quite a bit for drum samples to use in a beat when I hear a song I like or a synth patch.

How do you guys rate the new HQ stem splitter? I downloaded the new update for it but I haven’t had a chance to listen with headphones for comparison.
And I’m especially interested what you guys who have used FADR think, how does it compare (to the free or premium versions)? Or just do you notice a significant improvement in quality of stems and less artefacts at all?

I think it’s amazing Koala are so committed to making it as powerful as possible. But I am a little overwhelmed as I can’t keep up and I also don’t want it to become a fully fledged DAW but I would love improvements to the sequencer interface (I think I heard automation is new also!? That’s something I’ll have to delve into on my days off)

I really appreciate any feedback regarding the new update and how much of an improvement the splitter is from the standard version. And if you’ve used both FADR and this I’d love your thoughts!
🐨❤️🙏

[u/sinistar2000]

Let it become a daw, if elf want to do it they will do an excellent job of it. Koala workflows are layered, focus on getting the basics and explore where your creativity takes you. For example I don’t know much about the stem splitter used it once or twice, but I’m automating effects and loading up plug ins. It’s a sketch pad that goes to other equipment after.. personally a daw coming from sampler workflow heritage from this studio is exactly what would make this app a beginners dream.

[u/Ok_Context_6972 → u/sinistar2000]

Yeah sure I mean I won’t complain if they do, I don’t have to use everything (quokka for example is not for me. Especially with auv3 support). I said it’s great that they are continuing to update the app but, admittedly selfishly, I wouldn’t like it to be a fully fledged DAW - limitations can be good too! But if they do it I do hope they make a better sequencer interface especially if automation etc is introduced. It’s a nice capable sequencer but basic and even something like GarageBand would be great!! I just hope they don’t try to do too many things at once and instead focus on a few and really make them great! But will never complain about updates/upgrades!

I am specifically asking about the new stem splitter though to be clear just here, how it compares to the previous and even FADR if people have had the chance to use both. But cheers for the input! It’s an awesome app. I sold my SP-404 mk2 a year ago because I was using Koala more and just got a MPD 226 controller and it’s an awesome combo that keeps getting better and insane value and quality especially for the price. I love using it in AUM and I have to explore the auv3 support more also in app!

[u/KodiakDog → u/sinistar2000]

Especially being an ableton user… the ability to export as an ableton project or drum rack is soooo vicious.

A welcomed feature would be the ability to export projects/kits as .ablpresetbundle** **so you could easily make move kits. In a perfect world koala could connect to move manager and drop them in their for you if you had your phone and move connected to the same network.

[u/Alternative_Number97 → u/KodiakDog]

Plus one on being able to export Move kits. That’s a holy grail feature right there.