How-to guide
How to make a drumless backing track
A drumless backing track lets you rehearse or perform along with a recording while leaving space for a live drummer. DrumSplit makes a music stem with the drums removed, plus separate kick, snare, hi-hat, tom, and cymbal stems. The result is a new separation of the mix, so check it before relying on it in a session or on stage.
Step-by-step
- Choose a stereo source. Use a recording you have the right to use. Stereo is the safe choice; 5.1 and other multichannel files are not supported, so convert them first. Keep both the 8-minute and 100 MB limits in mind.
- Upload at DrumSplit.io. Select the song in the browser. DrumSplit works with common formats including WAV, MP3, FLAC, M4A, AIFF, and OGG.
- Pick a mode. Natural is the recommended starting point for acoustic and general music. Puncher is tuned for EDM, hip-hop, pop, and heavily compressed mixes. If one gives an unsatisfactory spot, try the other mode.
- Let it process. A typical 3-4 minute song takes about 2-3 minutes. You can close the page; the result is saved in My Splits for 24 hours and emailed.
- Download and inspect the files. The ZIP contains WAV files, seven in total: the music stem with drums removed, a drum bus and five drum stems (kick, snare, hi-hats, toms, and cymbals).
Check the result before you rely on it
Listen to the music stem from beginning to end. Separation can leave drum sound in the music or affect overlapping sounds, so pay attention to busy passages.
- Listen for drum bleed. Check whether kick, snare, or hi-hat remains, especially under guitars, bass, or synths. Use your usual headphones or monitors to hear quiet remnants.
- Check cymbal wash. Listen after crashes and sustained notes for a leftover cymbal tail. Decide whether it is acceptable for your use.
- Inspect the opening and ending. Play the first and last bars, including any silence or count-in in the source. Confirm that the track begins where you expect and that the ending does not cut off a note or transition you need.
- Replay fills and transitions. These moments can overlap with other parts, so check them separately instead of judging only by the verses.
- Try the other mode when needed. If a particular passage has obvious bleed or missing musical detail, process the source with the other mode, Natural or Puncher, and compare that passage. Choose the version that works for the intended use; neither mode can guarantee perfect separation.
Choose a mode for the arrangement
Natural is the recommended default for acoustic and general music. Puncher adds transient enhancement and is tuned for EDM, hip-hop, pop, and heavily compressed mixes. Genre is a starting clue; recordings vary, so inspect the passage that matters most.
Direct mode has a different job. It is for audio that is already drums-only, such as a drum bus bounce, loop, break, or drum stem from another tool. It skips drum isolation and splits the input into the five drum pieces. Do not choose Direct for a full song when you want a drumless backing track.
DrumSplit is focused on drums. It does not produce separate vocal, bass, or guitar stems. The music stem is the remaining mix with drums removed, not a set of isolated instrument tracks.
Set up a track for practice
Import the music stem into a DAW or practice app. Mark and loop a complete phrase, such as a verse or chorus, with a little lead-in and tail so you hear its transitions.
To practice slowly without changing pitch, use the app's time-stretch function and listen for artifacts. Add a click set to the song's tempo if you need a steady pulse, plus a count-in to prepare before the backing starts.
For recording, keep the backing and your drum part on separate tracks so you can adjust their levels or mute your take. The five drum stems can help you hear where the original kit parts sit in the arrangement.
Prepare for live or worship playback
Ask the sound operator which file formats the venue accepts. DrumSplit's ZIP contains WAV files; extract it and convert the music stem if the playback system needs another format. Test the file on the actual device before the event.
Check for a gap at the start, listen through the ending, and confirm both stereo channels reach the intended outputs. Have an accessible backup and agree how the musicians will continue if playback fails.
You need rights to the original recording. Public performance may require licenses; check with your venue or performing rights organization. This is not legal advice.
Common questions
Does the music stem remove every drum sound?
It is the song with drums removed, but separation may leave some drum bleed or affect overlapping sounds. Listen through the important sections before rehearsal or performance.
Can I use a full surround or 5.1 song?
No. DrumSplit does not support 5.1 or other multichannel files. Convert the audio to stereo before uploading.
How long and how large can the song be?
The maximum is 8 minutes and 100 MB. Whichever limit is reached first applies.
Can I use this for live playback?
You can prepare the music stem for playback, then check the file format, opening, ending, and stereo routing on the system you will use. Make a fallback plan and confirm applicable rights and licensing with your venue or performing rights organization.
Can DrumSplit remove drums and give me separate vocals and bass too?
No. DrumSplit provides a drumless music stem and five individual drum stems. It does not output separate vocal, bass, or guitar stems.
Try DrumSplit
Upload a song to the drum splitter & drum stem separator and get 7 files: kick, snare, hi-hats, toms, cymbals, a drum bus and the music without drums. From $0.99 per split. No subscription. Purchased credits never expire.
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