Stems

Stems

Typically includes

  1. Stem Types
    1. Dialogue
      1. Dialogue
      2. ADR
    2. Group ADR a.k.a. Crowd, Walla
    3. Music
      1. Source
      2. Score
      3. Vocals
    4. Backgrounds/Ambiences
    5. Foley
      1. Footsteps
      2. Props
      3. Cloth
    6. Effects
    7. Sound Design
  2. Theatrical
    1. Immersive
      1. Session
      2. ADM
    2. 7.1
    3. 5.1
  3. Nearfield
    1. Immersive
      1. Session
      2. ADM
    2. 7.1
    3. 5.1
    4. Stems that made the two-track printmaster (note: these may be 5.1, 7.1, or immersive depending on the workflow used)

General Notes and Recommendations

  • These are sometimes called “printmaster stems”, as they are the constituents of the printmaster. This also differentiates them from the M&E stems.
  • There should be a set of stems that corresponds to each printmaster audio configuration, e.g. Immersive, 7.1, 5.1.
  • There should be a separate set of stems for Theatrical and Nearfield.
  • Any changes made during the printmaster pass must be also done to the stems to ensure that the sum of the stems equals the final printmaster.
  • “Wide” stems are recommended, which gives the greatest amount of separation.
  • ADR is often combined with Dialogue in the Dialogue Stem, but can be separate.
  • Separating Group ADR (Crowd/Walla) from Dialogue is common.
  • Separating Foley and Backgrounds from Effects is recommended.
  • Music can be a composite of all music, or split into Score, Source and Vocals. This is often done with musicals.
  • Sound Design can be combined with Effects, or be its own stem.
  • The stem layout is determined by the Re-Recording Mixer.

Formatting Recommendations

  • It is common to put all stem types into one DAW session for a given audio configuration. Each stem type can be delivered separately if delivery requirements dictate.
  • Theatrical and Nearfield stems should have the same layout for consistency.
  • 7.1 and 5.1 stems must be individual consolidated channels as Broadcast Wave (.wav) files and in separate workstation sessions. The workstation session may contain 7.1 or 5.1 session tracks, or it may contain individual mono tracks. Each track must be named to reflect its audio configuration and channel assignment.
  • Immersive stems should be delivered as multiple wide beds with any associated objects in its own DAW session. The stem bed layout will be dictated by the immersive audio configuration e.g. 7.1.2, 7.1.4, 9.1.6.
    • In an immersive Mix, the Re-Recording mixer may configure stem beds and object configuration as desired. Each stem type must have separate beds and objects.
    • In general, the first stem bed track begins at track one and goes to track 10, 12 or 14 respectively. The next stem bed follows. After all stem beds, the objects then start at the next numbered track.
    • All objects for the program should be contained in the stems session.
    • As of this writing, the total number of stem channels+objects can exceed 128, as long as their assignments result in no more than 128 items, i.e., in a printmaster with maximum 128 channels+objects.
  • The ADM (ADM-BWF) is generally made by exporting/bouncing from the workstation session. The ADM should mirror the workstation session layout of beds and objects.