How to separate stems in DaVinci Resolve Studio

You can separate stems in DaVinci Resolve Studio with StemForge. Open it from Workspace > Workflow Integrations > StemForge, load a clip from the Media Pool or the timeline, choose 4 or 6 stems, run the separation, and import the results into a StemForge bin in your Media Pool. It needs DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 or newer. The free version of DaVinci Resolve cannot load it.

What you need

• An Apple Silicon Mac.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 or newer. StemForge uses Workflow Integrations, which only exist in the paid Studio version.
• StemForge installed and activated with your license key: the desktop app, plus the Resolve plugin from the Install DaVinci Resolve Plugin.command installer. Restart Resolve after installing. The setup guide has every step.

Steps

1. Open the panel. Make sure the StemForge desktop app is running (look for its icon in the menu bar). In Resolve, choose Workspace > Workflow Integrations > StemForge. The panel floats above Resolve, because Resolve does not let plugins dock inside its own window.
2. Load audio. Use Media Pool Selection for the clip selected in the Media Pool (the whole file), or Clip at Playhead for the audio clip under the playhead (only the part used on the timeline). You can also drag a file in from Finder or choose Browse.
3. Check the tempo and key (optional). Run the analysis to read the BPM and musical key. See BPM and key detection for DaVinci Resolve Studio.
4. Choose the split. The 4-stem model gives you vocals, drums, bass, and other. The 6-stem model adds guitar and piano, and it runs slower. You can also choose a simple vocals and instrumental split.
5. Run the separation. The desktop app does the work on your Mac while the panel shows progress.
6. Import the results. Click Import and the stems land in a StemForge bin in the Media Pool, with one sub-bin per song and the stems color-coded. The files are also saved in your Music > StemForge folder. Drag any stem onto your timeline.

Working with the floating panel

• It stays above Resolve, even when Resolve fills the screen, and hides when you switch to another app.
• Drag the header to move it and resize it from its edges.
• Minimize it to a slim tab on the edge of the screen, and click the tab to bring it back.

Getting clean results

Results are cleanest on music with distinct vocal, drum, bass, and instrument parts. Dense or heavily processed mixes can leave traces of other parts in a stem. The first time you run it, the desktop app downloads its audio model (about 80 MB), and the 6-stem model downloads in the background afterwards.

Questions

Does it work with the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

No. The free version cannot load Workflow Integration plugins, so StemForge requires DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 or newer.

I do not see Workflow Integrations or StemForge in the menu.

Workflow Integrations only exist in Resolve Studio. On Studio, make sure the installer finished with "StemForge is installed", then fully quit and reopen Resolve.

Does my audio leave my computer?

No. Separation, analysis, and rendering all run locally on your Mac. StemForge goes online only to check your license and to download its audio models.

Does it work in Premiere Pro?

Yes. One purchase includes the Premiere Pro plugin as a separate download. See how to separate stems inside Premiere Pro.

More detail on the feature itself is on the stem separation for DaVinci Resolve Studio page.