How to extend more instruments (Pro & Pro Plus)
The Extend Stems tool lets you add more instruments to a song that has already been processed — without reprocessing from scratch, and without using any additional songs from your monthly limit.
When to use it
- You processed a song in Automatic Mode and want to separate more details (e.g., split lead vocal from backing vocals)
- The song has specific instruments that weren’t detected (e.g., choirs, synthesizers, winds)
- You want to break the drums into 5 tracks (kick, snare, toms, hi-hat, cymbals)
- You want to extract crowd from a live recording
Who can use it
- Pro and Pro Plus plans only
- Subscription payment must be up to date
- Only the song owner (it doesn’t work on songs shared with you)
💡 If you’re on the Starter plan or Trial, you’ll see an “Upgrade to Extend Stems” overlay when you try to open the dialog. See How to subscribe to a plan.
Step by step
1. Open the song in the player
Go to the song you want to extend.
2. Locate the stem you want to extend
In the player, find the track that contains the instrument you want to detail. For example:
- To split lead/backing vocals → Vocals track
- To detail the drums → Drums track
- To extract digital piano separate from acoustic → Piano track
3. Open the track menu
Click the ⋮ button (three dots) next to the track name.
4. Click "Extend"
In the menu that opens, click Extend. The Extend Stems dialog opens.
5. Choose the instruments
The dialog shows the list of instruments available for extending that stem. For example, when extending Vocals, you can choose:
- Lead Vocal / Backing
- Male / Female Vocal
- Multi-Singer Vocal
- Choir
- SATB Choir
- Crowd (live recordings)
Each instrument shows:
- Icon and name
- Description of what it separates
- Model indicator: ⚡ (free) or premium
- Cost: 0 or songs/minute
✅ Most extensions are free (cost 0) and don’t use songs from your limit. Only some premium models consume extra credits.
6. Compact or expanded view
Use the view button (top corner of the dialog) to switch between:
- Compact — grid with more instruments visible
- Expanded — list with a description of each instrument
7. Select and confirm
Check the instruments you want to add and click Extend.
The extension is processed in the cloud (similar to the original processing). When it’s done, the new tracks appear in the player automatically, grouped with the original track.
8. Use the new tracks
The new tracks have the same controls as any other track:
- Mute, solo, volume, pan
- They appear in the export if selected
- They can be exported individually as a ZIP
Restore the original stem
To revert to the original track without the extensions:
- Click the ⋮ menu on the parent track
- Click Restore Stem
CueWee removes the extended tracks and keeps only the original stem.
Visible restrictions
- “Payment Pending” — your charge failed. Update your card in Manage Subscription.
- “Upgrade to Extend Stems” — you’re on Trial or Starter. Upgrade to Pro or Pro Plus.
- “No extensions available for this stem” — that specific stem has no extension options.
Best practices
- Start with the essentials — first extend what makes the biggest difference for your band (e.g., split lead vocal from backing before detailing percussion).
- Watch out for premium extensions — check the cost indicator before checking; premium models consume 1 song per minute, so a 4-minute song can consume 4 songs if you check many premium models.
- Already-processed songs keep their instruments — if CueWee removes a model from the platform in the future, songs you’ve already extended keep what you processed.