How to extend more instruments (Pro)
The Extend Stems tool lets you add more instruments to a song that has already been processed, without reprocessing it from scratch.
When to use it
- You processed a song in Automatic Mode and want to separate more details (for example, split lead vocal from backing vocals)
- The song has specific instruments that were not detected (choirs, synthesizers, winds)
- You want to break the drums into more tracks (kick, snare, toms, hi-hat, cymbals)
- You want to extract the crowd from a live recording
Who can use it
- Pro plan only
- Subscription payment must be up to date
- Only the song owner (it does not work on songs shared with you)
💡 If you are on the Starter plan or Trial, an "Upgrade to Extend Stems" message appears when you try to open it. See How to subscribe to a plan.
How much it costs
CueWee gives you two kinds of models:
- CueWee AI models (⚡ free): the same models used during upload. They cost 0 credits, so you can use them as much as you want.
- Premium models (third party): higher detail models that cost extend credits. The rate is 1 credit per minute of song, per model. For example, a 3:40 song processed with 2 premium models uses 6 credits.
The window shows how many extend credits you have used and how many remain. If you have already processed a model on a song, switching back to it later is free.
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 and backing vocals, use the Vocals track
- To detail the drums, use the Drums track
- To extract digital piano separately from acoustic, use the 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 window opens.
5. Choose the instruments
The window shows the list of instruments available for extending that stem. For example, when extending Vocals, you can choose:
- Lead Vocal and Backing
- Male and 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 (CueWee AI) or premium
- Cost: 0 credits, or credits per minute for premium models
6. Compact or expanded view
Use the view button (top corner of the window) to switch between:
- Compact: a grid with more instruments visible
- Expanded: a list with a description of each instrument
7. Select and confirm
Check the instruments you want to add and click Extend.
CueWee processes the extension on our servers, the same way it processed the song. When it is 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 are on Trial or Starter. Upgrade to Pro.
- "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, for example split lead vocal from backing before detailing percussion.
- Prefer the free CueWee AI models, and check the cost indicator before selecting premium ones. Premium models charge 1 credit per minute per model, so a 4 minute song with 3 premium models uses 12 credits.
- Already processed songs keep their instruments. If CueWee removes a model from the platform in the future, songs you have already extended keep what you processed.