Virtual DJ AI Review: A Deep Dive into its Real-Time Stem Separation

Core AI Functionality: Live AI-Powered Stem Splitting

The Pioneer of Real-Time Stems: Stems 2.0 Engine

VirtualDJ first introduced real-time stem separation back in 2020, positioning itself as a pioneer in this technology for live DJing. Today, VirtualDJ 2023 uses our latest Stems 2.0 engine, that offers the best quality in the market for stem separation, with incredible clarity on acapellas, representing a significant advancement from their original implementation.

Based on AI and deep neural networks machine learning, VirtualDJ 2023 promises to take its Stems 2.0 function even further with an "unrivalled new engine that now achieves a truly revolutionary stem separation that is almost indistinguishable from author-made multi-tracks". The technology works differently from pre-prepared stem files, as VirtualDJ uses advanced AI technology to separate any song into a multi-track, during the mix, in real-time.

Performance and Hardware Requirements

Real-time stem separation is highly processor-intensive and demands significant hardware resources. If you have a powerful laptop, like a PC with Nvidia RTX card, or a M1 Mac, VirtualDJ 2023 will use some special optimizations that will make stems separation so fast that it can be done transparently in real-time without affecting your performances/heat/battery/stability/etc.

For optimal performance with Stems 2.0, Windows 10 64-bit or newer · NVIDIA video card (GTX 1050 or above with 4GB VRAM, RTX with 6GB VRAM recommended) or AMD video card (Radeon RX 5600 XT or better) are the recommended specifications. Stems Engine requires about 3.5 GB of VRAM to initialize on RTX series, and the processing speed can be incredibly fast on high-end hardware, with some users reporting Stems in normal (balanced) mode calculate at 28x and in performance mode around 31.5x.

To accommodate users with less powerful laptops, If you still try to use stems on a track that hasn't been prepared, but real-time separation is not enabled, VirtualDJ can fallback to a super-fast stems separation algorithm, that will have much less impact on your system, but will have a reduced quality (this is the "stems 1.0" algorithm).

Key AI Features: On-the-Fly Vocal, Drum, and Melody Isolation

Granular Control: 5-Stem Separation

A key differentiator for Virtual DJ is DJs can control vocals, instruments, kicks, hi-hats, and more independently, offering more precision than standard four-stem models found in competing software. This granular control is particularly evident in You can separate up to five stems (only VirtualDJ gives you a hi-hats separation), and configure it in all kinds of ways both with your pads and your EQs.

Multiple Control Methods: Pads vs. ModernEQ

Virtual DJ offers versatile control methods for stem manipulation:

Pad Stems Mode: Or use as performance pads for instant isolation or removals of any element of the song. This is the most direct control method, allowing DJs to instantly mute or isolate each of the five stems using the performance pads on their controller.

ModernEQ Mode: ModernEQ - This mode gives more control to experienced DJs, with separation between the hihats and kicks and is similar to traditional frequency-based EQs. Using ModernEQ the DJ can achieve a much more accurate separation than traditional frequency-based equalizers and achieve perfect transitions like never before.

Stem-Specific FX: VirtualDJ lets you use unlimited audio effects to a single stem or more stems. Apply echo out to vocals only, add beat grid to drums only and more, enabling creative transitions such as echoing out only the vocal track while the beat continues.

How It Enhances Workflow: Creative Mixing and Live Remixing for DJs

On-the-Fly Mashups and Acapella Blending

The ability to create instant acapellas and instrumentals from any track is a primary use case. By isolating the vocals-only part of the song the DJ can be creative in whole new ways. Our Stems 2.0 engine can as easily remove the vocals and play only the insturmental parts of any song. This feature makes it easier than ever to sample individual parts of a song for live remixing.

The new Stem performance pads will let you create live mash-ups and remixes in real-time easily, and let your creativity fly free. Instant stem isolation opens the door to new ways of mixing that were simply not possible before.

Advanced Transitions and Creative Mixing

Stem separation right on the EQs allows the DJ to transition seamlessly in whole new ways, allowing the DJ to fine-tune different elements of the songs live in the mix. Stems offer DJs more creative options for transitions than traditional EQ mixing, such as swapping the kick and bassline of two tracks before blending the melodic elements.

Scratch the vocal parts only or loop the rhythm section only, enabling DJs to isolate and loop single stems for creating custom intros, outros, or breakdown sections during a set.

The Verdict: How Does Virtual DJ's AI Compare to Other DJ Software?

Audio Quality and Artifacts: A Head-to-Head Comparison

In recent comparisons, A close second is VirtualDJ. It scored well all-round, and had one of (if not the best) acapella performances of the lot, albeit with a little "bleed" from other stems – a compromise that I personally feel is better than audio being missing from the acapella.

VirtualDJ seems to go the opposite way, letting more of the background music through, but that does preserve a more natural vocal sound. And djay Pro is somewhere between the two of them. The trade-off for this natural sound is sometimes more "bleed," where faint remnants of other instruments can be heard in the isolated stem.

VirtualDJ's stem separation is highly praised for its real-time processing and versatility. The quality of separation is good, though not perfect, and some complex tracks might have artifacts. The feature is well-integrated, making it easy to use on the fly.

Flexibility and Power vs. Simplicity

Virtual DJ's Strength: VirtualDJ – It might not be the easiest to get your head around and set up, but that's partly because it's the most powerful. You can separate up to five stems (only VirtualDJ gives you a hi-hats separation), and configure it in all kinds of ways both with your pads and your EQs.

The Trade-off: VirtualDJ – VirtualDJ is fiddly, and so it is with its Stems, which is a product of its stems being powerful and flexible, and both its v1 and its v2 stems being available to DJs. VirtualDJ users will be used to getting under the bonnet with their software and reaping the rewards due to that, but the learning curve is steeper for the uninitiated.

Hardware Demands: Also, some just don't work well on lower-powered laptops (Rekordbox and VirtualDJ), making high-performance hardware a near necessity for smooth Stems 2.0 operation.

The Final Word for DJs

Virtual DJ's stem separation represents a top-tier choice, especially for DJs who prioritize creative flexibility and granular control over their mixes. VDJ stems 2.0 vs Serato is a easy choice. VDJ all the way, according to experienced users who have tested both platforms extensively.

While it demands a powerful computer, VirtualDJ – VirtualDJ's Stems 2.0 narrowly wins in head-to-head comparisons, and its superior 5-stem model combined with excellent sound quality make it a leading contender in the ongoing "battleground" of DJ software innovation. Whatever the technology is, the implications are truly impressive, allowing anybody an unprecedented amount of control over the tracks in their DJ sets.