Frequently Asked Questions
What is StemFM?
StemFM is a smart music system that lets you listen and control your music.
How does StemFM work?
StemFM takes any song and isolates the parts. You can hear them separately or mix these parts together live as you listen. This lower level control of audio also opens new possibilities for how you can listen to music.
What is STEM?
STEM is a tech company that started by making learning kits and software for science, technology, engineering, and math. Over time, we used this approach to change how people enjoy music. We mix our accessible design background with advanced music research.
What is STEM's core mission?
To build our own world.
Why make a music service?
Working in music showed us that smart music tech could help both creators and listeners. Instead of AI-made music, we chose an approach that feels more fun and fair to us. We want a service that always feels fresh and new.
StemFM
What is StemFM?
StemFM lets you listen normally or take control. Each song comes as separate audio parts that our music intelligence system adjusts in real time. Together, you and the system find new ways to hear music. Every part is a reflection of your listening and the work of the original artist.
How is StemFM different from other music apps?
StemFM has Live Audio Control that lets you change how you hear each song—mute vocals, solo drums, or layer instruments. It offers three listening modes: Classic Mode for normal playback with signal control and speed/pitch changes; Mix Mode for smooth mixing between tracks with matched tempo and timing; and Infinite Mode for automatic endless playback with smooth changes. We ensure Fair Pay through our time-based artist compensation system, TBACS.
What is the TBACS Fair Pay System?
Our TBACS system pays artists based on how long people listen to their music. Instead of splitting money evenly, we track your listening time and pay artists based on how much you actually listen to them. The longer you listen to an artist, the more money they make from your subscription. As songs mix and change, the payments change too. This is a new model for the music industry.
Using StemFM
How do I sign up?
Visit StemFM's website and create an account with your email or social login. Once you're in, you get 30 days to try everything for free.
Is it free or paid?
StemFM offers a 30-day free trial with full access. After that, you need a subscription to keep using all features.
What can I do as a listener?
Press play for normal listening like any music app, with high-quality audio on all devices. Use live audio control to adjust or mute vocals, drums, or instruments for a custom sound. Try mixes that automatically create smooth transitions between songs by matching tempo, key, and musical parts. Download songs for offline listening during your trial or subscription, keeping full control even without internet.
Hardware Products
What is the Stem Player?
The Stem Player is a hardware device that works with StemFM. Use touch controls to adjust audio parts, add echo, feedback, or gate effects with simple gestures, create instant loops, use it as a MIDI controller with music software, and connect to speakers via Bluetooth.
Are there other STEM products?
STEM's second season started in 2024 with new items. The first is the Power Cell, a portable charger for all USB-C and Lightning devices. More items come in 2025.
Where can I buy Stem products?
Stem products ship to: US, UK, EU, UAE, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra, and Turkey.
What are the shipping options and fees?
We offer standard shipping (7-15 business days) and express shipping (3-7 business days). Orders outside the US & UK may have local import fees charged by the carrier.
What's the warranty?
STEM products have a one-year warranty starting from delivery day.
Support
Where can I get help?
- General Questions: hello@stem.tech
- StemFM Help: help@stem.fm
- Hardware Help: help@stemplayer.com
- Company News: stem.tech