STEMS is an open-source format designed by Native Instruments that has the potential to change the course of DJing. A STEMS-format file is a multi-channel audio file that contains a track split into four musical elements, such as bass, drums, vocals, and melody, for example. Since the file is multi-channel, each element is available independently and can be mixed in ways that weren’t possible before now. You could, for example, play the drums from one track with the bass from another, or create instant a capellas, new grooves, and more, all in real time, on the fly. Since STEMS is an open format, anyone can create, release, sell, distribute, and create compatible software and hardware without paying any licensing fees. Online stores and labels have already begun releasing music in the STEMS format, and Native Instruments has released the free TRAKTOR PRO 2.0 update with full STEMS support for TRAKTOR KONTROL S8, TRAKTOR KONTROL D2, and TRAKTOR KONTROL F1. All three are on special through September 30, 2015, so it’s a great time to get into STEMS!