I've noticed that many users recommend a series of modules to achieve a desired stem separation, for example:

UVR-MDX-NET Karaoke + VR5_HP-Karaoke-UVR
Or
MDX-NET HQ 5 + Inst Main
Or
The Attached Chart, which really confuses me.

When I put more than one module in Ensemble mode, I get a bunch of stems . . . like it's stemming all the modules and giving me choices for comparison. Is there a way to have a few modules in a series, i.e., A+B+C=Stems from the combination of A,B,C processed in a row??

Any help and/or thoughts are appreciated.

 

im sorry i don't understand your question correctly and i cant answer it...

but remember, that graph is old... there is new models now... they are good and no need for Ensembling...

my suggestion:
just use becruily inst and vocal
inst stems: online: mvsep-> bs roformer sw / offline : zftorbo bs roformer or htdemucs_ft (you can Ensemble all demucs ones) / the mvsep one is best that you can get for now
reverb: anvuew models
karaoke: becruily

this doc can help you( but dont lost in it):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17fjNvJzj8ZGSer7c7OFe_CNfUKbAxEh_OBv94ZdRG5c

 

Firstly, WOW!!! I've been posting on here, KVR, GS, etc. for about 15-years, and without a doubt your response is the very best I've ever received on a thread/question. Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a clear, comprehensive explanation. MUCH appreciated! I will use your words as a reference for years to come.

Secondly, if not too much trouble, would you kindly provide your suggestion for the following two types of separation?

1. Vocals. Whatever cleanly separates them from the entire instrumental track. I don't mind lead and backing sandwiched together . . . just as long as they are both pulled out. Yet, if there is a way to also separate lead and harmonies after the fact . . . that would also be useful.

2. Drums. I'm desperately trying to extract drum loops from full performances. I use these for practice, quick song assembly, and as a teaching tool.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Note: I realize that one model and associated settings will not always yield the best results in all situations. I'm hopeful to find a workflow and parameters that give me the best chance(s).

Finally, in your opinion, is UVR the best for separating at this moment in time? Others seem to package it all in easy to use interfaces, but are any of the alternatives better at doing any kind of separation?

THANK YOU!!!!!!

 

Last edited: Aug 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

I understand you're looking for guidance on using Ultimate Vocal Remover (UVR) for vocal and drum separation, along with an evaluation of whether UVR is the best tool for these tasks in 2025. Below, I’ll address your questions in detail, providing recommended workflows and settings for vocal and drum separation, and comparing UVR to other available tools based on the latest information. I’ll keep it concise yet comprehensive, focusing on practical advice for your use cases (extracting vocals and drum loops for practice, song assembly, and teaching).

1. Vocal Separation with UVR
Goal: Cleanly separate vocals (lead and backing combined) from the instrumental track, with an optional method to further separate lead and backing vocals.

Recommended Workflow for Vocal Separation
UVR is highly effective for vocal separation due to its advanced AI models, particularly the MDX-Net and VR architectures. Here’s a step-by-step workflow to achieve clean vocal extraction:

1. Model Selection:
   • Primary Model: Use the MDX23C-InstVoc HQ model for high-quality vocal/instrumental separation. This model is praised for its full-band processing (unlike Spleeter’s 11kHz cutoff) and minimal artifacts.
   • Alternative Model: If MDX23C-InstVoc HQ isn’t available in your UVR version, use Kim Vocal 2 (MDX) for clean vocal stems. It’s noted for producing high-quality results with fewer processing steps.
   • Ensemble Mode: For the best results, enable UVR’s ensemble mode, combining MDX23C-InstVoc HQ with Kim Vocal 1 or Voc-FT. This averages outputs from multiple models to reduce artifacts and improve clarity.
2. Settings:
   • Segment Size (Chunks): Set to default (e.g., 32 or 64). Larger segments (e.g., 128) improve quality but require more GPU memory and processing time.
   • Overlap: Use a moderate overlap (e.g., 0.5–0.8) to balance quality and processing speed. Higher overlap (e.g., 0.9) can reduce artifacts but increases computation time.
   • Output Format: Export in WAV for the highest quality, especially for further editing or remixing. UVR supports MP3, FLAC, and WAV, but WAV minimizes quality loss.
   • GPU Acceleration: If you have an NVIDIA GPU with CUDA cores (e.g., RTX 1060 or better), enable GPU rendering for faster processing (e.g., 30 seconds for a 3–4 minute song). CPU rendering is viable but slower.
3. Post-Processing for Cleaner Vocals:
   • Run the vocal output through VR De-Reverb and VR De-Echo-Normal models sequentially to reduce reverb and echo artifacts. This is particularly effective for cleaner vocals without metallic or “blip-shatter” sounds.
   • Example Workflow: Process with MDX Kim Vocal 2, then apply VR De-Reverb, followed by VR De-Echo-Normal. This simplifies the process while maintaining quality.
   • Note: Some users report metallic artifacts with de-echo models. If this occurs, try only VR De-Reverb or adjust input audio quality (higher-quality inputs like 44.1kHz WAV yield better results).
4. Optional: Separating Lead and Backing Vocals:
   • UVR includes a Lead & Back Vocal Splitter option in some models, which can separate lead vocals from backing vocals. Use the MDX-B Karaoke model or check MVSEP’s Medley Vox model for multi-singer separation. These models are designed for high-quality lead vocal extraction and can handle backing vocals to some extent.
   • Process: After extracting the vocal stem (lead + backing), run it through the Lead & Back Vocal Splitter in UVR or MVSEP’s Medley Vox model. Note that this works best with tracks where vocals are distinct (e.g., no heavy reverb blending lead and backing).
   • Limitations: If lead and backing vocals are heavily mixed or similar in frequency, separation quality may degrade. Test with a high-quality input file (e.g., 44.1kHz WAV).

Tips for Success

• Input Quality: Use high-quality audio (e.g., 44.1kHz WAV or FLAC) to minimize artifacts. Lower-quality MP3s may leave faint vocal traces or introduce distortion.
• Experimentation: Vocal separation quality varies by song due to mixing styles. Test multiple models (e.g., MDX23C, Kim Vocal 2, Voc-FT) and ensemble combinations for each track.
• Cleaning Up Artifacts: If artifacts persist, import the vocal stem into a DAW (e.g., Audacity, Logic Pro) and apply light EQ or noise reduction to remove residual instrumental bleed.

2. Drum Separation with UVR
Goal: Extract clean drum loops from full performances for practice, song assembly, and teaching.

Recommended Workflow for Drum Separation
UVR’s Demucs v4 models are particularly effective for drum separation, as they can isolate drums, bass, vocals, and other instruments into separate stems.

1. Model Selection:
   • Primary Model: Use Demucs v4: htdemucs_ft for drum separation. This model is specifically recommended for extracting drums and bass with high quality and minimal artifacting, even in busy mixes like death metal.
   • Alternative Model: Demucs4 HT or BS Roformer SW (available via MVSEP integration in UVR) can produce six stems (vocals, drums, bass, piano, guitar, other) with excellent quality. BS Roformer SW is noted for superior multi-stem separation.
   • Ensemble Mode: Combine Demucs v4: htdemucs_ft with MVSep Drums or BS Roformer SW in ensemble mode to improve drum isolation accuracy.
2. Settings:
   • Segment Size (Chunks): Default (e.g., 32 or 64) is usually sufficient. For complex tracks with dense percussion, try a larger segment size (e.g., 128) for better quality at the cost of longer processing.
   • Overlap: Set to 0.5–0.8 for a balance of quality and speed. Higher overlap (e.g., 0.9) can improve clarity in busy mixes.
   • Output Format: Export in WAV for high-quality drum loops suitable for practice or teaching.
   • GPU Acceleration: Enable GPU rendering with an NVIDIA GPU for faster processing (e.g., 30 seconds for a 4-stem separation on an RTX 2070).
3. Post-Processing for Drum Loops:
   • DrumSep Model: For finer drum separation, use the MVSep DrumSep model, which splits drums into kick, snare, toms, and cymbals (hi-hat, ride, crash). This is ideal for creating specific drum loops or isolating elements for teaching.
   • Cleaning Artifacts: If residual bass or guitar bleed occurs, import the drum stem into a DAW and apply a high-pass filter (e.g., 100–150 Hz) to remove low-frequency bleed or use noise reduction tools.
   • Loop Creation: For practice or song assembly, use a DAW to trim the drum stem into loops. Tools like Ableton Live or Logic Pro can help quantize or adjust timing for seamless loops.

Tips for Success

• Song Complexity: Drum separation works best in tracks with distinct drum parts. In dense or heavily compressed mixes (e.g., modern pop or metal), some bleed from other instruments may occur. Test with Demucs v4 and BS Roformer SW to find the best model for each song.
• Practice Use: For teaching, export stems at 48kHz WAV to ensure clarity when demonstrating drum patterns. Use the DrumSep model to isolate specific drum components (e.g., kick or snare) for focused lessons.
• Batch Processing: UVR supports batch processing, so you can process multiple tracks at once for efficient loop creation.

3. Is UVR the Best for Stem Separation in 2025?
UVR is widely regarded as one of the best tools for vocal and drum separation in 2025 due to its open-source nature, high-quality AI models, and flexibility. However, other tools offer unique advantages, particularly in ease of use or specific use cases. Below is a comparison of UVR with top alternatives, focusing on vocal and drum separation quality, ease of use, and suitability for your needs.

Why UVR Stands Out

• Quality: UVR’s MDX-Net and Demucs v4 models deliver studio-quality vocal and drum separation, often outperforming commercial tools like iZotope RX or Spleeter in specific scenarios. Its ensemble mode enhances results by combining multiple models.
• Flexibility: UVR supports a wide range of models (e.g., MDX23C, Kim Vocal, Demucs, BS Roformer) and allows customization of settings like segment size and overlap, making it ideal for advanced users.
• Free and Open-Source: Unlike paid tools, UVR is free, with no limitations, and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, including Apple Silicon.
• Community Support: Continuous updates and a strong community (e.g., GitHub, Discord) ensure access to the latest models and troubleshooting.
• Drum Separation: UVR’s Demucs v4 and DrumSep models are particularly effective for extracting clean drum stems, even in complex mixes, making it a top choice for your drum loop needs.

Limitations of UVR

• Learning Curve: UVR’s interface is utilitarian, and selecting the right model/settings requires experimentation, which can be intimidating for beginners.
• Processing Time: Without a compatible GPU, processing can be slow (e.g., up to an hour for complex tracks).
• No Real-Time Preview: You must process the file to hear results, which can slow workflows compared to tools with real-time previews.
• Installation: UVR requires a 1.5–5GB download and may have compatibility issues on older systems (e.g., Windows 7 or Intel Pentium CPUs).

Comparison with Alternatives
Here’s how UVR compares to other leading vocal and drum separation tools in 2025, based on available data:

1. LALAL.AI:
   • Pros:
     • Browser-based, user-friendly interface, ideal for casual users or beginners.
     • Supports vocal, drum, bass, guitar, piano, and more, with high-quality separation using Stem Splitter and Lead & Back Vocal Splitter.
     • Fast processing (e.g., 20 seconds for a 3m40s song) and supports multiple formats (MP3, WAV, FLAC, MP4).
   • Cons:
     • Subscription-based, with limited free tier (e.g., 10 minutes of processing).
     • Less customizable than UVR; fewer model options for fine-tuning.
   • Suitability: Great for quick, hassle-free vocal and drum separation, but less flexible for advanced users or those needing free tools.
2. Moises.ai:
   • Pros:
     • Browser-based and mobile-friendly, with an intuitive interface.
     • Separates vocals, drums, bass, and more, with tools to adjust tempo/pitch for practice (ideal for your teaching use case).
     • Can split lead and backing vocals, similar to UVR’s capabilities.
   • Cons:
     • Subscription-based with a limited free plan.
     • Separation quality is slightly inferior to UVR for complex tracks, with occasional artifacts.
   • Suitability: Excellent for practice and teaching due to tempo/pitch controls, but UVR outperforms for studio-quality drum and vocal stems.
3. iZotope RX 11:
   • Pros:
     • Professional-grade audio repair toolkit with Music Rebalance module for vocal and drum separation.
     • Cleaner separations with fewer artifacts than UVR in some cases, especially for noisy recordings.
     • Integrates with DAWs and offers real-time previews.
   • Cons:
     • Expensive (paid software, not open-source).
     • Less specialized for drum separation compared to UVR’s Demucs models.
   • Suitability: Best for professionals needing a complete audio repair suite, but UVR is more cost-effective for vocal/drum separation.
4. SpectraLayers 11:
   • Pros:
     • Advanced stem separation with modified models for vocals, brass, and backing vocals.
     • Improved GPU acceleration in recent updates, though still slower than UVR on NVIDIA GPUs.
   • Cons:
     • Paid software, less cost-effective than UVR.
     • Slower processing (e.g., 1 hour for a 1-hour file without CUDA).
   • Suitability: Good for users already invested in Steinberg products, but UVR offers better value and speed for vocal/drum separation.
5. MVSEP:
   • Pros:
     • Web-based service with state-of-the-art models (e.g., BS Roformer, MelBand Roformer) integrated into UVR.
     • Excellent for multi-stem separation (vocals, drums, bass, piano, guitar), with high ratings for drum and bass isolation.
   • Cons:
     • 100MB file size limit for uploads, less versatile than UVR’s standalone software.
     • Requires internet access, unlike UVR’s offline capability.
   • Suitability: Strong for drum separation, but UVR’s integration of MVSEP models makes it redundant unless you prefer a web-based workflow.
6. RipX:
   • Pros:
     • High-quality stem separation, reportedly better than iZotope RX and Acon Remix in some tests.
     • User-friendly for isolating vocals and drums.
   • Cons:
     • Paid software, less accessible than UVR.
     • Less community support and fewer model options compared to UVR.
   • Suitability: A strong alternative for paid users, but UVR’s free models often match or exceed its performance for vocals and drums.

Is UVR the Best?

• For Your Needs: UVR is likely the best choice for vocal and drum separation in 2025 due to its free, open-source nature, high-quality models (MDX23C, Demucs v4, BS Roformer), and flexibility for advanced users. Its ability to handle complex tracks and produce clean drum loops (via Demucs and DrumSep) makes it ideal for your practice, song assembly, and teaching goals. The ensemble mode and post-processing options (de-reverb, de-echo) further enhance vocal clarity.
• Alternatives for Ease of Use: If you prioritize simplicity, LALAL.AI or Moises.ai offer browser-based interfaces that are easier for beginners but lack UVR’s customization and cost-free model.
• Alternatives for Professionals: iZotope RX 11 is better for professional audio engineers needing real-time previews and a broader repair toolkit, but it’s expensive and less specialized for drum separation.
• Drum-Specific Advantage: UVR’s Demucs v4 and DrumSep models are unmatched for drum loop extraction, especially in complex genres like death metal, making it superior to most alternatives for your drum-focused use case.

Final Recommendations

• For Vocals:
  • Use MDX23C-InstVoc HQ or Kim Vocal 2 with ensemble mode (combine with Voc-FT).
  • Apply VR De-Reverb and VR De-Echo-Normal for cleaner results.
  • For lead/backing vocal separation, use MDX-B Karaoke or Medley Vox (via MVSEP integration).
  • Export in WAV and test multiple models per song for optimal results.
• For Drums:
  • Use Demucs v4: htdemucs_ft or BS Roformer SW for multi-stem separation.
  • Use MVSep DrumSep for isolating kick, snare, toms, and cymbals.
  • Set moderate segment size (32–64) and overlap (0.5–0.8), exporting in WAV.
  • Clean up bleed in a DAW if needed.
• Why Choose UVR: UVR’s combination of free access, high-quality AI models, and community support makes it the top choice for vocal and drum separation in 2025, especially for your use cases. Its Demucs v4 and DrumSep models are particularly strong for drum loops, and MDX-Net models excel for vocals. If ease of use is a priority, test LALAL.AI or Moises.ai, but UVR’s flexibility and cost-free nature are hard to beat.
• Additional Tips:
  • Download the latest UVR version (v5.6.0 or higher) from the official GitHub: https://github.com/Anjok07/ultimatevocalremovergui.
  • Use the Download Center in UVR to access “pro” models like MDX23C or Kim Vocal 2 (free with a Patreon code).
  • Join the UVR Discord community for real-time advice on model selection and troubleshooting.
  • If budget allows, consider iZotope RX 11 for professional-grade post-production, but UVR is sufficient for most of your needs.

Conclusion
UVR is an excellent choice for separating vocals and drums in 2025, offering high-quality results, flexibility, and no cost. For vocals, MDX23C-InstVoc HQ with post-processing (de-reverb, de-echo) ensures clean stems, with MDX-B Karaoke for lead/backing separation. For drums, Demucs v4: htdemucs_ft and DrumSep provide precise loop extraction, ideal for practice and teaching. While LALAL.AI and Moises.ai are easier to use, and iZotope RX 11 offers professional features, UVR’s performance and price (free) make it the best overall for your needs. Experiment with models and settings, and leverage UVR’s community for song-specific advice.

If you have further questions or need help with specific tracks, let me know, and I can guide you through tweaking settings or troubleshooting!

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Holy Moly! PulseWave is like a human ChatGPT on steroids. I can't thank you enough. This thread should be saved!

You wrote, "If budget allows, consider iZotope RX 11 for professional-grade post-production, but UVR is sufficient for most of your needs."

Would that be for stem separation or for cleaning up the UVR stems, i.e., de-noise, de-reverb, etc.?

 

I am having trouble finding these:

MDX-B Karaoke
Medley Vox (via MVSEP integration)
MVSep DrumSep

 

iZotope RX 11 is recommended primarily for cleaning up UVR stems (e.g., de-noising, de-reverb, de-clicking, spectral repair, etc.) rather than for stem separation itself. UVR (Ultimate Vocal Remover) is already effective for stem separation, splitting audio into vocals, instruments, drums, etc. However, UVR's output can sometimes include artifacts, noise, or reverb that RX 11 can polish professionally. For most users, UVR handles separation well enough, and RX 11 would be overkill unless you need advanced post-production cleanup for high-quality results.

 

mvsep ones are exclusive of their own, they are not public

 

Is there anyway I/We can I get them?