Stem Player
| Also known as | DONDA STEM PLAYER |
|---|---|
| Developer | Kano Computing, Kanye West |
| Type | Music Creation Tool |
| Release date | 2021 |
| Introductory price | US $200 |
| Storage | 8 GB |
| Connectivity | |
| Website | stemplayer |
Search Stem Player on Amazon.
The Stem player (stylised STEM PLAYER) is an audio remix and editing device, developed by British technology company Kano Computing, in conjunction with American musician and fashion designer, Kanye West.
The device was launched in August 2021 in conjunction with the release of West's 10th studio album, DONDA. The device allows users to manipulate and remix audio tracks using a number of touch sensitive haptic sliders. Audio tracks are divided into 4 separate stems (generally including vocals, bass, and drums) with each stem being assigned to a slider on the front of the device.
Stem Players ship pre-loaded with the deluxe edition of the DONDA album. Using an online web application, users can add tracks to the device by uploading an audio file. Artificial intelligence is then used to break the song down into 4 stems.[1]
History
In January 2019, following a chance encounter within the company's booth at CES Technology Show in Las Vegas, West invested an undisclosed sum into Kano and struck a friendship with CEO, Alex Klein. At the time, Kano were primarily developing educational hardware and software products for introductory programming and computer building.[2]
That year, the company began collaborating on an undisclosed technology product[3] and Klein contributed lyrics to the Jesus is King track Water.[4]
In a 2019 interview with journalist Zane Lowe for Apple Music, West confirmed he was working on developing a portable stem player.[5]
The lengthy collaboration process spanned over a 2-year development timeline. Inspiration for the device's design and colour scheme came during West and Klein's visit to the Roden Crater with James Turrell. Prototype designs were said to be shaped like a hand, stress ball, and orb before the circular silicone design was adopted.[3]
Development workshops focusing on the technological aspect of the device took place whilst the West and Klein were travelling with the Sunday Service Choir and included sessions with music producer Rick Rubin and artists and engineers who contributed to Jesus is King and DONDA. Other artists who have contributed ideas to the device include Kevin Abstract [6] and Brockhampton.[3]
In March 2021, a number of images and videos alleged to be showing the device in use began to surface on online forums.[7]
On 25 August 2021, following a number of high-profile DONDA listening events and with no such prior announcement on the device's release, the Stem Player launched for pre-sale with the initial name of "DONDA STEM PLAYER".[8] The device began shipping to purchasers in October that year and carried three exclusive new songs, including Life of the Party and a number of remixes to track that appeared on the DONDA album. These later appeared on the deluxe edition of DONDA in November. [9]
Features
The stem player allows users to split any song into stems that can then be then be freely customised and manipulated using the device's touch sensitive sliders.[10]
The physical design of the device consists of a small, tan, circular device with a soft silicone skin. 4 touch sensitive LED sliders cover the front of the device. Physical specifications include 8GB of storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for Bluetooth, USB-C, and all major audio file types. [11]
Features include vocal isolation and volume control, real time loop and speed control, tactile audio effects, audio track management and the ability to record and playback mixes. The device comes pre-loaded with professional grade stems of the deluxe edition of the DONDA album.[12]
Reception
Upon initial release, the stem player was met with an extremely positive reception with many critics praising the device for its unique and innovative design as well as its ease of use and AI based "stemification" technology. In a review for online publication The Verge, Jay Peters found that, "for someone who likes to make their own music, the Stem Player could be a mind-blowingly awesome tool."[13] Jordan Minor of PCMag said "the Donda Stem Player is an imaginative and surprisingly flexible music creation tool". [14] Terence O' Brien of engadget called the device "fascinating and unique".[15]
Criticism of the device was mainly relayed on the lack of wireless file downloading, limited storage space and the omission of a navigation screen. [16]
References
- ↑ Tillman, Maggie. "What is Kanye West's Stem Player and how does it work?" – via www.jalaprt.co.
- ↑ Margolis, Jonathan. "Start-ups can benefit from moneyed tech enthusiasts as patrons" – via www.ft.com.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Setaro, Shawn. "How a Tech CEO Ended Up Writing Lyrics on Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King'". Complex.
- ↑ Yoo, Noah. "Here Are the Full Credits for Kanye's New Album Jesus Is King: Clipse, Kenny G, and More" – via www.pitchfork.com.
- ↑ Minsker, Evan. "Listen to Kanye West's New Interview With Zane Lowe" – via www.pitchfork.com.
- ↑ "Kevin Abstract remixing Kanye on Stem Player" – via www.reddit.com.
- ↑ R.F, Marcos. "Leaked Yeezy Tech x Kano Stem Player Video Surfaces" – via www.agoodoutfit.com.
- ↑ Strauss, Matthew. "Kanye West Launches Donda Stem Player" – via www.pitchfork.com.
- ↑ Jones, Damian. "Kanye West's 'DONDA' stem player has finally been unveiled and comes with three extra songs" – via www.pitchfork.com.
- ↑ "Kanye West's new Donda Stem Player will apparently let you 'customize any song'" – via www.theverge.com.
- ↑ "Kanye West's 'DONDA' stem player has finally been unveiled and comes with three extra songs" – via www.nme.com.
- ↑ "Kanye West DONDA stem player: What is it, price, where to buy & more" – via www.capitalxtra.co.uk.
- ↑ Peters, Jay. "YE'S STEM PLAYER HAS SOFT SKIN AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS" – via www.theverge.com.
- ↑ Minor, Jordan. "Donda Stem Player review" – via www.pcmag.com.
- ↑ O'Brien, Terence. "I wish anyone other than Kanye had made the Stem Player" – via www.engadget.com.
- ↑ Minor, Jordan. "Donda Stem Player review" – via www.pcmag.com.
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