How to Extract Stems from an MP3 and Convert It to MIDI—for Free!

Have you ever heard a part in a song—a piano melody, maybe—that you wish you could remix, tweak, or make your own? If you only have the stereo audio file, it might seem impossible to isolate that specific instrument and turn it into MIDI.

Good news: not only is it possible, but you can do it for free!

Here’s a simple three-step process you can follow to extract an instrument from any MP3, convert it to MIDI, and import it into your DAW of choice for remixing or editing.

Here is the video where I break this down. 

Step 1: Split the Audio into Stems

To extract a specific instrument, you first need to separate the audio file into stems (e.g., drums, bass, piano).

Here’s how to do it:

Go to voice.ai/tools/stem-splitter

Upload your MP3 file (free version supports MP3 only).

The AI will analyze and split your track into multiple stems like bass, drums, piano, vocals, guitar, and “other.”

Once it’s done, you’ll be able to preview and download the individual stems. For example, you can download the piano stem separately and move on to the next step.

Step 2: Convert the Audio Stem to MIDI

Now that you have the isolated audio stem, it’s time to convert it to MIDI.

For this, we’ll use SampLab:

Go to SampLab and upload your audio stem (note: the free version supports mono audio up to 10 seconds).

The AI will process the file and generate a MIDI version of the stem.

Download the MIDI file to your computer.

At this stage, you’ve successfully turned the piano (or any other instrument) from the MP3 into a MIDI file.

Step 3: Import the MIDI into Your DAW

The final step is to bring the MIDI file into your DAW so you can assign it to any instrument and start tweaking.

Here’s how it works in Logic Pro:

Open a new project and create a MIDI instrument track.

Drag the MIDI file into your project.

Assign a virtual instrument (synth, sampler, piano, etc.) to the track and start experimenting!

That’s it! You can now remix, reimagine, or completely transform the part into something new.

Bonus for Logic Pro Users

If you’re using Logic Pro, I highly recommend downloading my free Logic Pro mixing templates to speed up your workflow and make your life easier. These templates are designed to help you get pro-quality mixes faster.

👉 Get your free templates here.