Elgato Wave Link vs STEM

Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.

STEM is a free web platform for bands and music collaborators to upload, mix and discuss song stems. Its multi-track mixer handles uploaded stems, while invited members can view or work on projects in real time. Timed comment threads can be attached to individual tracks or the master track. Share links use customizable permissions, allowing songs to remain private or become public. Users can render stems to MP3, save mix snapshots and export renders. Songs can be grouped into playable, shareable lists for albums, EPs, setlists or work sessions, and can carry lyrics, chord charts, reference tracks, session notes and other files. STEM is intended for discussion and shared decisions rather than music creation like a full DAW. Certain features require a Google account. The privacy policy says uploaded audio is accessible to the user and explicitly shared people. The Free plan costs nothing, with limited version history.