ALM TV’s Stem Ripper: Multitrack Recording for Modular Without the Fuss

ALM TV opens with the Stem Ripper’s raison d’être: direct, immediate multitrack recording of modular patches without the need for any external audio interface or computer tethering. The module offers eight individual inputs, each ready to capture a discrete stem from your system, making it possible to document every element of your patch in isolation. This approach is a breath of fresh air for anyone tired of juggling external recorders or repatching to squeeze everything through a stereo mix.

The video demonstrates a straightforward workflow—kick, snare, hi-hats, toms, bass, chords, and effects returns are each patched into their own channel. By keeping everything inside the rack, the Stem Ripper eliminates the usual cable spaghetti and potential for signal loss that comes from routing out to standalone recorders. For those who value clean signal paths and minimal setup, this is a practical, patch-friendly solution.

Each input on the Stem Ripper is recorded as a 16-bit, 44.1kHz WAV file, written directly to a micro SD card inserted into the front panel. This means you’re not limited by internal memory or forced to stop mid-session—recording time is only constrained by the size of your SD card. The video notes that even lengthy jams are handled gracefully, with files automatically split into 4GB (roughly 81-minute) chunks to keep things manageable.

The process is as simple as inserting a card, checking for the green record-ready LED, and watching for any red clip indicators to avoid digital nastiness. Once you’re done, a single button press stops the recording and generates a date-stamped, multi-channel WAV file. The result: every nuance of your patch, safely stored and ready for post-session tinkering.

ALM’s design ethos shines through in the Stem Ripper’s user interface, which is about as complicated as a toaster. With just a few LEDs and a single button, there’s little to distract from the music-making. Automatic date stamping of each recording means you can easily keep track of your patch explorations—no more mystery files or lost takes. This makes the module a genuinely useful archival tool, especially for those who like to revisit or remix old sessions without guesswork.

Once the patch is captured, the Stem Ripper makes it trivial to transfer your stems to a computer for further mixing and editing. The video shows the process: pop out the SD card, mount it on your computer, and drag the multi-channel WAV into your DAW of choice. Logic Pro is used in the demo, where the file is split into individual tracks—eight discrete stems plus a stereo mixdown for reference.

This workflow opens up a world of creative possibilities. You can hard-pan stereo pairs, group tracks, rename them for clarity, and apply all the usual DAW magic—EQ, compression, effects, and more. The ability to archive, sample, or fully mix modular performances after the fact is a game-changer for anyone who wants to bridge the gap between hardware spontaneity and in-the-box production polish.