Send stems for mixing: and other large audio files
Uncompressed stems add up quickly. One 4-minute stereo WAV at 24-bit and 48 kHz is about 69 MB, and a 40-stem session at that format is about 2.8 GB.
Dropvi Free sends up to 50 GB and up to 500 files in one transfer. The mix engineer downloads without an account, and every file has a SHA-256 checksum so both sides can check nothing changed on the way. Your browser encrypts the stems and their names end to end before upload, so Dropvi cannot read unreleased material.
Updated 28 September 2026.
How large WAV stems are
Uncompressed PCM audio has a fixed data rate, so file size follows directly from sample rate, bit depth, channel count and length.
| Format (stereo WAV) | Per minute | One 4-minute stem | 40 stems of 4 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-bit, 44.1 kHz | 10.6 MB | 42 MB | 1.7 GB |
| 24-bit, 44.1 kHz | 15.9 MB | 64 MB | 2.5 GB |
| 24-bit, 48 kHz | 17.3 MB | 69 MB | 2.8 GB |
| 32-bit float, 48 kHz | 23.0 MB | 92 MB | 3.7 GB |
| 24-bit, 96 kHz | 34.6 MB | 138 MB | 5.5 GB |
Scroll sideways to see all columns.
Calculated as sample rate × bytes per sample × 2 channels × 60 seconds, in decimal megabytes, ignoring the small WAV header. Mono stems are half these sizes. Dropvi enforces the free limit as 50 GiB, about 53.7 GB.
How to send stems
- Export the stems from the same start point, and name each file clearly, for example with the song title and the instrument.
- Open dropvi.com and add the files. A transfer holds up to 500 files. For several songs, put each song's stems in its own ZIP archive, or send one transfer per song.
- Send a link, which needs no account, or confirm your email address with a one-time code to have Dropvi email the engineer.
- The engineer downloads single stems, or every file as one ZIP. Free transfers stay online for up to 7 days.
Previews and checks
- Audio files play in the browser before download, using the browser's own player. Whether a format such as AIFF plays depends on the recipient's browser. Downloading works for every format.
- Previews are turned off on transfers that have a download limit.
- Dropvi shows a SHA-256 checksum for every file, worked out in your browser during the upload. The engineer can compare it with the downloaded copy using the checksum verifier. Downloading with the Dropvi command-line tool checks it automatically.
Limits to know
- The browser uploader cannot resume. If a large upload stops, it starts again. The free Dropvi command-line tool can resume an interrupted upload.
- A dropped connection during a download is retried automatically. A download that still fails starts again from the beginning.
- A PIN or password and a download limit need Business Pro or above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send stems for mixing?
Export each stem as a WAV from the same start point, add them at dropvi.com and send the link to the engineer. Dropvi Free takes up to 50 GB and 500 files per transfer, and the engineer downloads without an account.
How large is a set of stems?
It depends on the format. A 4-minute stereo WAV is about 42 MB at 16-bit and 44.1 kHz, about 69 MB at 24-bit and 48 kHz, and about 138 MB at 24-bit and 96 kHz. Multiply by the number of stems for the session size.
Can I send large audio files for free?
Yes. Dropvi Free sends up to 50 GB per transfer with no account needed to send a link or to download. Files stay online for up to 7 days.
Should I zip my stems?
The main reason to zip stems is that it keeps each song's stems together and counts as one file towards the 500-file limit. Dropvi also lets the engineer download every file in a transfer as one ZIP.
How does the engineer know the files are complete?
Dropvi shows a SHA-256 checksum for every file. If the checksum of the downloaded file matches, the file is the same as the one you uploaded.
Related pages
Send your stems now
Up to 50 GB and 500 files per transfer on the free plan, with no account needed to send a link or to download.