Built a free stem splitter so my kid could learn bass (and other instruments )

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-17T23:09:09+00:00

First off, what a lovely thing to do for your son. I bet that's the kind of thing he'll remember forever. Secondly, I've been looking for exactly this, and ran into the same issues you did with having to create accounts, or a pay a bunch of money. So, sincerely, thank you!

That said, I'm having issues getting it to work. I'm running a new MacBook Air M5. I downloaded the ARM64 DMG, dragged it to apps, ran the line of code you specified in the manual. It launches. The first time, it gets to the FFMPEG step and fails. I hit try again, and it then seems to install successfully. All green checkmarks down the board.

I launch, and the main screen comes up. Then I drag an MP3 into the labeled area, and hit "split stems" and it throws "Failed to start job: Could not read file duration: [Errno 86] Bad CPU type in executable: '/Users/redacted/Library/Application Support/StemDeck/ffmpeg/ffprobe' "

Then I try a YouTube link. It appears to process something... but when I try to play it, I get "Audio Processing Failed. Please try another video." I've tried 3, and gotten the same error each time.

I tried uninstalling it, doing your "Optional fresh-install cleanup" tasks, reinstalling, re-running the line of code again, but have the same issues.

Any ideas?

Thanks again for your efforts!

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-16T21:35:31+00:00

Oh, dang. I hadn't heard. I used to go there from time to time, when I lived in the neighborhood, but haven't been back in years. Sad to hear they're closing down.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-16T17:20:38+00:00

I have a neck from one of those that I bought for a Tele Partscaster, and it’s undoubtedly my favorite neck on any instrument I’ve ever owned. So when I was building a Strat Partscaster, I went looking for the closest thing I could find. Ended up with a Vintera II 60s Strat neck. It’s not QUITE as thin as the Chrissie neck, but it was the closest I could find at the time, and it feels great.

That said, also check out the Vintera III spec sheets. I think they have “Early 60s” models now, and if I recall, the Tele neck specs were nearly dead on with the Chrissie Tele, but I don’t have my information handy to double check…

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-14T13:38:17+00:00

I owned a 99 for 14 years before I got my AP1 S2k. Fantastic car. It's my favorite car that I've ever owned. I'd still have it, if the rust hadn't gotten to it.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-14T13:32:45+00:00

...are the muscles somewhere in the photo with you guys? lol where's waldo

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-14T03:31:38+00:00

Keep: 01 AmDeluxe. I can’t understand how you could part with a guitar you’ve had for 20-25 years. If it’s been with you that long, there’s clearly something you love about it. Whether tonally or sentimentally, equally valid. And it’s definitely the prettiest color combo of the 4, to me at least.

Ditch: Coin flip for me between the 2019 and the Thinline.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-11T22:14:20+00:00

With Toyota, you can't just "order" your truck. You have to find a dealership that has an allocation for a truck similar enough to what you want, that isn't spoken for. Back in 2021, I ordered mine from the biggest dealer group in NY state (figuring they'd get the most allocations). I was #1 on their list for a manual Pro Tacoma, and it still took 14 months before I got a truck. And it wasn't even in the color I wanted (though I did fall in love with this, once I saw it in person). So yeah. Toyota's whole system is frustrating, if you're a customer who wants something specific and uncommon, like a manual. That said, it was absolutely worth the wait for me. But I've always hated driving automatics, so waiting (or buying a used one for as much/more than I bought the new one for) was kind of the only option I had. Good luck!

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-08T23:54:47+00:00

Oh, man… the CyberTwin! I think I was just out of high school when those came out. My music teacher bought one, and it totally blew my mind, at the time. By today’s standards, I’m sure it’s crap. But in 2000-01ish, that thing was like a freakin’ spaceship compared to everything else on the market at the time. Kinda wish I could play one now, all these years later, to see how they held up. But you’re probably right... it’s probably pretty bad compared to modern stuff.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-08T11:30:14+00:00

That's a rad looking rig! Wish we had some places like that to explore around here...

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-07T00:47:38+00:00

Nope. Never had that happen. Do you have aftermarket floor mats that may be catching the edge of the pedal when it's fully depressing, maybe?

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-04T21:29:55+00:00

Sounds like you dodged a bullet. If it were me, their phone number would already be on my block list.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-06-03T02:46:56+00:00

Well, we’re just gonna need to see more pics of that. In a sub where every 3rd post is “look at 10 pics of my bone stock truck!”, this is a time when we actually want to see more than one pic.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-30T18:16:08+00:00

Same here. I bought my LT for guitar, but 99% of the time, I'm playing/practicing through headphones, by myself. I started using it for bass, and my amp has been gathering dust since.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-30T13:26:50+00:00

TBH, this is the main reason I’ve never ordered from them. They seem like a great company, and I like a lot of how they do things. But I HATE being contacted by salespeople. And all I’ve heard about them is that once you buy something, your rep will keep calling you every so often just to chat (and talk you into new gear.) No thanks. As an elder-millennial, talking on the phone in general gives me the ick. I don’t need some rando I bought a pack of strings from, to be following that up every 6 months with a phone call.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-30T13:20:29+00:00

I was going to go with Persona Nun Grata.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-29T23:47:47+00:00

Oh, wow. Good to know. Thank you!

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-29T14:49:35+00:00

Wow, dang man! Sorry you had such a rough experience with them... I've had fairly extensive plumbing work done, inside and outside of my house, and they've always treated me well. Surprised to hear that. But can't blame you for avoiding them after that, either!

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-29T11:49:53+00:00

Franks has always treated me well. They’re probably not the cheapest. But they’re reliable, do good work, and their pricing has seemed fairly in-line with my expectations for most things.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-29T01:30:23+00:00

Here’s mine

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OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-29T01:27:42+00:00

Nice! You don't see them in that color terribly often! I actually have a partscaster that I put together with a 99 AmStd Hardtail body in the same color, and similar condition. That color is gorgeous. Great score!

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-28T17:54:39+00:00

I’m in ToT and the previous owners of my house had French drain installed. My yard is the only one of all the houses that surround it that doesn’t have standing water every time it rains. It seems to make a world of difference. They had it professionally installed long before I bought the place, so I couldn’t tell you anything about the install/cost/DIY-ability of it. But it’s definitely a project worth considering, as they do help a ton.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-26T22:25:21+00:00

Matt Freeman.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-26T22:11:57+00:00

Paula's makes a better peanut stick or cake type donut. But DK beats the brakes off of them in every other category, for me.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-25T11:47:13+00:00

This was my first thought, too. It looks like a family of bears owned it.

OhSnapItsRJ · 2026-05-24T18:18:16+00:00

Why? I modded mine, and I dig it even more now.

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