
Music Professional - Stem Source Separation Expert
Listing checked October 8, 2026 · pay as published by Meridial
Key details
- Pay
- $9/hr
- Location
- Remote
- Job type
- part-time
- Posted
- October 7, 2026
Overview
Open-source source separation models such as HTDemucs, Open-Unmix, MDX-Net, and the RS-RoFormer family split a track into just 4 to 6 stems. Real music mixtures hold dozens of separate instruments, and that coarse output blocks work in remixing, music education, transcription, and music information retrieval. This annotation project pushes current best separation models past the standard 4-stem limit. Annotators listen to short audio segments and name the specific instruments and instrument families they hear.
What You'll Do5
- Listen to short audio segments and note each instrument present.
- Sort sounds into specific instruments and broader instrument families.
- Label stems that extend beyond the standard 4 to 6 stem groups.
- Apply annotation rules so labels stay consistent from clip to clip.
- Identify overlapping instruments and mark each one in the segment.
Requirements5
- Proof of experience in music, audio production, or source separation work.
- Familiarity with models such as HTDemucs, Open-Unmix, MDX-Net, or RS-RoFormer.
- Ability to identify instruments and instrument families by ear.
- Background in music annotation, transcription, remixing, or music information retrieval.
- Comfort with labeling short audio clips and following detailed annotation guides.
Who Should Apply
Candidates who have worked with source separation models and can prove it through a portfolio or past projects are the right fit. A strong ear for instrument identification matters, along with a music background that covers many genres and ensembles. The role does not suit people who lack direct experience with audio annotation or who cannot share evidence of source separation work. Reviewers often reject applicants who list general music skills but fail to name specific models or annotation tools. A clear, verifiable record of stem separation or instrument labeling gives you the best chance.
Salary Insight
The posting lists $9.00/hr. That rate sits at the lower end for specialized music annotation and source separation work, even when the project requires proof of experience with models such as HTDemucs or RS-RoFormer. Candidates with deep audio ML backgrounds may see this as entry-level annotation pay rather than research or model development compensation.
Required skills
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