PRODUCT DESIGNSTRATEGYINTERACTION DESIGNWIREFRAMING & PROTOTYPING

[crate] is currently in beta testing and is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026. This is a preview of what happens when a passion for technology and music comes together.

If you're looking for a great example of an idea going from 0>1, [crate] is a lightweight stem-splitting app that lets anyone import a song and isolate its individual parts, vocals, drums, bass, instrumentals in just a few taps. It was built in response to the bloat and steep learning curves of professional music tools, stripping the experience down to a single, focused job: get clean stems fast.

ROLE

When the idea for [crate] surfaced I instantly acknowledged how valuable a tool it would be because I am passionate about music and have tried several times to figure out how to make my own music or just dissect my favorite songs to understand the multiple steps that go into making them.

Having a clear idea of the purpose [crate] would serve I immediately got in front of my whiteboard to sketch what a potential interface for the lightweight desktop app would look like because at its basic level [crate] aims to eliminate the complexity that exists in traditional music production software. Due to how subtractive I wanted the interface for crate to look like I was instantly able to go from just sketches to a coding a functional prototype using Claude Code and React+Vite designing the app by using Apple’s Liquid Glass’ design language.

[crate] IN ACTION

[crate] promises accessibility for all. Stem separation has historically lived inside dense DAWs and pro audio suites aimed at producers. [crate] reframes it as something anyone can use, a utility, not a workstation.

For Musicians & performers, Pull a backing track by removing vocals, or isolate a single instrument to learn a part by ear. Great for rehearsing, transcribing, or building practice loops.

For DJs & producers, Source clean acapellas and instrumentals for remixing, mashups, and sampling without hunting down official stems that may not exist.

For Singers & vocal coaches, Generate instant karaoke versions of any song, or isolate a reference vocal to study phrasing, breath, and technique.

For Content creators, Strip vocals to use instrumentals as royalty-friendlier background beds, or pull specific elements for video edits and transitions.

For Educators & students, Break a recording into its components to teach arrangement, demonstrate how a mix is layered, or let students focus on one instrument at a time.

For Curious listeners, Hear how a favorite track is constructed, what the bassline is really doing, how the vocals sit alone purely for the joy of it.