Creating stems in pro tools

Stem-mixing is a method of mixing audio material based on creating groups of audio tracks and processing them separately prior to combining them into a final master mix. Stems are also sometimes referred to as submixes, subgroups, or busses.
Some people consider stems the same as separation mastering although others consider stems to be sub-mixes to be used with separation mastering. There is some lack of clarity with regards to what is a stem versus what is a separation. Semantically it seems to depend on how many separate channels of input are available for mixing and/or at which stage they are at towards reducing them down a final stereo mix, with different people drawing the separation line at different places.
This technique originated in the 1960s with the introduction of mixing boards that were equipped with abilities to assign individual inputs to sub-group faders and then manipulate each sub-group (stem mix) independently from the others. This technique is widely used in recording studios to control, process and manipulate entire groups of instruments such as drums, strings, or backup vocals, in order to streamline and simplify the mixing process. Additionally, as each stem-bus usually has its own inserts, sends and returns, the stem-mix (sub-mix) can be processed independently through its own signal processing chain to achieve a different effect for each group of instruments. This technique is also practiced with DAW in a similar way where groups of audio tracks may be processed and manipulated digitally through a separate chain of plugins.
Stem-mastering is a technique derived from stem mixing. Just like in stem-mixing, the individual audio tracks are grouped together to allow for independent control and signal processing of each stem and can be manipulated independently from each other. Even though this method is not commonly practiced by mastering studios it does have its proponents. The advantages and pitfalls of stem mastering are listed below

Creating stems in Pro Tools requires basic knowledge of the input and output routing on a track, and creating a Bus or Aux track.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless you want to play with parallel compression, you DO NOT use the sends to create stems and sub groups (it results in double monitoring, which is dangerous to your sound by creating phase issues). Proper stem creation requires changing the OUTPUT of the audio tracks so that the only place you actually hear the track's signal is via the subgroup. Basic set up is: route the output of all your audio tracks to the input of a stereo Aux/Bus track (but read all the steps, there are a couple other things you need to do to be safe).We'll use making a drum stem as the example:Create new Aux track (stereo) (shift + command + N shortcut). Make sure it's stereo so that you don't lose the stereo image you already have in your drum mix.
By default, the output of the new Aux track should be going to your master 1/2 mix (unless you have some other presets in your I/O routing). This is what you want.
Change the INPUT of the STEREO AUX TRACK to an unused BUS in the system (when you select the input (I'm using the mix window here) you'll see the inputs for your audio interface as well as the internal busses. Pick an internal bus that is NOT being used (it will be a stereo L/R pair)
Solo Isolate that Stereo Aux track. (command + click on the solo button of the Aux track). Solo isolating means that when in a mix solo mode, SIP solo mode (when you solo one track it mutes all the others and uses the Main Mix bus to hear the signal in the stereo field) any track / channel that is isolated with NOT get cut. You tend to always solo isolate all your Effects returns and subgroups. (Example: if your drums are in a subgroup, you want to be able to solo your snare and hear it THROUGH the subgroup fader. If the subgroup / stem fader is not isolated, solo'ing the snare will also cut the subgroup, which means you won't hear it... bummer).
Select all of the drum tracks (so the faders / names are highlighted).
Hold down Shift and Option. This translates to "apply to all: (with option) selected (adding shift), so that changing one of the selected tracks with those two keys help down will apply that change to all other selected tracks.
(With shift + option held down first) Change the OUTPUT of the drum tracks so that it is the SAME INTERNAL BUS as the INPUT of the AUX track (your sub / stem fader that you set up above).
Hit play

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