I’ve been looking at SpectraLayers, but the stem splitter in the latest Logic Pro update (11.2) does pretty much all I need - to import tracks then split out piano, bass, drums, etc. to practice guitar to. Given that this is a ‘free’ option for me, can anyone see any problems with splitting stems in Logic, then importing to Cubase? Logic doesn’t split out drum stems, but would there be any other advantages to getting SpectraLayers? I much prefer to work in Cubase for most other things..
When I tested Logic vs SL12 week-before-last, I used Paul Baule’s Abyssal (Original Mix). 08:33 long, 44.1k, nice synths, vocals, drums, synth, etc. Logic was super fast - like 1:45 I think. SL12 took over 9 minutes (Mac Studio Ultra). But the SL12 quality was superior. The bass separation was incredible - literally no frequency bleed from the drums or synth. Logic actually did a better job than SL11 did, but it still had synth bleed and drum crossover. But in all fairness it was still quite good and it directly supports Apple Silicon GPU.
In my opinion, the Logic stem-separator would probably be “good enough” if you were still using Logic to produce. Taking the extra steps to export and import into Cubase may not be a big deal to you, and you probably won’t be doing it a ton anyway. But SL let’s you do it INSIDE Cubase via ARA and you can just drag your tracks from SL-ARA right to a new track, or just work within SP directly in CB if you like (I don’t - I create new tracks because I don’t like the distraction).
Since you’re asking advice, I’d say keep on using Logic until the SL trial is released, and then try it out yourself. No need to buy anything now, and there’s quite a bit of chatter about SL12 not being ready for “prime time” yet - to the point others have speculated that’s why the trial isn’t out yet (“speculated” being the key word there 
). For me though, I’m in SL12 now, and am quite impressed with the new features, including better harmonic selection and transient separation for sound design stuff. Pretty amazing, really.
HTH
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Do whatever works. The underlying code with a gui tacked on top is what we’re all using.
Logic incorporates Spleeter to do its demixing (as do many other programs). Spectralayers uses highly tweaked demucs. I don’t use Apple products, but do use several pc-based that are spleeter embedded …when that becomes a good choice depending on source.
Spleeter’s sort of the grandpa code now…at, what ..five years since origination. First code out of the gate, first code I got my hands on (and was thrilled by)…still tweaked by millions of github (or whatever) coders.
But since then, hey …we all have additional code choices.
Whether I’m using Spectralayers 12 or anything else, the process is unto itself on whichever program is working best for source.
And then I import results into Cubendo for the multitrack work
Do whatever workflow works for you.
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Thanks both for the advice, it’s really helpful. Waiting for the SL trial (and a possible sale) and using Logic in the meantime looks like a good option.
Legally? No.
Technically? No.
Sound quality wise? It’s entirely up to you.
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I see the SpectraLayers 12 Trial has been released. Looking forward to trying it, Logic Pro stem splitting definitely has limitations.