Neko Engineering has partnered with AI audio processing company LALAL.AI to embed real-time stem separation in Neko, a pocket-sized wireless AI guitar rig, according to Monthly Mixing. The device combines an amp modeler, effects processor, stem splitter and recorder.
Monthly Mixing reports that Neko debuted at IBC 2026. Its built-in Neural Guitar FX is based on Neural Amp Modeler NAM A2 Full and connects to more than 250,000 tones from the TONE3000 community. The Stem Splitter feature uses LALAL.AI technology to separate songs into guitar, bass, drums and vocals in real time on-device, requiring no network connection or dedicated app.
LALAL.AI co-founder Nik Pogorsky told Monthly Mixing that Neko runs the separation on its own chip, using the same engine as the LALAL.AI desktop app and VST plugin, adapted for the embedded chip’s memory and processing limits.
Additional features include Tabs Converter, which converts guitar stems into tablature; Time Machine, which records and organizes performances on a timeline; and AI Arranger, which creates backing tracks from played riffs. Users can mute parts of separated stems and play along, with adjustable playback speed. Monthly Mixing directs readers to the Neko Engineering Kickstarter page for further information.
For more information, visit mixing.co.kr.
