Computer music software question...

jon112780 · Post by **jon112780** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:25 pm

Is there a software that could play a CD(or a file) at the same speed but change the pitch?

Say, you have a recording of yourself playing a Rochut etude, but you want to hear it say a 4th or 5th higher/lower, but still at the same speed. Is there software that can do that???

I am not at all computer savvy, so I don't know where to even start looking...

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:34 pm

If the file is MIDI, that's no problem for most software packages. As a normal audio file, like an mp3, it doesn't seem as common if at all. I've researched this a bit not too long ago.

Eric B · Post by **Eric B** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:44 pm

I'm sure there is a program available, but I am not aware of one. I am a minister of music. I purchased a piece of hardware (BMP Nikkodo Digital Echo Processor w/ Digital Key Controller Model DEP-2000K) that can shifts the pitch as much as 6 half-steps up or down without changing the tempo. I use it to transpose recordings that are outside of my vocal range. I usually don't adjust pitch with it more than 3 half steps up or down. Of course the tracks I use often have background vocals which get distorted (chipmunk or Fat Albert sounding) if I transpose beyond 3 half steps. For piano accompaniment you could go 6 half steps without a huge timbre alteration. These are really probably made for karyoke, but may work to suit your needs. I just did a search and found one (barely used) on Craigslist for $75. I'll include a link to that as well as new ones. I've had ours for 10 years and it still works great.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/ele/370258521.html

http://store.singtronic.com/bmbdeprdieck.html

http://cakaraoke.com/bmbdeprdikey.html

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:59 pm

Some of the audio editing packages like Adobe Audition can vary the pitch and tempo independently, but AA is probably overkill for your application.

Phil Dawson · Post by **Phil Dawson** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:34 pm

Logic Pro7 (from Apple) will do this and Pro Tools also has a plug in that will do this. A 4th or a 5th is hard to do without getting a bunch of distortion.
You might try transposing and then recording it yourself and you would get an idea of how it would sound. If you do an E flat transposition (changing the music from bass to treble clef and taking away 3 flats or adding 3 sharps or a combination of those 2 depending on the key) you can hear the music down a 3rd or up a 6th depending on the octave you play it in.
Good luck, Phil

BopEuph · Post by **BopEuph** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:30 am

Download the trial version of Sony Acid. You can get it at acidplanet.com. Drag and drop the audio file in the program, and toy with the pitch tool at the bottom. It assumes the file is in A, but that's no big deal, up a half step is still up a half step. Make sure you have "preserve pitch" selected. It may take you a little bit to figure it out, but once you do, you have a tool you can't beat. I believe the trial version is good enough that you don't need to buy the full version at all. You can still save, and the trial version is indefinite.

Nick

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:02 pm

Try Audicity:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

You can change pitch while keeping tempo constant or change tempo while keeping pitch constant, as well as many other audio editing possibilities. It works with all kinds of audio sound files, but not MIDI files. The best news: it's free!

Cheers,
Allen