NIOA VS-880 TIP 210-0003:

Pitch correction

This is not necessarily a new idea, just a combination of several ideas I have gotten off this list. So, here's the way I do pitch correction on a particularly difficult passage:

Insert the voice transformer on the track to be tweaked. Set the voice transformer as follows: VoiceTrns=On, Robot=Off, C.Pitch=0, F.Pitch=0, C.Formant=0, F.Formant=0, MixBal=100, Reverb=Off, FaderEdit=Off, MIDICtrl=On, PitchBnd=1 or 2, Portamen=Off.

Nothing earth-shaking thus far. Now, I'm assuming at this point that you have a sequencer and you know how to sync it with the VS-880.

Now, using the scrub function, scrub through the problem areas on the track. Your sequencer should be following along with you as you scrub. The scrub function gives you a sustained tone that is easy to compare to a stable pitch reference (e.g., keyboard, electronic tuner, etc.). With the scrub function still on, compare the track with your pitch reference. Out of tune? (Of course it is, otherwise you wouldn't be doing this!) Now start sending pitch bend commands from your sequencer on MIDI channel 1 until it's in tune. Once you've got it in tune, write that pitch bend command to your sequencer.

Scrub some more (again, your sequencer should be following along with you). Out of tune? Start sending pitch bend commands on MIDI channel 1 until you find the right amount of pitch bend. Write that pitch bend command to your sequencer...and so forth. If it's way off, or if you want to change the note completely, you can record MIDI note commands (original note is C3, up a whole step is D3, etc.).

Once you're done recording your MIDI track, it's a simple thing to bounce the track with your sequenced pitch corrections. I've done this with vocals and monophonic guitar lines. I assume that it would also work with other monophonic instruments (solo sax, trumpet, etc.).

A couple caveats: the voice transformer is a little picky about having a strong, clean, monophonic signal. Otherwise, you may get that "I'm gargling razor blades" sound. Then again, maybe you like that effect! Also, drastic changes can sound funny if they are in the foreground of the mix. They are less noticeable if they are in the background.

Finally, be creative. I haven't tried this, but you could probably even get away with sequencing harmonies if you kept them in the background or just used them to thicken existing harmonies.

Charley Langer

CLanger@webtv.net

18 Oct 1997

1997/12


Numerical Index
Subject Index
The Latest Tips for this Edition
Additional Information / Submit a tip

Back to the NIOA Tip List Main Page