How to convert songs to 440 A?

[Tupac]

It's annoying to be unable to play along to tracks because they tuned down slightly between E and D#. Help?

 

[Chromer]

Option 1, tune yourself to the song.
Option 2, tune the song to you (run it through a pitch-shifter, varispeed control, etc.).

 

[smeet]

Amazing slowdowner is a great app for changing pitch and speed independently. It might be Mac only, I'm not sure.

 

[msaone]

The app Mimicopy is incredible.
For $5 you can choose from 11 keys and slow the song to half speed in pitch.

Check it out.

 

[two fingers]

I think even some versions of Window Media player do it. But there are dozens of ways to get there. Tascam bass trainers (either the CD or MP3 versions) do it. Lots of programs, apps, and gadgets get it done.

But generally speaking before I downloaded a program or got it set right I could already be tuned to the song and playing away. It only takes a second and no extra gear, gadgets or fiddling with settings.

 

[ShonenCello]

Any decent sound editing program will do this. Even the free ones.

 

[smeet]

Amazing slowdowner will do the processing in real time, it can adjust to the cent. It has 5 different pitch/speed algorithms, you can save presets for songs with pitch/speed/loop/eq settings, has a graphic eq, and other features. A really great practice and transcription program. You can even have it loop a section and speed it up each time to help with playing difficult passages. I highly recommend trying it out.

 

[Dixon Steele]

Transcribe! can change both pitch and tempo of a song.

 

[nashvillebill]

Transcribe! can change both pitch and tempo of a song.

I use Transcribe too and it works great.

 

[ddnidd1]

You can't go wrong with either Amazing Slowdowner or Transcribe. Both work on PC or Mac.

Transcribe has more features. They're both excellent tools for learning songs.

 

[quiltkitty]

Transcribe or Audacity

 

[smeet]

You can't go wrong with either Amazing Slowdowner or Transcribe. Both work on PC or Mac.

Transcribe has more features. They're both excellent tools for learning songs.

I haven't used Transcribe. Have you used both? Do you think Transcribe is "better" overall than Amazing Slowdowner?

 

[zon6c-f]

As well as most contemprary recordings utilizing a 5 string..with Low B...this is why I prefer a 5ER....no transposing.

Now those electronic apps and such seem great..but I am sooooo behind that curve.. If I had that technology..I would use it to slow down tunes....while staying in pitch..to learn difficult riffs.

In last band I was in a year ago.. guitarist had an app on his I-Phone or something. When I just couldn't catch a certain riff on one song...he slowed it down for me..NAILED IT! I want one of those....whatever it was..

 

[smeet]

A 5-string won't help with a recording that is a quarter-tone off. In fact, you'll have an extra string you'd have to retune.

Do you have a computer? We have been discussing several free or almost free apps to do the retuning.

 

[nashvillebill]

Transcribe has a free trial period, IIRC. Lots of good features, like being able to write text over areas.

 

[zon6c-f]

smeet: GOOD POINT..

...This is why I also own a 6 string lined fretless.. play between the lines?? ..LOL.. ...NOOOOO...

Yes, obviously I am using a computer.

Home CPU IS SLOOOOW DIAL-UP. One day, I will catch-up...well as much as I will be able to.

It is great that such apps are available.. do work well and are FREE!

Thanks for sharing the info!

 

[Slevage]

Just retune you instrument to learn the song.

(old guy ranting)----- and get off my lawn!

 

[smeet]

Retuning is fine for a while. If you want to retune every time you start a new song, it gets to be a pain, especially if you are going through a whole list of songs that might be out of tune with each other. Sometimes it's not just learning a song, but I want to play along for practice or fun. I don't always feel like retuning my instrument (and have to tune it back afterwards) when I can click a couple of buttons, save it as a preset, and be done with it.

One band I play in does some covers a whole step lower than the originals. Rather than retune my instrument, I can just retune the track.

If you want to learn to play something that is too fast for you to either hear or play, these apps are invaluable. I've slowed down fast licks in some solos and heard notes in there that I would have never suspected... This is even after I thought I already knew how to play those licks "correctly".

I'm an old guy too. But technology has always been there, and artists have always been eager adopters. Tuners, electric instruments, amplifiers, synthesizers, metal strings, tempered tuning, etc. Some old guys didn't buy into any of these things.

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

I just drag an mp3 into Reaper and adjust the pitch there. I keep a file that is currently at about 30 tracks or so of songs I'm learning. I mute all the tracks and just un-mute whatever song I'm working on. Works great. I can split a song into sections, loop a section, even re-arrange a song or create medley type mixes.

 

[ddnidd1]

I haven't used Transcribe. Have you used both? Do you think Transcribe is "better" overall than Amazing Slowdowner?

I have used both and ASD is something I've relied on for years. No doubt - great stuff.

I've also worked with the ASD developer to unscrew a perceived problem with a newer version and XP.

Love ASD but Transcribe just has more flexibility and features.

However, you can't go wrong with either.