Old 09-14-2010, 09:51 AM   #1
Ed Zeppeli
Human being with feelings
 
Ed Zeppeli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 559
Default Lowering Pitch to sing high harmonies?

Sooooo, I have this tune I've been working on and it's ready for vocals. I have MIDI triggered drums using Short Circuit and about six audio tracks for various guitars.

Since I'm just a humble home recordist I'll be doing all the singing myself but would like to add a high harmony that is out of my vocal range. I'd like to lower the pitch at least a step, maybe even 3 semi-tones to bring the key down for recording this track only.

Is this something I can do fairly easily with Reaper? Will it sound unnatural when brought back to concert pitch?

Any input and advice is greatly appreciated!


Regards,

Warren
Ed Zeppeli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 10:55 AM   #2
tls11823
Human being with feelings
 
tls11823's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Harrisburg, PA USA
Posts: 1,481
Default

Pitch shifting often results in noticeable artifacts, but if your harmony part is tucked in the background with EQ, reverb, etc., you may get away with it. As a baritone that has trouble with high notes, I find it best to do the harmony parts below the melody. That may be worth considering in your case instead of trying to use audio magic.
__________________
We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
--Charles Kingsley... or maybe Albert Einstein... definitely somebody wiser than myself--
tls11823 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 10:59 AM   #3
DuraMorte
Human being with feelings
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: In your compressor, making coffee.
Posts: 1,165
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Zeppeli View Post
back to concert pitch?
Pitch-shifting might get you partway there, but in the future, you might consider detuning your guitars a half- or whole step, to allow easier reaches to the higher harmonies. I always record a whole step down for this exact reason.
__________________
To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. - yep
There are various ways to skin a cat :D - EvilDragon
DuraMorte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 11:33 AM   #4
Dstruct
Human being with feelings
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,480
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Zeppeli View Post
Is this something I can do fairly easily with Reaper?
You can do it with the Playrate fader (some call it VariSpeed recording). Rightclick increase/decrease by the desired amount. Record. When done set the fader back to 1.
Dstruct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 12:06 PM   #5
Ed Zeppeli
Human being with feelings
 
Ed Zeppeli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 559
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tls11823 View Post
Pitch shifting often results in noticeable artifacts, but if your harmony part is tucked in the background with EQ, reverb, etc., you may get away with it. As a baritone that has trouble with high notes, I find it best to do the harmony parts below the melody. That may be worth considering in your case instead of trying to use audio magic.
Ya, I may have to go that route but really wanted the impact of a higher harmony.

Tks
Ed Zeppeli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 12:07 PM   #6
Ed Zeppeli
Human being with feelings
 
Ed Zeppeli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 559
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DuraMorte View Post
Pitch-shifting might get you partway there, but in the future, you might consider detuning your guitars a half- or whole step, to allow easier reaches to the higher harmonies. I always record a whole step down for this exact reason.
Yes, this was one of those 'written as recorded' pieces and I didn't have the foresight to de-tune or transpose.

thanks
Ed Zeppeli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 12:08 PM   #7
4.33
Human being with feelings
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 173
Default

F2 -> elastique pro 2.1 (lowest pitches)
works a wonder!
4.33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 12:08 PM   #8
Ed Zeppeli
Human being with feelings
 
Ed Zeppeli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 559
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dstruct View Post
You can do it with the Playrate fader (some call it VariSpeed recording). Rightclick increase/decrease by the desired amount. Record. When done set the fader back to 1.

Thanks, I'll look for that; I don't want to have to pull out the 'Nut Constrictor' to reach those notes.
Ed Zeppeli is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.