[Neil C]

I nearly sent this as a pm to our our resident technical recording guru Boydie but thought better to share the question and response. So even if its a fairly narrow question the principal may be of interest to the many including users of other DAWs.

So the point is I'd like to be able to raise or lower the key which i'm record vocals, whist keeping the bpm the same. The are some high ( or indeed low harmonies ) that are a bit of of strain so I want to be able to lower the pitch of a track, record the backing vocals and then return them to the correct original pitch. Is there such a utility in Sonar Cakewalk?

Thanks in anticipation 
 
Neil

[Boydie]

How could I resist....

If everything is still just MIDI you can simply transpose the MIDI notes


I am guessing it is not that simple and you have some audio (eg guitars) so I would suggest bouncing down your "backing track" to a single track

Load this track in to a fresh project (to keep your original project safe) and then you have 2 main options

1 Pitch Shift

Select the backing track clip and then go to: Process > Transpose option in SONAR

Make sure you click the "Transpose Audio" option

Choose the "Radius Mix" algorithm for a high quality Izotope algorithm

Make sure you make a note of how much you transpose by as you will need to transpose the vocal back up by the same amount for it to fit with the original project

I haven't used this myself but I think it should give you something good enough to sing to


You would then obviously need to reverse the process on your vocal recording so you can import the recording back in to your original project at the right pitch


2 The old fashioned "vari speed" trick

This was used in the days of tape, where the tape is slowed done to lower the pitch

You would then obviously sing along a bit slower, which will then sound a bit faster and higher when played back at the "normal" speed

Here is a great guide to using this trick in SONAR: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun14/articles/sonar-tech-0614.htm


Secret option number 3...

Do you have Melodyne?

You could try using this technique on your "backing track" to lower the pitch and the the same in reverse in increase the pitch of your vocal by the same amount

http://www.guitarplayer.com/guitar-player-101/1025/tech-tips-rethinking-chord-progressions/49192

Good luck and I would be interested to know how these options work out

[Neil C]

Wow, such a fast and comprehensive answer you are a star. It's a bit like a recording Siri
I'm going to try option 1 first, which is what I hoped to find. I have melodyne essentials but not invested anytime although I am tempted as it should payback in reducing time to get to acceptable vocal takes. I was always slightly disappointed with there ions Roland technology always sounded artificial and had artifacts..
Many thanks again
 
Neil

[Boydie]

I am waiting to get some projects finished before treating myself to an upgrade to Melodyne 4 Studio, which really is mind blowing and pure "black magic"!

[Neil C]

Re Black magic, does it have a man come down from a chopper and deliver you the finished results?
N