Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Big Fun with Tape Resampler

10/07/2020

Tape Resampler, a new Studio One 5 feature, replicates an old school time-stretch technique that varied pitch and tempo simultaneously and proportionately. Today's DSP can change pitch and tempo independently, which is cool. But the price you pay is artifacts, because when changing tempo or pitch, you need to either delete or add data.

With resampling, the data stays the same-so there are no artifacts, and the sound is natural. Although extreme speedups give the Chipmunks sound and extreme slowdowns evoke Darth Vader on tranquilizers, subtler speed changes were used all the time with tape. It was common to speed up a master tape by a few per cent to give the tempo a slightly faster, peppier sound, as well as some added brightness. (If you've ever tried to play along with a song that was several cents sharp, it was probably sped up a bit.)

The manual mentions using Tape Resampler to fit loops to tempo (assuming accurate pitch isn't crucial), but there's another application that at least to me, is worth the update price by itself. With tape, it was common to slow the tape down or speed it up, play along with the part, and then return the speed to normal. This produced a timbral and formant shift, and was popular for background vocals. For example, if a song was in the key of A, you'd slow down to the key of G, sing along with it in G, then return the tape to normal. The vocal would have a brighter formant change that often worked well. This could also help you hit notes that were just out of your range. (We covered similar techniques in the blog post Varispeed-Type Formant Changes, but because they used DSP, at least some artifacts were unavoidable.)

How to Do It

Create a premix of the song from start to finish. The premix must begin at the start of the timeline, even if the actual tracks don't come in until later. An easy way to create a premix is with Song > Export Mixdown, and under Options in the dialog box, choose Import to Track.

Solo the premix and select the track. In the Inspector, choose Timestretch, and Tape for the Timestretch method.

Look at the handy transposition chart that lists how to edit the Speedup parameter to transpose an Event up or down a specific number of semitones. For example, suppose you want to lower the premix pitch two semitones down so you can sing along with it. Select it, then enter 0.89 for the Speedup. The Handy Transposition Chart

Semitones Pitch Up Pitch Down

1 1.06 0.94

2 1.12 0.89

3 1.19 0.84

4 1.26 0.79

5 1.33 0.75

6 1.41 0.70

7 1.50 0.67

8 1.59 0.63

9 1.68 0.59

10 1.78 0.56

11 1.89 0.53

12 2.00 0.50

Sing along with the premix, which is now playing back two semitones lower and somewhat slower.

When you're done, extend the overdub's beginning to the start of the timeline (e.g., use the Pencil to draw an event from the beginning to the start of the overdub, select them both, then type Ctrl+B to glue them together).

Select the overdub, and again, choose Tape for the Timestretch method. This time, set the Speedup value to 1.12 to transpose the pitch up 2 semitones so it will match the song's original pitch (Fig. 1).

You no longer need the premix, so either remove it, or change its speedup value back to 1.00 to return it to its normal pitch. (If you select the overdubbed Event and type Ctrl+B, the new pitch will become a destructive edit, and the Speedup value will return to 1.00.)

Figure 1: The overdub is being raised two semitones.

Calling All Rocket Scientists! Note that the transpose numbers relate to the 12th root of 2. This irrational number (its numerical value has been taken out to over twenty billion decimal digits, but it still doesn't repeat!) sets the ratio between semitones of the even-numbered scale. Fortunately, three significant digits covers our needs.

Learn more about Studio One 5 here!
LINK: https://blog.presonus.com/index.php/2020/07/10/big-fun-tape-resampler/...
See more stories from presonus

Most recent headlines

08/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1By SVG Staff Monday, December 8, 2025 - 6:56 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlights The 2025...

08/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Dreamed Sports Into a New World

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Drea...

08/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 2110, MXL, AR/XR, and More

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 211...

08/12/2025

#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026

#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026By Ken Kerschbaumer Monday, December 8, 2025 - 9:10 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story High...

08/12/2025

MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video Heavyweight

MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video ...

08/12/2025

Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production Applications

Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production...

08/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-Gen Distribution for Live Sports

SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-G...

08/12/2025

Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances the Altcast Art Form Again

Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances...

08/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: ESPN Director Jeff Nelson on Calling the (Animated) Action on Monsters Funday Football'

SVG Sit-Down: ESPN Director Jeff Nelson on Calling the (Animated) Action on Mon...

08/12/2025

Monsters Funday Football': Louisiana Philharmonic Delivers Again With Orchestral Mashup of MNF' Theme and Monsters, Inc.' Score

Monsters Funday Football': Louisiana Philharmonic Delivers Again With Orches...

08/12/2025

Always Was, Always Will Be Strength, Survival and Pride this January 26 on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand

Always Was, Always Will Be Strength, Survival and Pride this January 26 on NITV,...

08/12/2025

Nielsen Audience Segments Now Available in Amazon DSP & Amazon Marketing Cloud

Nielsen's robust data offering enables marketers to connect with their target audience more effectively and drive better results throughout Amazon's adv...

08/12/2025

Paramount Launches Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with an all-cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstandin...

08/12/2025

ASG Names Macky Beheshti Director, Enterprise Storage and Systems

EMERYVILLE, Calif. Media and entertainment technology and services provider Advanced Systems Group has named Macky Beheshti as director, enterprise storage and ...

08/12/2025

MediaKind to Acquire Harmonic's Video Business for $145M

DENVER MediaKind, a global provider of cloud-based video streaming technology announced today that it is acquiring the video business of Harmonic Inc. for appro...

08/12/2025

Nielsen Audience Segments Now Available in Amazon Ads Marketplace

NEW YORK Nielsen has announced that its Audience Segments from Nielsen Marketing Cloud (NMC) are now available across the Amazon Ads marketplace, including the ...

08/12/2025

Marshall Electronics Highlights CV355 27X ND3 Camera With...

Marshall Electronics showcases the CV355-27X-ND3 Optical Zoom NDI (NDI HX2, NDI HX3) Camera at ISE 2026 (Booth 4N900). Designed for users seeking high-quality ...

08/12/2025

Cinnafilm Launches Tachyon LIVE and IPx LIVE - Real-Time...

Cinnafilm today announced the immediate availability of IPx LIVE and Tachyon LIVE, delivering broadcast-grade, real-time IP video transcoding and motion-compens...

08/12/2025

Hiltron Sees Expanding Demand for Satcom Systems Througho...

Following a successful 45th anniversary year in 2024, Hiltron reports increasing demand for its wide range of satellite communication equipment manufacturing, p...

08/12/2025

Another record year for The Late Late Toy Show as it captivates audiences at home and abroad

Over 1.7 million people watched across the weekend Another record-breaking year...

08/12/2025

Your Holiday Checklist Essentials

When was the last time you updated your default playlist(s)? A default playlist keeps your station(s) on the air should your team ever miss a step in sending mu...

08/12/2025

VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Breaks Ground for Hyper Cloud Data Center to Offer Sovereign Enterprise, AI and Digital Services

08 Dec 2025 VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Breaks Ground for Hyper Cloud Data Ce...

08/12/2025

Netflix ISP Speed Index for November 2025

Back to All News Netflix ISP Speed Index for November 2025 Product 08 December 2025 Global Link copied to clipboard This month marks 15 years of the Netfl...

08/12/2025

Another Exciting Chapter in Our Book-to-Screen Journey and What's to Come

Back to All News Another Exciting Chapter in Our Book-to-Screen Journey and What's to Come Entertainment 08 December 2025 Global Link copied to clipboa...

08/12/2025

Harmonic Announces Pending Sale of Its Video Business to MediaKind

Strategic and transformative transaction would sharpen Harmonic's focus on its core Broadband business and advance its growth initiatives Ensures continued...

08/12/2025

N-Series elevates performances at one-of-a kind jazz gastropub - The Epicurus

Copenhagen's The Epicurus is a one-of-a-kind Jazz Gastropub that presents exclusive performances curated by Jazz Pianist and Producer Sir Niels Lan Doky. Fe...

08/12/2025

Arvato Systems receives gematik approval for TI-Messenger tim+

Arvato Systems Receives gematik-approval for TI-Messenger tim Approval secured for TI Messenger tim - paving the way for secure and interoperable communicat...

08/12/2025

Eurovision legend Niamh Kavanagh revealed as first contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2026

Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh is the first celebrity to be revealed for the s...

08/12/2025

The RT Toy Show Appeal raises over 30 million in 6 Years

Changing children's lives for good: A staggering 4.6 million raised in the 2025 appeal The people of Ireland and people all over the world have once again...

08/12/2025

Daddy's dancing: Paudie Moloney revealed as second contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2026

It's murder on the dancefloor as The Traitors Ireland legend Paudie Moloney ...

07/12/2025

Netflix Takes Over the Oslo Skyline With Celebratory 'Troll 2' Light Show

Back to All News Netflix Takes Over the Oslo Skyline With Celebratory Troll 2 L...

06/12/2025

L3Harris Chair and CEO Appears on CNBC at Reagan National Defense Forum

In a live broadcast from the Reagan National Defense Forum, L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher Kubasik joined Morgan Brennan on CNBCs Closing Bell: Overtime. Ku...

06/12/2025

Survey: M&E Embraces Horizontally Integrated Media Archiving Approach

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A new survey from Pixitmedia by Datacore revealed a major shift in the Media & Entertainment industry in media archiving, with 85% of resp...

06/12/2025

Czech TV Deploys LiveU Solutions in 10 OB Vans

HACKENSACK, N.J. LiveU has announced that the national public broadcaster Czech Television has completed one of the largest LiveU live production deployments fo...

06/12/2025

NATAS Celebrates 76th Technology & Engineering Emmy Award Honorees

NEW YORK The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the Excellence in Production Technology Emmy Award to NASA+ and Dr. Tom Leight...

05/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nationally and Regionally

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nati...

05/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Veritone's Sean King on the Power of Mining Video, Audio Data

SVG Sit-Down: Veritone's Sean King on the Power of Mining Video, Audio DataThe company's Data Refinery offers users total control and governance over da...

05/12/2025

Platinum White Paper: Inside the Nashville Predators' Unified, Flexible, Scalable Production System with Ross Video

Platinum White Paper: Inside the Nashville Predators' Unified, Flexible, Sca...

05/12/2025

Netflix Reaches Agreement To Acquire Warner Bros. Following Planned WBD Split

Netflix Reaches Agreement To Acquire Warner Bros. Following Planned WBD SplitThe deal does not include WBDs sports assets like TNT Sports (US, UK, LatAm), Euros...

05/12/2025

FOX Sports Returns to Indianapolis for Primetime Broadcast of Big Ten Championship

FOX Sports Returns to Indianapolis for Primetime Broadcast of Big Ten Championsh...

05/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Digital Engagement & Monetization Workshop Tackles the Future of the Viewer Experience

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Digital Engagement & Monetization Workshop Tackles the ...

05/12/2025

Atlanta United Lights Up New Emory Healthcare Studio With First Live Broadcast for World Cup Draw

Atlanta United Lights Up New Emory Healthcare Studio With First Live Broadcast f...

05/12/2025

As Messi Takes the Pitch, MLS, Apple, NEP Roll Out Largest MLS Cup Production Ever

As Messi Takes the Pitch, MLS, Apple, NEP Roll Out Largest MLS Cup Production Ev...

05/12/2025

ESPN Enters College Football's Most Intense Month With Elevated Workflows for Championship Week

ESPN Enters College Football's Most Intense Month With Elevated Workflows fo...

05/12/2025

Sorry, Baby, Peter Hujar's Day, Among Sundance Institute-Supported Projects Nominated for 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards

It's about that time! Awards season is in full swing, and the Film Independe...

05/12/2025

Surprised by Your 2025 Wrapped? Here's a Look at How the Data Comes to Life

Every year, Spotify Wrapped offers a personalized look back at the audio that defined your year. It's a snapshot of your listening habits, designed to tell ...

05/12/2025

Celebrating Spotify's GLOW, RADAR, and EQUAL Artists of 2025

In 2025, Spotify's EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR programs celebrated women, LGBTQIA , and emerging artists who turned moments into milestones. From breaking record...

05/12/2025

Wi-Fi 7 - Go Beyond Speed to Deliver Security, Trust and Value

In our latest blog, we explain how Wi-Fi 7 rollouts can drive consumer loyalty with value-add services such as consumer cybersecurity. We also explore how this ...

05/12/2025

Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. in Deal Worth $82.7 Billon

LOS ANGELES Netflix announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion....