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You could buy a variax
Digitech Drop or FAS Virtual Capo
- Thread starter Stone
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I don't have a Drop but I'm about to download the new beta. I'm still on 29.00, I'll do up a before/after clip.
Edit- in the meantime, @AlbertA did a pretty thorough test, more thorough than mine will be- https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...9-01-public-beta-2-beta-4.214999/post-2700412
There's definitely an improvement on that tremolo effect present in the first several clips.
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Derp derp, Drew!!!
I'm a dumbass and didn't realize I had the Rotary block engaged when I was still on 29.00 and made the first clip, but I think anyone paying attention knows it had a tremolo effect that wasn't desirable.
This is the new beta, my Strat is in standard tuning, the first time I play through the progression the VC is down a halfstep, then I continue dropping it as the clip goes on. (starts at -1 and ends at -6, then back up to -2) At the end I kicked on some chorus just to see what kind of effect that'd have on it, I should have strummed a few chords with it instead of picking.
Listening now, the half-step down is certainly passable, barely any trem effect at all, but it does kick in for a whole step down and gently ramps up as you get lower in pitch. Definitely an improvement, especially in the latency regard, pretty crazy how close to perfect those first couple half steps were with the latency. I'd probably just slap some chorus on anything below a half step and 'bury' the trem effect with it.
Tight work, @FractalAudio! I'd imagine if this were something easily obtainable it would have been done by now. I'm curious, is there anything aside from pitch detecting/shifting going on in there? Like tonally/dynamicly? I wonder if removing some of the low end that builds up as you drop in pitch, or any 'extraneous' frequencies that are introduced as the pitch changes if it'd make for a cleaner sounding pitch shift?
I'm a dumbass and didn't realize I had the Rotary block engaged when I was still on 29.00 and made the first clip, but I think anyone paying attention knows it had a tremolo effect that wasn't desirable.
This is the new beta, my Strat is in standard tuning, the first time I play through the progression the VC is down a halfstep, then I continue dropping it as the clip goes on. (starts at -1 and ends at -6, then back up to -2) At the end I kicked on some chorus just to see what kind of effect that'd have on it, I should have strummed a few chords with it instead of picking.
Listening now, the half-step down is certainly passable, barely any trem effect at all, but it does kick in for a whole step down and gently ramps up as you get lower in pitch. Definitely an improvement, especially in the latency regard, pretty crazy how close to perfect those first couple half steps were with the latency. I'd probably just slap some chorus on anything below a half step and 'bury' the trem effect with it.
Tight work, @FractalAudio! I'd imagine if this were something easily obtainable it would have been done by now. I'm curious, is there anything aside from pitch detecting/shifting going on in there? Like tonally/dynamicly? I wonder if removing some of the low end that builds up as you drop in pitch, or any 'extraneous' frequencies that are introduced as the pitch changes if it'd make for a cleaner sounding pitch shift?
Sleezy E
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gonzoknife
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My workflow preference with my FM9 is an external pitch shifter pedal. Why? I don't need dedicated pitch shift patches or waste precious CPU on blocks in the off chance I need it. I can keep my patches the same and change keys when and if I need to. I did the same thing for a long time with a Digitech Mosaic for 12 string sounds.
Granted, lately I've been using a Boss GM-800 setup lately that eliminates the need for a pitch shifter by using modeled guitars.
As always, YMMV
Granted, lately I've been using a Boss GM-800 setup lately that eliminates the need for a pitch shifter by using modeled guitars.
As always, YMMV
Jarick
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Seemed like earlier beta made things worse and now its back where it was before to my ears.
dronerstone
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The Helix Poly Capo is easily on par with the Drop. I have no Fractal experience, but I'd guess its pitch algo is legit as well.
Anyhow, like some have already said, I'd still recommend a pedal if you're playing a gig and want to spare DSP for other stuff, and a "real" down-tuned guitar if you're recording.
In the mix, you'll get away with a pedal or modeler, but the single track on its own will sound a bit off.
Anyhow, like some have already said, I'd still recommend a pedal if you're playing a gig and want to spare DSP for other stuff, and a "real" down-tuned guitar if you're recording.
In the mix, you'll get away with a pedal or modeler, but the single track on its own will sound a bit off.
James Freeman
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I have a question for those who have a Digitech Drop pedal and an AxeFx, which one has less artifacts now?
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Huge improvement on the latency, I think if Cliff can get it to behave the same way for up to 2 whole steps down as it currently does for 1/2 step down there'd be zero question which one stands on top.
There's also some variables to consider when reading reports from the wild; the better tuned the guitar is the better it works and time + clips have proven not everyone is precious about their guitar being perfectly in tune and/or fretting chords dead-on to reduce any beating between the notes in regular situations. This is a perfect scenario of why clips are more valuable than words on a forum.
TSJMajesty
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Another thought...
You have a few guitars. Why not change the tuning on one of them? I'm going to put one of my Majesties in C std. That way, I'll be no more than 1 full step away from any song I want to play, and the VC can fill that gap just fine.
You have a few guitars. Why not change the tuning on one of them? I'm going to put one of my Majesties in C std. That way, I'll be no more than 1 full step away from any song I want to play, and the VC can fill that gap just fine.
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James Freeman
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This thread makes me want to string my old Cort with EMGs with 12s and permanently tune it to C Standard for InFlames and a whole lot of other death metal.
dronerstone
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Your best options:
1. Buy new, additional guitar and tune down*
2. Use Drop Pedal with existing guitar
3. Use some form of pitch shifter from AFX/HX or (insert rando plugin) and wish you had chosen wisely (ie 1 or 2)
4. #2 but with a new guitar
*This is TGF and talk of not buying a new guitar because you already have one is showing you are not a team player and in fact, willing and able to let the rest of us down with your selfish decision making.
1. Buy new, additional guitar and tune down*
2. Use Drop Pedal with existing guitar
3. Use some form of pitch shifter from AFX/HX or (insert rando plugin) and wish you had chosen wisely (ie 1 or 2)
4. #2 but with a new guitar
*This is TGF and talk of not buying a new guitar because you already have one is showing you are not a team player and in fact, willing and able to let the rest of us down with your selfish decision making.
