A quick guide to using AudioStretch
This is a guide that details how to use AudioStretch, my preferred tool to use when transcribing. There are many other tools out there to slow down and/or analyze audio, but this is the one I find most helpful and use for just about everything. You're free to use what you like of course, but I hope this will be able to help others looking to improve their transcriptions and arrangements who may not already have a go-to tool for this.
AudioStretch used to be available in browser at http://audiostretch.com/audiostretchforflash/ (http://audiostretch.com/audiostretchforflash/), but that link now redirects to download links to the mobile app version. Fortunately, the tool is still available in browser, embedded in the free-to-use BandLab (https://www.bandlab.com/) site.
What does it do?
I mainly use it to slow down audio. You can slow down the playback speed of an audio file and even click/drag to move it at whatever pace you like and make it "hang" on any one spot, making it easier to transcribe what pitches are present at any given moment. I also occasionally adjust the pitch by an octave to make the high/low notes easier to hear. That's about it; the tool doesn't actually produce any output for you - it just helps you listen to what's happening in the music so you can transcribe it yourself.
The app versions provide some expanded functionality, most notably a spectrum analysis of the audio file that provides a visual mapping of the relative volume of each pitch to keys on a keyboard. I generally try not to resort to using this most of the time, though, since it can result in relying too much on a technical analysis of what sound is being produced as opposed to what "sounds" right to a listener.
How do I use it?
First, create an account on BandLab (https://www.bandlab.com/). It's easy and you don't need to provide much in terms of your personal info.
Then, go to the Mix Editor (https://www.bandlab.com/mix-editor). Click Import Audio/MIDI and upload the audio file for what you want. (If you're wondering how to get one from YouTube, there are tools out there you can use like ClipGrab (https://clipgrab.en.softonic.com/).)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/691321895307444284/unknown.png
Next, right click the waveform and choose AudioStretch > More.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/691322541670793306/unknown.png
Now you can adjust playback speed and shift the pitch. And most importantly, you can click and hold/drag the waveform to focus on any moment in the track. That's it!
https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/401094846107877377/691322986795630693/unknown.png
Nice tutorial, I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from this! It's a great tool for arranging.
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