Synchro Arts VocALign Project


Synchro Arts VocALign Project
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Got plug-ins? Of course you do. While most plug-ins are like candy, Synchro Arts new version 2.8 of VocALign Project is more of a meal. VocALign Project is now available as an AudioSuite plug-in for Pro Tools and Pro Tools HD as well as a standalone version for Digital Performer 3.0, Cool Edit Pro, Sound Forge and other editors that use Sound Designer II (MAC) or .wav (PC) file formats. VocALign was originally designed to help dialogue editors align lip synched dialogue performances to the original production takes. Simply select the guide and overdubbed performances and VocALign time compresses or expands the overdub to match the guide take. This new and improved version is more powerful and processes audio with almost no audible artifacts.

I used VocALign Project as an AudioSuite plug-in for my Pro Tools Mix Plus system over the past few weeks and I've been thrilled with it's power and ease of use. I typically record pop and R&B songs with dozens of tracks of stacked background vocals and VocALign allows me to choose or create a master performance with perfect phrasing and then align any subsequent performances to it. To use VocALign you open the AudioSuite plugin, highlight the guide track and click the Capture button. Then highlight the overdubbed audio, press Capture again and choose the destination track and click Process. That's it! There are five levels of processing available with the normal setting effective in most situations. Since VocALign processes audio based on the timing of the signal's energy, pitch of the audio is irrelevant...important for processing multiple harmony parts that require the same phrasing but different pitches.

Applications for VocALign are growing in my mind and so far I have used it on background vocals, double-tracked guitar solos and special effects like vocoders that need to match existing vocal performances. The processed audio retains its natural dynamics and almost never sounds processed or mangled.

Given today's production styles and hectic schedules, $299 MSRP seems too cheap for a tool this powerful. Check out the Synchro Arts website at www.synchroarts.com and download a 14-day demo and try it yourself. For more information Synchro Arts Limited can be contacted at Global House, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5AD, UK. Telephone +44(0) 20 8823 9100.

is a Los Angeles-based engineer/producer and partner in Old Skool Productions.

Edited by: Barry Rudolph

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