With the release of Max 7, Cycling ‘74 introduced a number of new capabilities to the venerable visual programming language. Among the many innovations are a several objects and devices that offer new possibilities in real-time intonation, pitch and time correction. Since Max for Live (as of Live 9.2) is based on Max 7, we wanted to highlight some of the new devices Cycling ‘74 introduced with Max 7 in the form of this convenient, free Pack for all Max for Live users.

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Max 7 Pitch and Time Machines includes the following devices, grouped by category:

Sample Playback

Classic Player – A standard stereo/dual-mono sample player. This device uses the groove~ object without pitch/time corrections. It features the basic patch structure used in some other more complex examples.

PitchTime Player – A stereo/dual-mono sample player with pitch and time correction. This device introduces some settings which control the pitch and time correction feature.

PitchCorrect Player – A stereo/dual-mono sample player with pitch and formant correction. This device introduces some settings which control pitch and formant correction.

Synced Player – A stereo/dual-mono sample player synced to transport. This device uses the time/pitch correction feature of the groove~ object in order to play in sync with Max or Live's transport.

Bit Player – A sequence-able sample player, synced to transport. This device allows for re-ordering sample playback in sync with Max or Live's transport.

Sampler Instrument – A polyphonic sampler instrument with time-stretching. This device uses the time/pitch correction feature of the groove~ object in a MIDI instrument structure. The DSP part of the patch is embedded into a poly~ container, allowing you to load an open number of instances of a patcher file, and thus allows the use of polyphonic audio synthesis, audio processing, or even control tasks.

Pitch Shifting

Simple Pitch Shifter – A simple stereo pitch shifter. This device uses the pitchshift~ object to perform sound transposition.

Pitch&Vibrato – Stereo pitch shifter with vibrato. This device uses the pitchshift~ object to perform sound transposition. We've added a double LFO which acts as a pitch vibrato.

Pitch&Echo – Stereo pitch shifter with vibrato & feedback. This device uses the pitchshift~ object to perform sound transposition. We've added a double LFO which acts as a pitch vibrato. Additionally, the device inserts the pitch transposer into a delay line to create the famous 'harmonizer' sound.

Dual Harmonizer – A dual-mono pitch shifter with vibrato and feedback. This device uses the pitchshift~ object to perform sound transposition. It is similar to the Pitch & Echo device, except that the stereo echo effect is split into two independent mono delay lines, so that each audio channel can be treated separately.

Multi Harmonizer – 10 notes/20 voices pitch shifter. This device uses the pitchshift~ object in a polyphonic patch structure, thus allowing multiple harmonizations. The DSP part of the patch is embedded into a poly~ container, allowing you to load an open number of instances of a patcher file, and thus allows the use of polyphonic audio synthesis, audio processing, or even control tasks.

Pitch Analysis

Pitch Tracker – This device uses the retune~ object to perform some pitch tracking from monophonic input sound. The detected pitch can be monitored using a simple monophonic synthesizer. The estimated pitch and velocity are transformed into MIDI notes, which can be sent to other devices using the MIDI outlet when the device is used in Max. In Live, we use a special MIDI-side-chaining device, called 'Max MIDI Receiver,' in order to catch MIDI data from other devices such as the present one.

Vocoding

Mono Vocoder – A dual-mono vocoder. This device uses the retune~ object to force a monophonic signal to a given pitch, thus acting like a vocoder device. Pitch correction can be tweaked with some dedicated parameters, according to the type of sound that is processed.

Poly Vocoder – 10 notes/20 voices vocoder. This device is similar to the Mono vocoder device, but uses a polyphonic patch structure, thus allowing multiple harmonizations. The DSP part of the patch is embedded into a poly~ container, allowing you to load an open number of instances of a patcher file, and thus allows the use of polyphonic audio synthesis, audio processing, or even control tasks.

Retuning

Autotuna – A scale-based microtonal auto-tuner that can use Scala files. This device uses the retune~ object to tune the audio to a given scale. Scales can be either entered by hand, or loaded from Scala files – a file format for musical tunings that is a standard for exchange of scales. Learn more about Scala.

Microtuner – A table-based microtonal auto-tuner that can use Scala files. This device is similar to the Autotuna example device, except that scales are entered using a graphic function whose shape can be curved, thus providing some unexpected pitch scales.

MIDI-Side Chaining

Max MIDI Sender & Max MIDI Receiver – In Live, audio and MIDI tracks don't communicate any MIDI data to each other. However, in some cases sending MIDI data to an audio effect might be useful: for instance, if you'd like to send a MIDI chord to a vocoder or harmonizer device using a MIDI keyboard.

Whether you’re a home producer or work at a major recording studio, Autotune and other pitch correction software can help deal with a weak vocal performance.

In a hurry? I love Melodyne 4 Studio from Celemony. It’s sounds incredible, leaving little to no artifacts on vocals recorded in a treated space, but are in need of a little fixing.

But Autotune isn’t reserved exclusively for pitch correction. T-Pain popularized the hard-straightened pitch, even going as far as releasing an iOS app called “I Am T-Pain.”

Pitch correction software can also be utilized for other instruments as well. I’ve even used VariAudio (the “Autotune” built into Cubase) on bass guitar parts that were slightly out of tune. The result was surprisingly excellent, with little to no audio artifacts.

There’s a lot you can do with Autotune and similar software.

With so many options for producers, how can you decide on which one to use? Auto tune maker free download. Fortunately, I’ve had the experience working with many pitch correction plugins to weed out the good from the bad.

I’m going to include both free and paid options, so please read on!

Have an interest in virtual instruments? Don’t miss my other roundups!

Table of Contents

1) Antares Auto-Tune Pro (Paid)

Auto-Tune is the original pitch correction software. It’s so popular that its name is synonymous and is more of a colloquial term.

Antares gives you a couple of options to pick from depending on your needs — Pro, Artist, Access, or EFX+. As you’d guess, the price moves up the more features there are.

Auto-Tune is very hands-off. I’d even go as far as to say that it’s the most straightforward plugin for correcting pitch.

Pros

• Easy to use for beginners
• Lightweight on memory
• Great-looking user interface

Cons

• AUTO mode is limited
• Difficult for beginners to use GRAPH
• A little outdated compared

When using Auto-Tune on a vocal track in AUTO mode, set the key, the retune speed, and the amount of humanization. You should be able to hit the playback button now and hear hopefully great results.

Because it’s simplicity, I find that it doesn’t perform as well as others (when using the quick settings) that require more fine-tune vocal editing.

To fix an abysmal vocal performance, use the graph mode and hand tune each note to your liking. This process is much more complicated but yields a far better result.

I am not huge on Auto-Tune (I know many are), but it can deliver exceptional results. If you take the time to learn how to use it properly, you’ll have great-sounding vocals with ease.

Auto-Tune from Antares is available at Plugin Boutique.

2) Steinberg VariAudio — Cubase Pro (Paid)

Steinberg’s VariAudio is a pitch correction software included in Cubase Pro. It’s not a standalone plugin, so you won’t be able to use it if you don’t own Cubase Pro.

But, for those of you with Cubase who didn’t realize your DAW has pitch correction, rejoice!

I love VariAudio — so much so that I couldn’t imagine switching DAWs. I’ve been on Cubase for ten years, so I know my way around, but VariAudio is the one thing that will keep me as a forever customer.

Pros

Free Autotune Machine Free

• Integrated into Cubase
• Quick to edit any clip
• Very fast and no CPU

Cons

• Audio artifacts are very noticeable if not careful
• Limited cutting resolution
• Not intuitive at first

VariAudio functions similar to Melodyne and Auto-Tune’s graph mode. Double-clicking on a clip opens up the editor, where you can choose to enable VariAudio — no plugin required.

From here, it’s simple as using Pitch Quantize and Straighten Pitch on each clip. Cutting clips also helps pitch only individual sections of a waveform.

The newest version of VariAudio introduced some incredible options for adjusting pitch that make the software even more valuable.

I highly recommend considering Cubase Pro if you plan to switch DAWs — for VariAudio exclusively!

Free Autotune Machine Videos

Steinberg’s Cubase Pro is available from Plugin Fox.

3) Celemony Melodyne (Paid)

We’re moving up the price ladder, but for a good reason. Melodyne from Celemony is one of the most utilized pitch correction plugins used by professional vocal editors and producers.

Melodyne offers (to my ears) the most accurate and musical sounding algorithm, leaving no tuning artifacts that are easily recognizable to the untrained ear.

Pros

• Incredible-sounding algorithm
• Tons of flexibility when vocals sound poor
• Zero audio artifacts in most cases

Cons

• Difficult for new users
• Rather expensive

The software has incredible note detection allowing for more accurate tuning. I find that in VariAudio, there are times that the software cannot understand individual notes, so they are omitted. It’s not too often this occurs, but Melodyne does it better.

Melodyne is available at Plugin Boutique.

Voice Auto Tune Free Download

4) Waves Tune (Paid)

Waves Tune operates similarly to Auto-Tune and Melodyne. Before you begin tuning, the software scans the audio track and displays audio waveforms.

The process of editing is quite similar as well, though the interface is slightly dated.

Pros

• Included in many of Wave’s plugin bundles
• Relatively lightweight on CPU

Cons

• Outdated
• Difficult to use

I have never enjoyed using Waves Tune but figured it needed a mention since Waves is one of the most popular audio plugin companies.

5) Waves Tune Real-Time (Paid)

While cheaper than the regular version of Tune, Tune Real-Time offers a quick and user-friendly experience for tuning vocals. I’d compare this plugin to using Auto-Tune on AUTO mode.

Note transition is iffy at best and artifacts are present throughout (at least when I used it). The plugin isn’t smooth sounding at all, and there aren’t many parameter changes available.

I’d recommend Real-Time for two different scenarios. The first being someone new to audio production looking to fix a vocal without technical knowledge of tuning vocals. You won’t get the most professional sound, but it will be acceptable.

The second scenario is for producers working with singers in the studio who struggle to sing on pitch.

Using a pitch-correction software can boost the confidence of the singer in the booth, though I can’t say for sure if this will lead to a better sounding vocal take.

Despite the marketing of Waves Tune Real-Time, claiming instant vocal tuning, I could envision latency becoming an issue in some home studio settings.

Free Auto-Tune VST Plugins

If you’re on the fence about which one to get or want to save a little cash, try some of these free pitch correction plugins I’ve listed below.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Pitch Correction Software Plugin

Despite all the choices I’ve laid out, you still may be confused on the correct option. Here are some things to consider before making a decision.

Does the software maker provide a trial?

If so, take the trial and check out the software! There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a plugin only to find out that it’s non-refundable.

Do you need graph editing functionality?

Graph editing, like seen in Melodyne and VariAudio, is for advanced vocal editors. If you need a quick tuning for a little enhancement of a track, you may not need to edit each note.

If you want to draw in the notes physically, a more advanced pitch correction software will be necessary.

Further features you may desire are formant control, MIDI input (for vocoder), and note straightness. These types of effects are often essential in a lot of today’s popular music.

Does your DAW already have pitch processing?

Mine does — that’s why I’ve included VariAudio in this list. Digital audio workstations like Propellerhead’s Reason and MOTU Digital Performer also come with their native pitch correction software.

Wrapping Up

Which one do I like most? If I didn’t have VariAudio included in Cubase, I’d most likely be using Melodyne exclusively. It sounds incredible, and the workflow is so intuitive.

So there you have it — my list of the best Auto-Tune/pitch correction VST plugins. Which one do you currently use in the studio? I’d love to hear from you down below in the comments. Thanks for reading!

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