I haven't given up on getting to grips with Audacity yet - just up to my eyes with work and things. Audacity just keeps wanting me to convert my files to another format - I read somewhere on Sessions that somebody had found a program that would convert almost any format. Have been looking but can't find the details. Weekend coming will try again then!
One of my students mentioned the Tascam MP - GTI and a web search gave info on the Tascam CD - GTI MKII..They both seem interesting. Does anyone have experience with one or other? Are these suitable for Banjo, mandolin?
Any feedback welcome
There is a very good free media player called jetAudio, that can change pitch and tempo, and has lots of other handy features, too.
There are some other programs made just for transcribing music by ear, that you might want to check out. I've tried two that have free demo's available, "The Amazing Slow-downer" and "Slowgold". If you search the web, you'll find them. They're okay, but i wasn't exactly amazed by either of them.
I think part of the problem with this kind of software is that use loose quality very rapidly as you get slower. I found that slowing most things down by 20-30% was plenty, most of them time. The jetAudio player has the best quality of the three, and it's using mp3s.
For the best quality at very slow speeds, you might want to try "Transcriber" at www.reedkotlermusic.com. You must convert your files to .wav format, but the payoff for these larger files is much better quality, and very slow speeds. It also has lots of handy tools to isolate a phrase, or even a note, and loop it, etc. etc.
What you can do is convert an mp3 to wav, just long enough to learn it; then delete the .wav. I think there is a link to a free program that will convert the files for you.
All that said, I like Audacity a lot, it's a good program. But I don't think it is as useful for learning a tune as a program that is designed just for that task.
Hi John,
The benefit of Audacity is that is freeware. I use it for that reason and because it is available online without having to go shopping for stuff (a bit difficult here in Central Oz). Audacity will record anything that gets played by your computer, and will slow down quite successfully up to about 40% - but hey, who would want to go much slower than that? Of course you can use Windows Media Player to do about the same anyway. But the disadvantage of Audacity is the size of the Audacity files - they are huge, so when I have finished working on the files, the thing to do is export them. I do this in WAV and these files seem to consistently be more than 10 meg, so I downloaded another free prog called 'Switch' which very quickly and neatly converts WAV into MP3 at less than 2 meg. Then I delete the Audacity and WAV files so I am left with the MP3. Good enough to import back into Audacity if I want to fiddle (pun) with adding new tracks etc.
I guess it all depends on what you want to do, and whether you want to pay anything. I think there might be one thing in common with all the progs, and that is that it takes a bit of getting used to all of them. It took me six months of trial and error to learn the stuff I was able to impart to some of my students in less than 20 mins!!! Oh well.
All the best with it anyhow.
Thanks Lads,
I will try to digest everything you've added above over the next few days.
I just want to improve my own playing and then develop some method of getting a group of students to learn the same tune so that we can all play together. Target time late September.
John B
One trick I've learned with Audicity - on those very tough tunes where the ornaments are so fast it's hard to tell exactly what's happening even at 20% - use the "change speed" option and slow it 50%.
This not only slows the tempo 50% but drops the pitch exactly 1 octave. This effectivly eliminates the distortion that just slowing the tempo causes if you go down much more than 20%. It sounds more like a viola but you can really hear all the details of those tricky bits.
I only use dbPoweramp to convert to mp3 if I'm importing a .wma or .rm file which Audacity can't open.
It's also great for ripping the audio out of mpg and wmv movie files.
I use the Tascam to record along with the free Cubase LE that came with it, then import the WAVs generated into Audacity to tidy them up and clip off unwanted lead in and lead out. I know that Cubase will do all these things, it's just that Audacity has a far more user friendly interface. I've not tried recording direct to Audacity yet as I'm still getting used to the complexities of condenser microphone positioning, and Cubase gives me a nice Vu meter function.
When I downloaded Audacity the website included a set of plug ins using the LAME system which include the facility to output as MP3. Once you've installed the package you get 'Save as MP3' as an additional option on the 'File' menu in Audacity, and when you select it it gives you a couple of options for file quality. Effectively I'm doing the same as Clear Drops except I don't need to leave Audacity or even save the Audacity project, which saves a lot of time and disk space. I don't know if this is a new facility (I've had it about four months).
I use this technique to record myself playing tune sets so that I can give them to other band members on CD. They can then practice in their own time. Lots of free CD burner packages will take MP3s and create an audio CD from them - I use Nero Burning Rom by preference. For each set I record the full set at 'performance' speed doing two repeats of each tune, then I record separate tracks for each tune played slowly and evenly to allow them to be picked up clearly by ear. Feedback so far has been very positive; usually along the lines of "can you do xxx's reel next...".
John B - if you go back to the Audacity website and download the LADSPA extensions I think you'll get over your problem. You will still get a warning when saving projects to do with compatibility of Audacity project files - just ignore it!
And one more point - the Tascam (122L) I use runs off power from the USB port of my laptop. Running off the laptop's own battery I get just over an hour of recording using two condenser mics with phantom power, which is not bad.
Are we talking about the same 'Tascam', the CD - GTI MKII, also called a 'guitar trainer'? Cubase LE doesn't come with it, at least not the several times I've purchased it...
"Audacity just keeps wanting me to convert my files to another format"
Not sure if this helps but . . . when you save a file in Audacity, it saves to it's own format (.aud I believe). However, what you may have overlooked is the export commands (in the File drop-down menu). This is how you save an audio file as an .mp3 or a .wav or an .ogg. So, for example, if you are just wanting to save a recording or any other file you have open in Audacity as an MP3, you must select Export from the File menu. You can either export the entire file or just a selected portion of it. On the other hand, if you select File, Save Project - it will save it in Audacity's own file format.
i have the 'slow downer' but have just bought the tascam for portable use when teaching. will let you know which i prefer when it gets here. btw, i got the vocal trainer version of the tascam for £69.99 brand new off ebay. thats about half price. worth a look.
Hi All
I downloaded the dbpoweramp mentioned by Ken (FiddleMeThis) and succeeded in Ripping one of Stocktons Wings CDs. It was ripped as a WAV file and Audacity saw this!!!
When I played it the result was much too slow and very heavy rhythm section so much so that I couldn't hear the jig but what a start after over a week of trying.
All good - Can now read the notes and your very useful advice
Thanks again
John Barry from Sunny Cork!
"The MP-GT1 is the first MP3 player designed for musicians. Based on the award-winning CD-GT1 MkII, this mobile guitar trainer has enough memory to store up to 240 songs. Zip through your MP3 collection using a data wheel, dedicated buttons and a graphical backlit display. Tracks and sections can be looped or slowed down without changing the key. And even recorded guitar parts can be defeated to help you learn new riffs and tricky passages of the best bands in the world. Songs can also be pitched up or down to match the tuning of your guitar, so you don't have to re-tune for every song.
The MP-GT1 lets you play along with thick overdrive and multi-effects. A chromatic tuner and a metronome are also built-in. A high-speed USB connection is used to load up MP3s and charge the built-in lithium ion battery giving you up to 8 hours of playback time (an optional power supply is also available).
All of this is packed into a player smaller than a stomp box, so you can carry it anywhere the road takes you."
Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
I haven't given up on getting to grips with Audacity yet - just up to my eyes with work and things. Audacity just keeps wanting me to convert my files to another format - I read somewhere on Sessions that somebody had found a program that would convert almost any format. Have been looking but can't find the details. Weekend coming will try again then!
One of my students mentioned the Tascam MP - GTI and a web search gave info on the Tascam CD - GTI MKII..They both seem interesting. Does anyone have experience with one or other? Are these suitable for Banjo, mandolin?
Any feedback welcome
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by John B
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
I use dbPoweramp - http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm
Nominal registration fee is $18USD for a fully functional version. But it's worth it IMO.
Additional codecs available on the site for lots of formats, including .wma, .ogg, .rm, etc.
Ken
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by RogueFiddler
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
John,
You've got a few other option, too, I think...
There is a very good free media player called jetAudio, that can change pitch and tempo, and has lots of other handy features, too.
There are some other programs made just for transcribing music by ear, that you might want to check out. I've tried two that have free demo's available, "The Amazing Slow-downer" and "Slowgold". If you search the web, you'll find them. They're okay, but i wasn't exactly amazed by either of them.
I think part of the problem with this kind of software is that use loose quality very rapidly as you get slower. I found that slowing most things down by 20-30% was plenty, most of them time. The jetAudio player has the best quality of the three, and it's using mp3s.
For the best quality at very slow speeds, you might want to try "Transcriber" at www.reedkotlermusic.com. You must convert your files to .wav format, but the payoff for these larger files is much better quality, and very slow speeds. It also has lots of handy tools to isolate a phrase, or even a note, and loop it, etc. etc.
What you can do is convert an mp3 to wav, just long enough to learn it; then delete the .wav. I think there is a link to a free program that will convert the files for you.
All that said, I like Audacity a lot, it's a good program. But I don't think it is as useful for learning a tune as a program that is designed just for that task.
Good luck,
Lamont
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by lamonster
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Hi John,
The benefit of Audacity is that is freeware. I use it for that reason and because it is available online without having to go shopping for stuff (a bit difficult here in Central Oz). Audacity will record anything that gets played by your computer, and will slow down quite successfully up to about 40% - but hey, who would want to go much slower than that? Of course you can use Windows Media Player to do about the same anyway. But the disadvantage of Audacity is the size of the Audacity files - they are huge, so when I have finished working on the files, the thing to do is export them. I do this in WAV and these files seem to consistently be more than 10 meg, so I downloaded another free prog called 'Switch' which very quickly and neatly converts WAV into MP3 at less than 2 meg. Then I delete the Audacity and WAV files so I am left with the MP3. Good enough to import back into Audacity if I want to fiddle (pun) with adding new tracks etc.
I guess it all depends on what you want to do, and whether you want to pay anything. I think there might be one thing in common with all the progs, and that is that it takes a bit of getting used to all of them. It took me six months of trial and error to learn the stuff I was able to impart to some of my students in less than 20 mins!!! Oh well.
All the best with it anyhow.
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by Clear Drops
Don't know anything about tascam, sorry.
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Thanks Lads,
I will try to digest everything you've added above over the next few days.
I just want to improve my own playing and then develop some method of getting a group of students to learn the same tune so that we can all play together. Target time late September.
John B
# Posted on April 26th 2007 by John B
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Tascam ~ you can carry it anywhere you go and it operates on batteries...
I use software and the Tascam ~ get the Tascam...
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
One trick I've learned with Audicity - on those very tough tunes where the ornaments are so fast it's hard to tell exactly what's happening even at 20% - use the "change speed" option and slow it 50%.
This not only slows the tempo 50% but drops the pitch exactly 1 octave. This effectivly eliminates the distortion that just slowing the tempo causes if you go down much more than 20%. It sounds more like a viola but you can really hear all the details of those tricky bits.
I only use dbPoweramp to convert to mp3 if I'm importing a .wma or .rm file which Audacity can't open.
It's also great for ripping the audio out of mpg and wmv movie files.
Ken
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by RogueFiddler
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
I use the Tascam to record along with the free Cubase LE that came with it, then import the WAVs generated into Audacity to tidy them up and clip off unwanted lead in and lead out. I know that Cubase will do all these things, it's just that Audacity has a far more user friendly interface. I've not tried recording direct to Audacity yet as I'm still getting used to the complexities of condenser microphone positioning, and Cubase gives me a nice Vu meter function.
When I downloaded Audacity the website included a set of plug ins using the LAME system which include the facility to output as MP3. Once you've installed the package you get 'Save as MP3' as an additional option on the 'File' menu in Audacity, and when you select it it gives you a couple of options for file quality. Effectively I'm doing the same as Clear Drops except I don't need to leave Audacity or even save the Audacity project, which saves a lot of time and disk space. I don't know if this is a new facility (I've had it about four months).
I use this technique to record myself playing tune sets so that I can give them to other band members on CD. They can then practice in their own time. Lots of free CD burner packages will take MP3s and create an audio CD from them - I use Nero Burning Rom by preference. For each set I record the full set at 'performance' speed doing two repeats of each tune, then I record separate tracks for each tune played slowly and evenly to allow them to be picked up clearly by ear. Feedback so far has been very positive; usually along the lines of "can you do xxx's reel next...".
John B - if you go back to the Audacity website and download the LADSPA extensions I think you'll get over your problem. You will still get a warning when saving projects to do with compatibility of Audacity project files - just ignore it!
And one more point - the Tascam (122L) I use runs off power from the USB port of my laptop. Running off the laptop's own battery I get just over an hour of recording using two condenser mics with phantom power, which is not bad.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Are we talking about the same 'Tascam', the CD - GTI MKII, also called a 'guitar trainer'? Cubase LE doesn't come with it, at least not the several times I've purchased it...
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by ceolachan
The Tascam 122L is an altogether other species...
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
"Audacity just keeps wanting me to convert my files to another format"
Not sure if this helps but . . . when you save a file in Audacity, it saves to it's own format (.aud I believe). However, what you may have overlooked is the export commands (in the File drop-down menu). This is how you save an audio file as an .mp3 or a .wav or an .ogg. So, for example, if you are just wanting to save a recording or any other file you have open in Audacity as an MP3, you must select Export from the File menu. You can either export the entire file or just a selected portion of it. On the other hand, if you select File, Save Project - it will save it in Audacity's own file format.
Hope that helps.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by snapper
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
i have the 'slow downer' but have just bought the tascam for portable use when teaching. will let you know which i prefer when it gets here. btw, i got the vocal trainer version of the tascam for £69.99 brand new off ebay. thats about half price. worth a look.
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by saltybrian
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
There's also a bass version...
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Audacity and/or Tascam Guitar tutor?
Hi All
I downloaded the dbpoweramp mentioned by Ken (FiddleMeThis) and succeeded in Ripping one of Stocktons Wings CDs. It was ripped as a WAV file and Audacity saw this!!!
When I played it the result was much too slow and very heavy rhythm section so much so that I couldn't hear the jig but what a start after over a week of trying.
All good - Can now read the notes and your very useful advice
Thanks again
John Barry from Sunny Cork!
# Posted on April 27th 2007 by John B
Re: Audacity and / or Tascam Guitar tutors? CD & MP3
Tascam MP-GT1 ~ portable MP3 guitar trainer with integrated guitar preamp and effects, 1 GB of memory, variable speed, pitch control, metronome & chromatic tuner ~ at around £130 / $180...
http://www.tascam.com/
http://www.tascam.com/Products/mpgt1.html
http://www.tascam.com/Press/Releases/01182007-mpgt1.html
"The MP-GT1 is the first MP3 player designed for musicians. Based on the award-winning CD-GT1 MkII, this mobile guitar trainer has enough memory to store up to 240 songs. Zip through your MP3 collection using a data wheel, dedicated buttons and a graphical backlit display. Tracks and sections can be looped or slowed down without changing the key. And even recorded guitar parts can be defeated to help you learn new riffs and tricky passages of the best bands in the world. Songs can also be pitched up or down to match the tuning of your guitar, so you don't have to re-tune for every song.
The MP-GT1 lets you play along with thick overdrive and multi-effects. A chromatic tuner and a metronome are also built-in. A high-speed USB connection is used to load up MP3s and charge the built-in lithium ion battery giving you up to 8 hours of playback time (an optional power supply is also available).
All of this is packed into a player smaller than a stomp box, so you can carry it anywhere the road takes you."
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by ceolachan