VocalSync automatic audio alignment

VocalSync lets you automatically align the timing of audio data to a reference track. This is very useful if you want to replace or double-track an existing vocal track, and synchronize the timing between the original and new tracks.

Figure 491. VocalSync.

The basic principle behind VocalSync is that you first specify a guide track that contains the correct timing, then you specify the dub audio that you want to align with the guide track. VocalSync then applies varying amounts of time stretching or compression to adjust the timing of the dub audio to match the timing of the guide track. You have full control over the alignment strength. Only the dub audio is modified, and the pitch of aligned audio is unchanged. The guide track is an entire track, while the dub audio can be any audio selection (a clip, a time selection, an entire track, etc.).

Although VocalSync is primarily intended for vocals, it can also produce good results with instruments and other audio sources.

Why use VocalSync?

Dubbing, or re-recording, is a process in which additional or supplementary recordings are mixed with, or replace, a previous performance.

In a recording session, overdubbing typically starts with a guide track, and the performer attempts to overdub as closely as possible. However, due to the nature of human performance, the result is normally not perfect.

To correct timing discrepancies between the guide track and dub, loop-recording problematic sections and manual editing is often required. This can be both time-consuming and expensive.

With VocalSync, the artist can concentrate on their performance and not worry about perfectly matching the previous performance. VocalSync can quickly adjust the timing to match the original guide track.

From lip-syncing to double-tracking, VocalSync helps you in creating performances with perfectly aligned overdubs, and reduces the time that would otherwise be necessary to re-record dialogue or vocals.

VocalSync is suitable for various audio alignment tasks, including:

Perfectly align double-tracked lead vocals, backing vocals, or melodic instrumental tracks.

Re-groove recorded vocals for remixing.

Tighten the ensemble of instrumental tracks that share an identical rhythmic performance.

Synchronize a drum machine track to a live drum track (and vice versa).

Lip-sync replacement dialogue in post-production for film and video.

Change the voice, or even gender, of a vocal performance.

 

Note: Instruments with very different timbres may be problematic to align in certain cases.

How VocalSync works

VocalSync is a Region FX that lets you align the timing of a VocalSync Region FX clip (the dub) to any audio guide track.

Note: For best results, it is a requirement that the guide track and dub track performances are already time aligned as closely as possible. You cannot have an arbitrary selection for the guide track.

When aligning two audio performances, VocalSync analyzes and compares the onsets and decays in the guide track and dub, then applies varying amounts of time stretching or compression to the dub so it matches the guide track as closely as possible.

VocalSync uses a particular formula, or algorithm, to stretch the audio. It uses a processor-friendly algorithm for online previewing, and a more processor-intensive algorithm for offline render.

The following figure illustrates two different recordings of the same phrase. The waveforms are similar, but the timing is slightly different. The green and black lines are superimposed over the waveforms for illustration purposes only, but are not visible in Cakewalk. Green lines represent onsets, and black lines represent decays.

 

 

Note: As with all audio alignment tools, VocalSync works best when the original audio (guide track) and overdub (dub audio) are fairly similar to begin with. A performer should always attempt to align to the original audio as closely as possible during the recording process. The closer the match, the better VocalSync can operate.

 

See:

VocalSync editor

Using VocalSync

Using Region FX

ARA Audio Random Access

Melodyne

Drum Replacer

 

See also:

AudioSnap