Whether it's about changing your age based on your face, or your voice, effects are fun. Modification of your voice is one such cool digital invention that allows you to have fun playing pranks with your friends in real-time. You can also disguise your voice to stay anonymous, for instance, as a radio jockey, or modify voice for voiceovers for movies and ad films.
- Sound Effects Microphone
- Real-time Microphone Effects
- Microphone Effects Download
- Microphone Voice Effects
I am looking for instructions on how to setup a real time reverb or echo effects on a PC. Searching did not yield any obvious winners, so if someone can recommend a setup that is easy and works well (software, plugins, instructions, caveat) I would be grateful. This is for amateur setup, primary function is to play with vocal recordings (actually to provide feedback that includes an effect. It changes your voice in a way that it sounds completely different on a call, therefore, making prank calls to a different level. Features: Offers many different voices for fun, for example, you can sound like a robot or an alien. Changes the pitch of your voice, thus, sounding like a man or a woman, and others. Microphone Realtime Effects Software. BluffTitler DX9 v.5.04. BluffTitler DX9 is a realtime 3D video titler. The result can be played in realtime or exported as a movie file for further processing in DVD authoring tools. BluffTitler DX9 is a realtime 3D video titler. File Name:BluffTitlerSetup.exe. The device, app or PC software receives the audio signal from a mic. When the sound signal has been detected, it is processed in real time using different types of effects: Panning, Delay, Echo, Reverb, Chorus, Distortion, EQ, Filters, Vocoder, Auto-Tune, Compression or Pichtshifter. Since this microphone and effects pedal controller has been designed by TC Helicon, one can only expect that it integrates with all of their autotune devices, which would be correct. They are as follows: Compatible with VoiceLive 3, VoiceLive Touch 2, VoiceLive Play, Voicelive Play Acoustic, Voicelive Play Electric, and VoiceSolo FX150.
All this is possible using a good quality voice changing software that is much popular these days. These programs take advantage of call apps to change your voice that make the entire on-call interaction a playful and amusing experience. From changing your voice to match a cartoon character or a robot to posing as a celebrity or politician, it enables you to have a lot of fun with these apps.
Here are some of the best voice changing software that can help you to create and disguise voice for fun.
Voxal
This is a simple yet powerful program that allows you to change, alter, or camouflage your voice in any voice app or game. The game or the app should be using a microphone that takes it to a different level of entertainment.
Features:
- It offers a wide range of voice changing options including alien, women, or a cartoon character for radio, internet, voiceovers, video games, and more.
- It allows you to apply the effects to the current files and also in real-time in the presence of a microphone or any other audio input mode.
- It provides the option to upload and store the series of effects for voice changes.
- It offers a wide number of personalized voice effects, the option to create voices for audiobook characters, and allows you to hear the effects in real-time by connecting the voice change to speakers.
Moreover, it sports a straightforward and responsive interface, consumes minimum CPU space, and is compatible with all current games and applications.
Price: Free trial available; Plans start from $12.99 for unlimited use.
Nexmo
This voice changing solution allows you to personalize your calling experience offering data and conditions, both within your reach. This high-standard global carrier network is known for its inventive, simplified, and resizable voice functions.
Features:
- Syncs effortlessly and live with external dealers, for instance, that work on AI.
- It offers improved business results by allowing you to call over VoIP and telephone network.
- It provides more adaptability with a range of JSON actions that helps manage the course of your calls via the Voice API.
- It allows you to organize audio conferences using just a few codes.
- It offers a personalized experience based on whether you reach a living person or a voice message.
Option to sync saved call recordings with your chosen process tools, to speak text to callers in different languages, smooth audio streaming of saved media, or the facility to record up to 32 call members, are among its other major features.
Price: Free trial available; Pricing starts from $0.0075/message.
Voicemod
This is one of the best voice changing software in the list that enables you to change your voice in real-time for online games.
Features:
- It's a straightforward online voice morphing software that helps change your voice to a woman's voice, robot, etc.
- Also works perfectly for games, online chatting, and syncs smoothly with programmable third-party streaming devices.
- It allows you to use funny sounds (MP3 or WAV formats) like meme or troll sounds and assigns hotkeys for them.
Best of all, it works with some of the most popular games and apps including PUBG, Discord, Skype, or VRChat.
Price: Free
Hero Voicer – Voice Changer
If you are looking for some fun, this voice changer is just what you need. It changes your voice in a way that it sounds completely different on a call, therefore, making prank calls to a different level.
Features:
- Offers many different voices for fun, for example, you can sound like a robot or an alien.
- Changes the pitch of your voice, thus, sounding like a man or a woman, and others.
- Allows you to add sound effects in the background like traffic noise, storm, etc.
- Offers around 12 types of voices and sound effects, which you can also combine.
- Lets you add your custom voice by mixing and importing new voices.
Moreover, you can select a voice in one click, manages your voices, offers an easy to use interface, and more.
Price: Free
Clownfish Voice Changer
This is a versatile voice changing software that allows your voice to be morphed in almost all popular apps like Hangouts, Ventrilo, Discord, Skype, Steam, and so on. It has to be installed as an add-on to the app and so, you must allow it access to your system microphone or any other supported audio device.
Features:
- Easy to use and simple application that works with different chat apps and also with video text messages.
- It automatically syncs with the console of the platform you are communicating with your voice.
- Sports a simple interface with nominal features that works for both beginners and professionals.
- From robot, or baby pitch to silence, mutation, gender, etc., it offers all the sound parameters for a voice changer.
Virtual studio technology with multiple plugins, option to save a new voice in another file or format, or compatibility with all major audio formats, are some of its other important features.
Price: Free.
MorphVox
This is a high-quality voice changer that modifies your voice online as well ass in online games. Coupled with a top-level technology for voice learning, sound quality, and background noise cancellation, it offers a great experience for users.
Features:
- Allows you to modify voices as much as you can to generate more such mixes.
- Transforms it into a soundboard with hotkeys that generate drum rolls and fart sounds.
- Lets you add a background sound as you talk.
Excellent silent background noise cancellation or changing your voice to resemble the character in the game are some of its other significant features.
Price: Priced at $39.99
AV Voice Changer
This is another great voice changing software that allows you to do anything with your voice or any other voice. From manipulating your voice or recording to cutting or blending, you can tweak your voice or any sound file live and also in waveform editing.
Features:
- The voice editor allows you to edit and add effects to adorn your morphed voice file exactly as per your needs.
- It offers a range of state-of-the-art voice effects and filters.
- It provides extended functions like Voice Characters, Voice Enhancing, and more.
- Allows you to record using the microphone or record any sound from internet radio, instant messengers, etc.
Option to modify batch voice files concurrently, to choose from more than hundred nickvoices, analyzing voices, power to blend parody voices, option to swiftly import other person's voice, or defining global hotkeys for mostly used features, are among its other major features.
Price: Free trial version; Full license priced at $59.97.
IVoice
This is yet another voice changer that lets you have a lot of fun with your changed voice. From recording your voice or adding effects to the option to share them with friends, it offers much entertainment for free.
Features:
- Also allows you to change your voice straight from Whatsapp with effects like robot, child, normal, monster, helium, and more.
- Offers the option to save recordings, set the changed voice file as ringtone, and set the file as phone notification sound.
- Works with other applications like Audio streaming tools, VoIP tools, In-game chatting rooms, and more.
Additionally, in advanced levels, it can also compare two different voices, offers support for movie maker, modifies voice in real-time, creates parody voice and much more.
Price: Free.
All-in-One Voice Changer
Changing voice in calls is no more just an idea. This app makes it true by enabling you to tweak your voice both in voice calls and video calls, efficiently. Whether you want to keep your identity hidden, or you want to play pranks with your kids or friends, this software is of great use.
Features:
- Easy to handle and easy to set up.
- Allows you to run a test on the different voice changing effects as long as you want.
- It offers the option to conveniently control the useful slider to modify the pitch and effect.
- Provides voice effect signals as five different icons.
- It allows you to run test recordings and review them later.
- It helps you to make calls with your Skype account with the correct tone and pitch.
Among its other important features are, ability to automatically sync with your voice call apps like Skype or Instant Messenger, and option to select between voice effects like Male, Female, Dragon, Kitten, etc.
Price: Free trial version available.
Skype Voice Changer Pro
While there are many voice changing apps already available that sync with Skype to change your voice while on calls, however, this one's a tad different in its approach. It allows you to modify your voice with live effects or converse in a robotic voice.
Features:
- Easy to use and allows you to replay the sounds that have been recorded previously along with your conversations.
- Lest you preview each effect before you begin with the call.
- It allows you to change the criteria of the effects, live, as you continue talking.
- Offers the option to record your Skype calls to WAV, MP3, AAC, or WMA formats.
- It also offers the facility to capture the audio from individual callers.
Moreover, it also covers another great feature where your voice can be changed to a completely different voice using the speech synthesis function.
Price: Free
Voice Master
This software is especially for Skype, using which you can adjust the pitch of your voice while making a Skype call. This proves to be useful especially if you want to change the default options in the app or you want to simply use it for fun.
Features:
- The interface offers three modes – pitch modification, preview option, and configuration.
- Allows you to run any other program simultaneously with the window minimized and while you continue to chat.
- Lets you test your voice before you use the effect on Skype.
This is more of an add-on for Skype that adds to the voice calling feature. It's lightweight and does not slow down the Skype performance while it works in the background.
Price: Freeware.
Fake Voice
When in the mood to fake your voice to fool your friends for some fun, this software can be useful for you. You can alter your voice to sound like a man, woman, older, younger, high-pitched or deep. You can also change your voice with added effects like robotic, echo, and more.
Features:
Sound Effects Microphone
- Offers live playback while you are busy changing your voice.
- It allows you to tweak your voice to different tones.
Moreover, it consumes only as much space required and hence, does not slow down the system.
Price: Free trial version available.
Virtual Personality
This voice changing software is developed for both telephonic and online conversations. It offers a superior-quality innate voice tone loaded with pitch and frequency-based controls.
Psn store undertale. Features:
- Compatible with PC, telephone line, and with online applications through an exclusive telephone adapter.
- Manipulates and change your voice. All you need to do is to speak on the microphone and the changed voice heard on the other side.
- It offers 24 separate voice effects.
Automatic display of recent usage data, option to record using a regular tape recorder, or though modem, and perfect for individuals, businesses, or private investigators, this app has a lot to offer.
Price: Free trial version.
Conclusion
So, whether you want to change your voice while conversing with your friends online, or modify your pitch using a supported audio format, for instance, a man wanting to sound like a woman, these are undoubtedly the best voice changing software around for that added fun. Make a choice from the above list and start fooling your friends with that newly changed voice.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
PitchBox is a small software application for transforming your voice or music in real-time.
PitchBox was developed for shows and exhibitions, and was hence tuned for that purpose. As such, most of the efforts have been done in proposing ear-catching and attractive audio effects, and on reducing the latency as much as possible. On the other hand, fewer efforts have been done in making it easy to install and setup, or in the amount of features it provides.
If you want to use the audio effects of PitchBox within an audio editor, most of them are available as LADSPA and VST plugins.
- Windows 98 or greater
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 5 or greater. The latest JRE can be downloaded at http://www.java.com (it's free!)
- Optional but strongly recommended for low latency: A sound card with a native ASIO driver, or the generic ASIO4ALL driver.
- Kernel 2.6 or greater
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 5 or greater. The latest JRE can be downloaded at http://www.java.com (it's free!)
- Ubuntu users: the JRE is best installed using the synaptic package manager
- As of writing this page, gcj still has some problems with PitchBox. Use the Sun JVM or the OpenJRE instead if possible.
PitchBox should run on any other system for which the Java Runtime Environment version 5 or greater is available (Mac OS X, Solaris, etc). However, audio is recorded and played using JavaSound rather than using a native library, and hence you may not be able to achieve low latencies.
PitchBox.zip (2.32MB, version 2.0.2)
Warning PitchBox is not easy to setup, especially for real-time voice transformation. It requires understanding of the Larsen effect, and knowledge of audio and microphone setup in general. Please carefully read the advices in the Installation and Setup section below.If the JRE is properly installed (see requirements), you should be able to start PitchBox just by double-clicking on the PitchBox.jar file, or by using the context-menu 'open with..' and choosing the Java runtime. In the application,
- Click on the 'Audio In' check box to transform audio from any audio input (microphone, line-in) in real-time
- Click on the 'File' check box to open and transform audio from a music file (.mp3, .wav, etc)
- Choose the effect you want in the 'Audio effect' panel. 'Normal' is the default one and plays the audio unmodified
- Depending on the effect, you can modify additional parameters in the 'Controls' panel while the audio is being processed
When 'Audio In' is selected, PitchBox transforms audio in real-time from the default audio input port. It will not automatically select the microphone input, or let you choose the audio input to use. It will also not adjust the volume automatically.
Real-time Microphone Effects
Hence, you have to manually choose and setup the correct audio input port (microphone, line-in) using the setup tools of your operating system or sound card.
- On Windows, this is usually found in menu 'Start/Settings/Control Panel/Sound', then by choosing the 'recording' tab.
- On Linux, this is usually done using the 'alsamixer' command-line, or any graphical tool based on it. On Ubuntu you can usually open it by clicking on the loudspeaker icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- The recording level should be adjusted such that the level-meter in PitchBox (top center of the window) goes to about 3/4 when speaking. If it results in a too loud or too soft sound, then adjust the playback volume.
- Never use the 'stereo mix' input port with PitchBox (or with any record->process->play application)
- Most audio input ports (microphone, line-in) sometimes also appear in the 'Playback' tab. Usually, the levels must be left to minimum (or mute) here, because they correspond to the 'monitor' level, which is played unmodified and without going through the audio applications.
When trying to transform your voice from the microphone, audio feedback (high frequency loud tones, known as Larsen effect) may occur, especially when using the build-in microphone of most today's laptops.
Audio feedback occurs because the microphone records some sound, which is transformed, amplified and played to the loudspeaker a few milliseconds afterwards. This amplified sound is recorded itself again by the microphone, and then transformed, amplified and played again, and this loop continues again and again. You get the picture.
Audio feedback cannot be prevented by the application, and may occur in any system with a real-time record->amplify->play loop. A few hints to prevent audio feedback:
- Reduce the playback volume. In general, as soon as the microphone re-records the amplified sounds at a lower volume than the original ones, audio feedback disappears. You may still get echoes or resonances if the volume is too close to the critical level.
- Use headphones for playback.
- Use a directional microphone (aka uni-directional, supercardioid or cardioid) instead of an omni-directional one (most built-in laptop's microphones are omni-directional). Then make sure the microphone does not point in the direction of the loudspeakers. Ideally, the loudspeakers must be behind the microphone.
- Place the microphone as far as possible from the loudspeakers
With some effects, you may notice that the transformed voice is not played immediately, but about 1/4 seconds after you speak, which is annoying, isn't it? This small delay is named latency, and is caused by several factors. Furthermore, it depends on the effect itself. PitchBox has been designed to allow most effects to run at low latencies, by following the advices below:
Within PitchBox,
- set the mode to Voice for effects that have a 'mode' parameter. Note that while the voice mode achieves the lowest latency, it also has the lowest quality. When processing a file, you should set the mode to music to get the highest quality.
- click on the 'Settings' button, and
- reduce the 'block size' parameter. Lower values decrease the latency, but also need more CPU power and accuracy from the operating system. With too low values you will begin to hear clicks, buzz-like sounds, or the processing may simply stop with an error. You may need several tries before finding the lowest value that works on your system.
- change the 'buffers' parameter (Linux only)
- change the 'sample rate' (some sound cards do not support 44100 or 48000Hz natively, and the driver does a software resampling that may add latency)
On Windows there is only one additional, but strong recommendation: use a sound card that has native ASIO support, or use the generic ASIO4ALL driver (see requirements). Without ASIO, the latency will remain very high regardless of how you change the settings of PitchBox.
- Also allows you to change your voice straight from Whatsapp with effects like robot, child, normal, monster, helium, and more.
- Offers the option to save recordings, set the changed voice file as ringtone, and set the file as phone notification sound.
- Works with other applications like Audio streaming tools, VoIP tools, In-game chatting rooms, and more.
Additionally, in advanced levels, it can also compare two different voices, offers support for movie maker, modifies voice in real-time, creates parody voice and much more.
Price: Free.
All-in-One Voice Changer
Changing voice in calls is no more just an idea. This app makes it true by enabling you to tweak your voice both in voice calls and video calls, efficiently. Whether you want to keep your identity hidden, or you want to play pranks with your kids or friends, this software is of great use.
Features:
- Easy to handle and easy to set up.
- Allows you to run a test on the different voice changing effects as long as you want.
- It offers the option to conveniently control the useful slider to modify the pitch and effect.
- Provides voice effect signals as five different icons.
- It allows you to run test recordings and review them later.
- It helps you to make calls with your Skype account with the correct tone and pitch.
Among its other important features are, ability to automatically sync with your voice call apps like Skype or Instant Messenger, and option to select between voice effects like Male, Female, Dragon, Kitten, etc.
Price: Free trial version available.
Skype Voice Changer Pro
While there are many voice changing apps already available that sync with Skype to change your voice while on calls, however, this one's a tad different in its approach. It allows you to modify your voice with live effects or converse in a robotic voice.
Features:
- Easy to use and allows you to replay the sounds that have been recorded previously along with your conversations.
- Lest you preview each effect before you begin with the call.
- It allows you to change the criteria of the effects, live, as you continue talking.
- Offers the option to record your Skype calls to WAV, MP3, AAC, or WMA formats.
- It also offers the facility to capture the audio from individual callers.
Moreover, it also covers another great feature where your voice can be changed to a completely different voice using the speech synthesis function.
Price: Free
Voice Master
This software is especially for Skype, using which you can adjust the pitch of your voice while making a Skype call. This proves to be useful especially if you want to change the default options in the app or you want to simply use it for fun.
Features:
- The interface offers three modes – pitch modification, preview option, and configuration.
- Allows you to run any other program simultaneously with the window minimized and while you continue to chat.
- Lets you test your voice before you use the effect on Skype.
This is more of an add-on for Skype that adds to the voice calling feature. It's lightweight and does not slow down the Skype performance while it works in the background.
Price: Freeware.
Fake Voice
When in the mood to fake your voice to fool your friends for some fun, this software can be useful for you. You can alter your voice to sound like a man, woman, older, younger, high-pitched or deep. You can also change your voice with added effects like robotic, echo, and more.
Features:
Sound Effects Microphone
- Offers live playback while you are busy changing your voice.
- It allows you to tweak your voice to different tones.
Moreover, it consumes only as much space required and hence, does not slow down the system.
Price: Free trial version available.
Virtual Personality
This voice changing software is developed for both telephonic and online conversations. It offers a superior-quality innate voice tone loaded with pitch and frequency-based controls.
Psn store undertale. Features:
- Compatible with PC, telephone line, and with online applications through an exclusive telephone adapter.
- Manipulates and change your voice. All you need to do is to speak on the microphone and the changed voice heard on the other side.
- It offers 24 separate voice effects.
Automatic display of recent usage data, option to record using a regular tape recorder, or though modem, and perfect for individuals, businesses, or private investigators, this app has a lot to offer.
Price: Free trial version.
Conclusion
So, whether you want to change your voice while conversing with your friends online, or modify your pitch using a supported audio format, for instance, a man wanting to sound like a woman, these are undoubtedly the best voice changing software around for that added fun. Make a choice from the above list and start fooling your friends with that newly changed voice.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
PitchBox is a small software application for transforming your voice or music in real-time.
PitchBox was developed for shows and exhibitions, and was hence tuned for that purpose. As such, most of the efforts have been done in proposing ear-catching and attractive audio effects, and on reducing the latency as much as possible. On the other hand, fewer efforts have been done in making it easy to install and setup, or in the amount of features it provides.
If you want to use the audio effects of PitchBox within an audio editor, most of them are available as LADSPA and VST plugins.
- Windows 98 or greater
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 5 or greater. The latest JRE can be downloaded at http://www.java.com (it's free!)
- Optional but strongly recommended for low latency: A sound card with a native ASIO driver, or the generic ASIO4ALL driver.
- Kernel 2.6 or greater
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 5 or greater. The latest JRE can be downloaded at http://www.java.com (it's free!)
- Ubuntu users: the JRE is best installed using the synaptic package manager
- As of writing this page, gcj still has some problems with PitchBox. Use the Sun JVM or the OpenJRE instead if possible.
PitchBox should run on any other system for which the Java Runtime Environment version 5 or greater is available (Mac OS X, Solaris, etc). However, audio is recorded and played using JavaSound rather than using a native library, and hence you may not be able to achieve low latencies.
PitchBox.zip (2.32MB, version 2.0.2)
Warning PitchBox is not easy to setup, especially for real-time voice transformation. It requires understanding of the Larsen effect, and knowledge of audio and microphone setup in general. Please carefully read the advices in the Installation and Setup section below.If the JRE is properly installed (see requirements), you should be able to start PitchBox just by double-clicking on the PitchBox.jar file, or by using the context-menu 'open with..' and choosing the Java runtime. In the application,
- Click on the 'Audio In' check box to transform audio from any audio input (microphone, line-in) in real-time
- Click on the 'File' check box to open and transform audio from a music file (.mp3, .wav, etc)
- Choose the effect you want in the 'Audio effect' panel. 'Normal' is the default one and plays the audio unmodified
- Depending on the effect, you can modify additional parameters in the 'Controls' panel while the audio is being processed
When 'Audio In' is selected, PitchBox transforms audio in real-time from the default audio input port. It will not automatically select the microphone input, or let you choose the audio input to use. It will also not adjust the volume automatically.
Real-time Microphone Effects
Hence, you have to manually choose and setup the correct audio input port (microphone, line-in) using the setup tools of your operating system or sound card.
- On Windows, this is usually found in menu 'Start/Settings/Control Panel/Sound', then by choosing the 'recording' tab.
- On Linux, this is usually done using the 'alsamixer' command-line, or any graphical tool based on it. On Ubuntu you can usually open it by clicking on the loudspeaker icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- The recording level should be adjusted such that the level-meter in PitchBox (top center of the window) goes to about 3/4 when speaking. If it results in a too loud or too soft sound, then adjust the playback volume.
- Never use the 'stereo mix' input port with PitchBox (or with any record->process->play application)
- Most audio input ports (microphone, line-in) sometimes also appear in the 'Playback' tab. Usually, the levels must be left to minimum (or mute) here, because they correspond to the 'monitor' level, which is played unmodified and without going through the audio applications.
When trying to transform your voice from the microphone, audio feedback (high frequency loud tones, known as Larsen effect) may occur, especially when using the build-in microphone of most today's laptops.
Audio feedback occurs because the microphone records some sound, which is transformed, amplified and played to the loudspeaker a few milliseconds afterwards. This amplified sound is recorded itself again by the microphone, and then transformed, amplified and played again, and this loop continues again and again. You get the picture.
Audio feedback cannot be prevented by the application, and may occur in any system with a real-time record->amplify->play loop. A few hints to prevent audio feedback:
- Reduce the playback volume. In general, as soon as the microphone re-records the amplified sounds at a lower volume than the original ones, audio feedback disappears. You may still get echoes or resonances if the volume is too close to the critical level.
- Use headphones for playback.
- Use a directional microphone (aka uni-directional, supercardioid or cardioid) instead of an omni-directional one (most built-in laptop's microphones are omni-directional). Then make sure the microphone does not point in the direction of the loudspeakers. Ideally, the loudspeakers must be behind the microphone.
- Place the microphone as far as possible from the loudspeakers
With some effects, you may notice that the transformed voice is not played immediately, but about 1/4 seconds after you speak, which is annoying, isn't it? This small delay is named latency, and is caused by several factors. Furthermore, it depends on the effect itself. PitchBox has been designed to allow most effects to run at low latencies, by following the advices below:
Within PitchBox,
- set the mode to Voice for effects that have a 'mode' parameter. Note that while the voice mode achieves the lowest latency, it also has the lowest quality. When processing a file, you should set the mode to music to get the highest quality.
- click on the 'Settings' button, and
- reduce the 'block size' parameter. Lower values decrease the latency, but also need more CPU power and accuracy from the operating system. With too low values you will begin to hear clicks, buzz-like sounds, or the processing may simply stop with an error. You may need several tries before finding the lowest value that works on your system.
- change the 'buffers' parameter (Linux only)
- change the 'sample rate' (some sound cards do not support 44100 or 48000Hz natively, and the driver does a software resampling that may add latency)
On Windows there is only one additional, but strong recommendation: use a sound card that has native ASIO support, or use the generic ASIO4ALL driver (see requirements). Without ASIO, the latency will remain very high regardless of how you change the settings of PitchBox.
On Linux, the application attempts to run at real-time priority, which significantly helps in achieving low latencies. However, some distributions such as Ubuntu do not allow applications launched by a non-root user to switch to real-time priority by default. In that case:
- Create a new group named 'audio' (if not already present), and add your account (or the account from which PitchBox is launched) to this group
- Edit the file /etc/security/limits.d (you need to do this with root privileges) and add the following lines at the end of the file:
@audio - rtprio 99
@audio - nice -10 - Reboot
With laptops in general, there are usually power scheme choices such as 'high performance', 'power saver', etc. In that case, it may help to choose something like 'high performance' or similar rather than 'power saver'.
On 'good systems' and with proper settings, you should be able to get a total latency
- below 10ms for 'Normal', 'Flanger', 'Graphic Eq', 'Detune', 'Miserablize', 'Distort', 'Zombify'
- below 20ms for 'Echo', 'Pitch Shift', 'Whisperize', 'Ghost Dance', 'Thor', 'Vocoder' in Voice mode
- below 30ms for 'Robotize', 'Water', 'Octaver', 'PitchScrew' in Voice mode, and 'Pitch Shift', 'Thor', 'Vocoder' in Mixed mode
This happens if you computer is too slow to process audio with the chosen effect and buffer size settings. As each effect has different requirements in terms of CPU power, this error may only show up for some effects. Also note that you may sometimes hear a lot of clicks or a buzz-like sound, sign that the computer is too slow as well, without the message appearing.
If this occurs, here's a few hints:
- Click on 'Settings', and try
- increasing the buffer size
- increasing the buffers (Linux only)
- setting the 'Mode' to 'Mixed mono' instead of 'Stereo'
- If you use a laptop, check that the power scheme (if any) is set to 'high performance' (or similar) rather than 'power saver' (or similar)
- If your CPU is less than 1Ghz, there may not be a solution. Some effects just require a lot of CPU.
This happens if the settings are not supported by your sound card driver or by the operating system.
The simplest solution is to click on the 'Settings' button, and then on 'Reset' and 'OK' in the settings dialog box. This restores the default audio device settings, which are compatible with almost all systems.
Alternatively, click on the 'Settings' button, and then change the following in the settings dialog box:
- Unless you are working on Windows with a sound card that has native ASIO support, set 'Rec. chan' and 'Play chan' to 0. Any other value is unlikely to work.
- Try changing the 'Buffer size' parameter. Most drivers do not support the lowest or highest values. Values around 1024 should be supported on most systems.
- Try changing the 'Sample rate' or 'Buffers' parameters (although this is unlikely to make a change)
- When transforming voice in real-time, check that the driver for your sound card actually supports recording and full-duplex (recording and playing at the same time). This may not be the case on Linux, especially with recent sound cards. If not supported, you can only transform audio from music files.
- Click on the current effect button again to restart processing.
- Make sure you have checked 'Audio in', or you have checked 'File' and chosen an audio file
- If an error is displayed, see the sections above
- If the level meter of PitchBox (top center of the window) is animated when processing from a music file and you still hear nothing, I'm afraid the problem is not due to PitchBox, but to the audio setup of your system. Welcome to the messy world of computer audio!