Just how good is your time stretch ? Lets find out !

[EdRyan]

Right then. After reading the Freemasons interview on the blog, it got me thinking about time-stretching. I'm currently working on a track with a heavily time stretched sample (89 to 128 BPM) and it had me curious about which time-stretch I have access to will give me the best results.

So I've started a little test. So far it's between Logic9 Vs Record vs Live8. But I'd like to expand...so anyone using Cubase, Protools, Sonar, Traktion, Digital Performer, Reaper etc... please get in touch if you want to join in. I will send you the file, you stretch it and then I test it the same way I have tested the 3 so far. We'll post up things like an FFT of a null test and screenshots of files stretched to the same tempo to see which ones show more pre-ringing and other nasties. Maybe even audio examples, providing we can somehow not get in trouble. I think that copyright allows use of protected material for comparison and education, so we should be ok as long as we only use short-ish samples, credit the artist and put a link to buy the track etc.

So far, Logic has lost out in a bad, bad way. Details of my findings so far will be posted later when I have time.

Something else I've found out. Rewire is not concrete sample accurate! Whilst conducting a null test between Logic9 and Record, I found that if playback started from any other position then 1.1.1.1....I would get a high passed version of the signal bleeding from the main output. For anyone into DSP, you will know that a sample delay can act as an EQ.. So for people working with Rewire, be careful because this will clearly effect some of your mix decisions. Check and check your mixes again !

[tyronehowe]

Interesting idea Ed!

Shame that your results are already showing that Logic 9 is bad!

I've purchased the Steve H video on flex time and the results sounded pretty usable to my ears - but it was only at audio from a downloaded video, so not the best source to judge from.

[EdRyan]

Well so far, we have the following to test:

Protools LE.
M-Audio X-Form for Protools.
Steinberg Nuendo.
Bias Peak Pro.
Logic Pro 9.
Izotope Radius For Logic (which is the same process as X-form. Lets see how they fare against each other).
Ableton Live 8.
Propellerheads Record.

I'm hoping Mr Sureno will join in and Melodyne DNA will be added to the list.

So the major stuff is covered. It'd be nice to get Sonar and Traktion etc.
Older processors like Serato Pitch N Time are welcome if anyone still has them, or knows someone with them willing to join in.

Tyrone: Logic's stretching is okay to a point, but quickly fades in comparison to others when the stretching gets a bit extreme..

[sureno]

havent you got any music to be getting on with

[EdRyan]

I'm a technician, not a musician.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by EdRyan

I'm a technician, not a musician.

yes, iv gathered that now

[EdRyan]

Right. Well my plans are being scuppered by Ableton's lack of Technical Support regarding 2 issues. One in particular in regards to this thread.

It appears that Live 8 does not maintain the accuracy of warped points during the bounce process. I corrected the track at 1/4 beat level. Upon bouncing the track into Logic (and back into Live) it became clear from the waveform that Live had got the bounce wrong. 1 week and 3 days later, I am still waiting for a reply

Similarly, I contacted Props to ask them to confirm the issue with the Rewire protocol (ie random delays with Record wired to Logic, constant delay with Live wired to Logic etc). Still waiting on that as well. Although my last technical issue was dealt with an unfriendly UK distributor (who insisted I needed a valid serial to contact them again. Well I contacted them via the Props website, which requires you to register a valid serial to get support in the first place), so I doubt they have enough knowledge of Rewire to handle my question.

It's amazing these things never crop up in the PR, do they

[tyronehowe]

Customer service does indeed seem to be lacking these days – maybe margins are just too tight.

I have an outstanding issue with Native Instruments – several of my libraries have become un-activated and have been unusable for 4 days now. Every single email exchange with NI takes a full day.

The only companies that stand out above the others for me are Spectrasonics, ToneHammer and definitely VSL.

[EdRyan]

I joined the Ableton forum and posted there...no joy.

Live might me leaving again. I hate having products that the devs are poor at supporting customers at. Apple being the obvs exception. They keep public contact minimal on everything Logic.

[Khazul]

I can run it through Live 8 and Record and can probably find a way to get it through NI Tracktor pro.

[EdRyan]

I have live8 and Record as well, so no need for them. Traktor would be cool.

Stopping me though, is the timing drift on the file I wanted to test. It is .10 off the whole bpm it should have been. No bother then. I used Live to correct it. Reason being that when I use things Like Logic's offline timestretch...I wanted the timing to be accurate. That way, comparing the waveforms is more accurate and easy.

When bouncing the corrected version from Live though, the timing seems to go to shot again. I have asked ableton about this, and no repppply. This is why I'm getting narked with Live...