Transcription Software Amazing Slow Downer & Transcribe! Rick Lollar Amazing Slow Downer & Transcribe! Rick Lollar

What is transcription? Listening to recorded music Writing it out in notation and/or learning it on one’s instrument Listening to recorded music Writing it out in notation and/or learning it on one’s instrument

Why transcribe? Build vocabulary and gain command of musical language Oral tradition - Jazz, American popular styles, indigenous musics Ear training Build vocabulary and gain command of musical language Oral tradition - Jazz, American popular styles, indigenous musics Ear training

In the old days… Transcribing music at tempo can be difficult Early method of slowing recordings: set the turntable at half speed Drawback: pitch is an octave lower Transcribing music at tempo can be difficult Early method of slowing recordings: set the turntable at half speed Drawback: pitch is an octave lower

Transcription Software Many programs, same basic function: Change the speed of the music without changing the pitch No computer program that transcribes automatically Not concerned with MIDI which has pitch and rhythm info encoded, just digital audio files Amazing Slow Downer Transcribe! Many programs, same basic function: Change the speed of the music without changing the pitch No computer program that transcribes automatically Not concerned with MIDI which has pitch and rhythm info encoded, just digital audio files Amazing Slow Downer Transcribe!

Amazing Slow Downer Interface EQ Loop control Transport Speed and Pitch Track list

ASD: Pros and Cons Good stuff Simple to use Works on CDs and digital audio files in real time Not so good Interface not visually intuitive Few advanced features Cheesy name Good stuff Simple to use Works on CDs and digital audio files in real time Not so good Interface not visually intuitive Few advanced features Cheesy name

Transcribe! Interface

Transcribe! Features Visual interface Basic pitch, speed, looping, EQ controls Pitch spectrum analysis Markers and text annotations Video compatible Supports foot pedal control Visual interface Basic pitch, speed, looping, EQ controls Pitch spectrum analysis Markers and text annotations Video compatible Supports foot pedal control

Transcribe!: Pros and Cons Good stuff Visual interface Extremely robust Tons of advanced features Excellent sound quality Not so good More complicated than ASD Good stuff Visual interface Extremely robust Tons of advanced features Excellent sound quality Not so good More complicated than ASD

Bottom Line Both programs ease the transcription process greatly Transcribe! is more powerful and visual interface is a big plus Amazing Slow Downer is simpler to use, especially if one doesn’t need advanced features Both programs ease the transcription process greatly Transcribe! is more powerful and visual interface is a big plus Amazing Slow Downer is simpler to use, especially if one doesn’t need advanced features