Elastic Audio

Elastic Audio provides track-based Real-Time and Rendered Time Compression and Expansion (TCE) and clip-based pitch shifting (transposition). Elastic Audio uses exceptionally high-quality transient detection algorithms, beat and tempo analysis, and real-time TCE and pitch shifting processing algorithms. Elastic Audio lets you quickly and easily transpose the pitch of audio clips and tempo conform (beat match) audio to the project’s Tempo map. It also provides an unprecedented degree of control over transient detection and TCE processing on an event-by-event basis.

With Elastic Audio, Pro Tools | First analyzes entire audio files for transient events. For example, an event can be a drum hit, a sung note, or chord played by a guitar. These detected events can then serve as control points for warping the audio. Pro Tools | First can warp (TCE) audio events automatically, such as automatically conforming audio to the project tempo or quantizing audio events, or you can warp audio manually using standard editing tools in Warp view.

Elastic Audio is useful in several common workflows: working with loops, correcting performances, remixing, sound design and special effects, and film scoring.

If you work with loops, Elastic Audio lets you preview your loops in Workspace browsers at their native tempo (BPM) or at the project tempo (BPM). You can even preview the loop while the project is playing back. When you find the loop you like, drag it from the browser and drop it into the project. The loop automatically conforms to the project tempo map and Bar|Beat grid. You can then further manipulate its timing and also transpose the clip to match the pitch of other loops in your project.

Elastic Audio lets you quantize audio to tighten up a performance or even manually re-align that one note that was played just a little late. Or, you might decide that the performance is excellent, but just a little under tempo. Tick-based Elastic Audio automatically warps audio to conform to tempo changes. When you change your tracks to tick-based and increase the project tempo, the audio automatically time compresses to match.

Elastic Audio lets you quickly beat match an entire song to the project tempo and Bar|Beat grid. You can also transpose clips to match pitch.

Use Elastic Audio to achieve special effects with extreme or widely variable TCE or pitch manipulation. Use the Varispeed algorithm to achieve tape-like effects for speed and pitch change.

Remember, when using tempo adjustments for projects that include multiple cues, tempo changes may affect the timecode position of other cues later on the Timeline.