Seasoned Micro Pitch Shift users advice requested

[mentoneman]

1) What is your favorite recorded micro pitch shift example?

2) What microptich device gave you the best results?

Eventide pedals sound nice--I've used my H9 and the dedicated micropitch pedal--and my Yamaha Magic Stomp has the Pitch Shift C preset, but rack units sound best to me. Still waiting for one of the undisputed kings, my Eventide H3000 SE, to be fixed so i can integrate it into my wdw rig. Currently using a Yamaha SPX 900 but i think i suck at dialing in that sound.

2) What are the settings you prefer?

I'm asking because I haven't found a sound that floors me. Only recently became more interested in the whole micropitch thing. I had the digitech IPS 33 in my rack for a bit and although quirky and limited (mono input that's easy to clip, no built in delay) it has a warm and relatively smooth musical sound:


ultimate rack!


Leon Todd did a nice shootout of different pitch shift gear but didn't detail settings.


Multiple settings abound on the net. some I've seen are:

Landau = +13/4ms | -11/9ms

Womanizer = +8/60ms | -8/30ms

EVH = +9/0ms | -9/ 25ms

This guy gets what i consider a cool pitch shifted rock tone using his boss harmonizer and adds 398ms/798ms stereo delays in his DAW with his VH inspired wdw setup, if you are into that kind of sound:

 

[Dave L]

Predictably enough the H3000 sounds best of what I´ve tried, especially on dirty stuff I dig it a lot more than, say, the SPX90. But then again I´ve had the H3000 for fifteen years and sort of stopped looking.

To my ears the mix is the absolutely crucial thing with detune, there´s just a razor line between "is this thing on?" and it destroying your core sound and that overrides much of what the exact preset is. Much less leeway than with chorusing, for whatever reason. I could never use some of the extreme wetness you hear from those 80s and 90s tracks, at least not on distorted tones, even if I love those records.

With that said, I like the pitch slightly on the wider side to get the feel of slightly more effect without dialing up the mix; somewhere between +/- 8 and 13 rather than +/- 5, much like the examples you have there. But as mentioned I Iike my detune (fairly) subtle and always-on to thicken up the sound, for more obvious FX I put on a chorus or a flanger or something instead.

I also don´t like zeroing out the delay on one side, like the famous H3000 stock preset does. Gives it a notchier quality that I don´t like.

 

[Shask]

I was looking at the Eventide Micro Pitchshift pedal last night, wondering if it could do this as well as the racks.

 

[harddriver]

I have not used a rack effect for my detune so I can comment on how those compare. I have used Boss PS-5's before I got my Eventide Pitchfactor. The Boss pedals work well but the the Eventide's quality of detune and micro pitch is superior. I would venture to say the Pitchfactor might be a step above the micropitch pedal plus it has H910 H949 detune and H3000 micropitch that the micropitch pedal doesn't have. Also the Pitchfactor can take a mono signal input and splits them to stereo Left and Right for W/D/W. Since I have not played actual Eventide rack systems to compare I would like to think the Pitchfactor is right up there in sound quality. What I don't like about the Micropitch pedal is you cannot set exact numerical increments like the Pitchfactor so you are approximating the setting by ear.

Here are some favorite settings I use on mine. It usually depends on how I hear things that day, if i want it more subtle or more intense whether or not I tweak them but all of these are solid tones. The detune settings for 5150 OU812 almost get into micropitch territory.

An nice subtle detune with some nice subtle chorus swirl to it is:

H910
Mix 50%
Pitch mix A-10 B-10
Pitch A .998
Pitch B 1.002
Delay A 3 ms
Delay B 6 ms
Volume level -2 Db

More Swirl:
H910
MIx 50%
Pitch mix A-10 B-10
Pitch A .996
Pitch B 1.004
Delay A 3 ms
Delay B 6 ms
Volume Level -2 Db

 

[mentoneman]

Predictably enough the H3000 sounds best of what I´ve tried, especially on dirty stuff I dig it a lot more than, say, the SPX90. But then again I´ve had the H3000 for fifteen years and sort of stopped looking.

To my ears the mix is the absolutely crucial thing with detune, there´s just a razor line between "is this thing on?" and it destroying your core sound and that overrides much of what the exact preset is. Much less leeway than with chorusing, for whatever reason. I could never use some of the extreme wetness you hear from those 80s and 90s tracks, at least not on distorted tones, even if I love those records.

With that said, I like the pitch slightly on the wider side to get the feel of slightly more effect without dialing up the mix; somewhere between +/- 8 and 13 rather than +/- 5, much like the examples you have there. But as mentioned I Iike my detune (fairly) subtle and always-on to thicken up the sound, for more obvious FX I put on a chorus or a flanger or something instead.

I also don´t like zeroing out the delay on one side, like the famous H3000 stock preset does. Gives it a notchier quality that I don´t like.

good points! there was a time when i was very much opposed to the micropitch shift thing because i perceived it as thinning out tone ala old v new VH tones.

i also agree with the wider settings and a fine line between happy interesting and sad thin tone!

 

[mentoneman]

I was looking at the Eventide Micro Pitchshift pedal last night, wondering if it could do this as well as the racks.

it’s affordable, sounds good and is drop dead easy to use with presets that get you well on your way.

however i’m a glutton for punishment and willing to wrestle with the rack stuff for the added headroom and depth that likely 99.9% of the planet wouldn’t care about.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to describe it from the technical point of view, but I recently wired up my cheapo old SPX90 again and it sounds pretty cool for both pitch and chorus - until I switch over to one of the big Eventides instead. They just sound so much wider and deeper even if the mix is the same. Never tried all those more modern pedals, though.

 

[mentoneman]

I have not used a rack effect for my detune so I can comment on how those compare. I have used Boss PS-5's before I got my Eventide Pitchfactor. The Boss pedals work well but the the Eventide's quality of detune and micro pitch is superior. I would venture to say the Pitchfactor might be a step above the micropitch pedal plus it has H910 H949 detune and H3000 micropitch that the micropitch pedal doesn't have. Also the Pitchfactor can take a mono signal input and splits them to stereo Left and Right for W/D/W. Since I have not played actual Eventide rack systems to compare I would like to think the Pitchfactor is right up there in sound quality. What I don't like about the Micropitch pedal is you cannot set exact numerical increments like the Pitchfactor so you are approximating the setting by ear.

Here are some favorite settings I use on mine. It usually depends on how I hear things that day, if i want it more subtle or more intense whether or not I tweak them but all of these are solid tones. The detune settings for 5150 OU812 almost get into micropitch territory.

An nice subtle detune with some nice subtle chorus swirl to it is:

H910
Mix 50%
Pitch mix A-10 B-10
Pitch A .998
Pitch B 1.002
Delay A 3 ms
Delay B 6 ms
Volume level -2 Db

More Swirl:
H910
MIx 50%
Pitch mix A-10 B-10
Pitch A .996
Pitch B 1.004
Delay A 3 ms
Delay B 6 ms
Volume Level -2 Db

thank you for that detailed response! it would be interesting to hear a shootout between the pitchfactor and micropitch pedals. add the H9 and H90 in while we’re at it!

i also find the actual numbers way more useful than that percentage scale. i can confirm that there is a serious chasm between the experience of playing through the big rack H series or Eclipse and the H9. and my friend’s Tricera pedal sounds better to me and nicer feel to play through than the Tricera algos in the H9.

BUT,

when listening back to guitar tracks using these things the differences become much more subtle. be biggest difference is playing feel and resolution in the room.

i recorded a quick run through of my 2 UA Lion clean/dirty sounds which sorta turned into a rabbit trail using the clean tone and demoing the H9 presets i have loaded in the pedal.

 

[mentoneman]

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to describe it from the technical point of view, but I recently wired up my cheapo old SPX90 again and it sounds pretty cool for both pitch and chorus - until I switch over to one of the big Eventides instead. They just sound so much wider and deeper even if the mix is the same. Never tried all those more modern pedals, though.

this is a cool history regarding the components behind the legendary sound of the H3000 rack box

 

[M@ttC3]

I was looking at the Eventide Micro Pitchshift pedal last night, wondering if it could do this as well as the racks.

I have one and use it for all my 80's stuff.

I can't compare it to a real H3000, but as a pedal it's really good in mono (kinda like what @Dave L said the mix is SO hard to get juuust right), and it's KILLER in stereo.

Unfortunately I run mono as stereo is completel overkill for the average bar gig.

 

[mentoneman]

i’ve always been intrigued by the tone/texture on the opening lick of this song, which has a micropitch shift + ambient delay metal kinda vibe to really make it bite in a comb filter/notched purposeful metal way. Anyone know the gear used?




wolf has a similar texture going on here with way more high gain but i love it because it sounds like he knows exactly what he’s doing and why.




even though i favor his early sound, i think evh’s micropitch tones are attractive to me overall due to it having the wdw center dry core more prominent with a bit less gain



and although this is spx symphonic it still falls into a similar category to my ears

 

[stratjacket]

I’ve had an H9 on my board with an always on micropitch for the last ~12 years. I have a few presets of +/-9c or +/-11c and a few different mix levels. It’s a subtle thickening sound but can tell when it’s not on for sure.

I sold it once in 2016 thinking it was a waste since I only used micropitch, but quickly found out I missed it and bought a pair of H9’s. Works so good I’ve never wanted to replace it.
I have the H90 too but use it for other effects.

 

[Philhouse]

Cool thread. It's fun to mix it up with different settings/flavours. I've even found smaller numbers +/- 6 can sound cool with playing with a heavier tone as it's not so obvious anymore, just a very subtle widening that you really notice when it's off and totally dry again.

My usual is: SPX90 #23 'Pitch Change C' with [ +8/3ms & -11/9ms ]

I have a Rocktron Intellifex in the rack also, but I tend to prefer the SPX90's sounds.

Keen to try out some other settings you guys suggest here.

 

[mentoneman]

I’ve had an H9 on my board with an always on micropitch for the last ~12 years. I have a few presets of +/-9c or +/-11c and a few different mix levels. It’s a subtle thickening sound but can tell when it’s not on for sure.

I sold it once in 2016 thinking it was a waste since I only used micropitch, but quickly found out I missed it and bought a pair of H9’s. Works so good I’ve never wanted to replace it.
I have the H90 too but use it for other effects.

the H9 is sophisticated sounding and very powerful. it’s great you found what works for your rig.

the drawback i find in using it is what it does to my core tone and feel. that is something i would likely only perceive as a player looking for that latent digital artifact coming from a lifetime of analog gear. the audience and most players wouldn’t know or care.

but just as it is in the purely digital modeling realm, each digital device or component you add to your digital chain adds one more layer to the digital condom and removes you one step further from the raw dog plug straight in immediacy.

 

[BenoA]

Thanks for sharing this. Cool informations

 

[Shask]

I pulled out a Digitech Luxe pedal I have tonight that I forgot I had, lol. It is a fun pedal for this type of thing, but not in stereo.

 

[Shask]

Cool thread. It's fun to mix it up with different settings/flavours. I've even found smaller numbers +/- 6 can sound cool with playing with a heavier tone as it's not so obvious anymore, just a very subtle widening that you really notice when it's off and totally dry again.

My usual is: SPX90 #23 'Pitch Change C' with [ +8/3ms & -11/9ms ]

I have a Rocktron Intellifex in the rack also, but I tend to prefer the SPX90's sounds.

Keen to try out some other settings you guys suggest here.

I really like the Intellifex, but mostly for Reverb and 8 Voice Chorus. I dont like its Pitch/Detune at all. I think the Replifex does this much better than the Intellifex.

 

[stratjacket]

the H9 is sophisticated sounding and very powerful. it’s great you found what works for your rig.

the drawback i find in using it is what it does to my core tone and feel. that is something i would likely only perceive as a player looking for that latent digital artifact coming from a lifetime of analog gear. the audience and most players wouldn’t know or care.

but just as it is in the purely digital modeling realm, each digital device or component you add to your digital chain adds one more layer to the digital condom and removes you one step further from the raw dog plug straight in immediacy.

Interesting. Does the H3000 feel different to you than an H9 for micro pitch?
I don't know of any or how it could be done, but are there any analog micro pitches? I keep in the effects loop with any other time based effects. From a quick search, looks like it adds 1-2ms of latency.

 

[Code001]

I'm on this journey myself. In terms of rack gear, I've tried:

AxeFx III
PCM81
MPX1
G-Force
G-Major 2
Intellifex
Intellipitch
Multivalve
IPS 33B

The Leon Todd comparison was kinda strange because not all of them sounded equal. H9 and Micropitch pedal sounded especially bad IMO. I got an Eclipse on the way...again. Will see what that's like and go from there. Liked that the most from his demo, too. Sounded the most pure and accurate to what a pitch detune should be.

 

[paulyc]

Predictably enough the H3000 sounds best of what I´ve tried, especially on dirty stuff I dig it a lot more than, say, the SPX90. But then again I´ve had the H3000 for fifteen years and sort of stopped looking.

To my ears the mix is the absolutely crucial thing with detune, there´s just a razor line between "is this thing on?" and it destroying your core sound and that overrides much of what the exact preset is. Much less leeway than with chorusing, for whatever reason. I could never use some of the extreme wetness you hear from those 80s and 90s tracks, at least not on distorted tones, even if I love those records.

With that said, I like the pitch slightly on the wider side to get the feel of slightly more effect without dialing up the mix; somewhere between +/- 8 and 13 rather than +/- 5, much like the examples you have there. But as mentioned I Iike my detune (fairly) subtle and always-on to thicken up the sound, for more obvious FX I put on a chorus or a flanger or something instead.

I also don´t like zeroing out the delay on one side, like the famous H3000 stock preset does. Gives it a notchier quality that I don´t like.

I think that’s the whole impetus for W/D/W ?