Changing a song key electronically

[Duane Becker]

I'm not sure this is the correct area to place my question, nor am I sure how to word the subject.
But say I have a song on YouTube that I want to play along with and its in the key of A, band that I'm in wants to play it in Bb, for example. Is there a program that allows me to change the key of the mp3 song in A to Bb?

[Jon Light (deceased)]

Yes. I do this all the time with Audacity.

[Douglas Schuch]

To use Audacity, I think you need to download the song to your computer and import it into Audacity. However, if you use either Chrome or Edge (possibly other browsers - I don't know) there is an Extension called TRANSPOSE that can change the pitch of the song on the fly IN YOUTUBE. You can change by half step, or if it is not in 440 or whatever tuning standard you use, you can shift it up or down Within a 1/2 step range. You can also control the speed. Great little app!

[Jon Light (deceased)]

To use Audacity, I think you need to download the song to your computer and import it into Audacity. However, if you use either Chrome or Edge (possibly other browsers - I don't know) there is an Extension called TRANSPOSE that can change the pitch of the song on the fly IN YOUTUBE. You can change by half step, or if it is not in 440 or whatever tuning standard you use, you can shift it up or down Within a 1/2 step range. You can also control the speed. Great little app!

Yes, that is correct. I do any and all audio work for gig prep on my computer, downloading/converting Youtubes to mp3's and opening and manipulating them in Audacity.

[Walter Killam]

I record the YouTube playback with audacity, select all in audacity, change the key, trim the beginning and end then export as mp3. No download required.

[Tony Prior]

As others above had said, and just to be clear, you can't change the key listening on YouTube, it must be either downloaded or RECORDED from YouTube then that music file ( MP3) needs to be placed into Audacity or whatever music program you may have. The key is changed in THAT program. More often than not, once the track (song) is placed into a music program you can also slow it down or speed it up. If you don't have Audacity, its a free download and very easy to navigate.


Have fun !

[Duane Becker]

Thanks to all for your replies, this really helps, I downloaded Audacity, and it worked great. I also ran across a program called "Pitch Switch", that looks good too.

[Jon Light (deceased)]

Great.

For pitch shift, you discover the limits of what your ears can handle when you want to shed a set list for a pickup gig that calls for a classic tune that everybody does in G but the new band does in C. Audacity does a great job. But I don't know if you really want to hear Hag's voice transposed up a 4th or down a 5th. I do it anyway because it's a great practice tool. But gaaa.

[Steve Rosko]

The band I’m in rarely does songs in the original key. I use a program called Song Surgeon. It will shift the key, but also adjust the vocals so they don’t sound like Mickey Mouse. It will also change speed and I can create loops for learning or practicing a particular part. It displays chords, tempo, duration, etc and I can make practice play lists. it’s a little pricey, but I use it virtually every day. You do need to have the song file on your computer though.

[Mike Neer]

Band In A Box is great for this because you can just write up a quick chord chart and insert it into a new tune and find the correct styles to play along with. If you’re good with figuring out changes or you have access to sheet music, this the best option.

[Jon Light (deceased)]

The band I’m in rarely does songs in the original key. I use a program called Song Surgeon. It will shift the key, but also adjust the vocals so they don’t sound like Mickey Mouse. It will also change speed and I can create loops for learning or practicing a particular part. It displays chords, tempo, duration, etc and I can make practice play lists. it’s a little pricey, but I use it virtually every day. You do need to have the song file on your computer though.

That really sounds like a cool program. I looked in on it and you're not kidding about pricey -- $80-100 depending on whether 'standard' or 'pro' which I didn't take the time to break down.
For my needs & usage, modest and occasional, I'll stick with what I'm doing. But it's good to know of a program as powerful as you describe.

[Tommy Mc]

I have used Audacity for years and haven't felt the need to try (and learn) other programs. In addition to changing the key, you can slow things down with or without changing pitch. Being to see the waveform of the song makes it easy to select small sections (intro licks, etc), slow and loop them. It's a great learning and practice tool, and you can't beat the (free) price,

[Brett Lanier]

One thing you can do to help it sound more natural after pitching a track up or down is the compensate in the opposite direction with a formant control.

So for example, if you used a pitch plugin to lower a track by a whole step, then apply a plugin with formant control (soundtoys little alter boy is what i use), and dial the format control up one whole step. But like Jon said there are still limits to this. It’ll just bring the tone and timbre back closer to how it sounded in the original key.

[Ron Forrest]

I use the Transpose Chrome Extension. Works wiht Youtube or any other video that you can play in the browser.


https://transpose.video/