Pitch block

Contents
1 Available on which products
2 Channels or X/Y switching
3 Pitch types and effects
3.1 Chromatic : Dual / Quad)
3.2 Diatonic: Dual / Quad
3.3 Octaver
3.4 Detune (micropitch)
3.5 Whammy
3.6 Drop-tuning and virtual capo
3.7 Dive bomb
3.8 Stepped Auto Tune effect
3.9 Crystal Echoes
3.10 Multiple harmonies
3.11 Simulate a 12-string guitar
3.12 Custom scales
4 Position of the Pitch block on the grid
5 Pitch block in firmware Ares
6 Pitch shifting, CPU usage and latency
7 Learn mode
8 Note display
9 Parameters
9.1 Parameters table (per type)
9.2 Pitch tracking: Poly or Mono
9.3 Pitch source: Global or Local
9.4 Feedback
9.5 Low Cut, High Cut
9.6 Voices
9.7 Temperament
10 More information
10.1 Harmony scales
10.2 Wikipedia

Available on which products

Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
FM3: 1 block
Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
AX8: 1 block
FX8: 1 block
Channels or X/Y switching
Axe-Fx III and FM3: 2 channels
Axe-Fx II: X/Y
AX8: X/Y
FX8: X/Y

Pitch types and effects

The Pitch block in the Axe-Fx 3 and FM3 has its own pitch detector, separate from the internal Pitch controller.
Pitch detection is improved in the Axe-Fx III and FM3, and the number of voices has been increased to 4.

(FM3) "Pitch block functionality will be identical. The only potential differences may relate to
pitch detection since that functionality is actually outside of the Pitch block and is still being ironed
out." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm3-hot-questions-and-hopefully-answers.149
968/page-20#post-1785725)

Pitch types in the Axe-Fx III and FM3 are:

Dual Detune
Quad Detune
Dual Chromatic
Quad Chromatic
Dual Diatonic
Quad Diatonic
Classic Whammy
Octave Divider
Crystal Echoes
Advanced Whammy
Arpeggiator
Custom Shifter
Quad Chromatic Delay
Quad Diatonic Delay
Virtual Capo

Chromatic : Dual / Quad)

Firmware Ares replaces the Fixed Harmony mode on the Axe-Fx II with:

Dual Chromatic (2 voices). Previously: Dual Shift

Quad Chromatic (4 voices). Previously: Quad Shift

Note that Quad Chromatic doesn’t have Feedback parameters.

Ola Englund demonstrates pitch harmony with a pedal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vccabyl5LE)

Diatonic: Dual / Quad
Firmware Ares replaces the Intelligent Harmony mode on the Axe-Fx II with:

Dual Diatonic (2 voices). Previously: Dual Harmony

Quad Diatonic (4 voices). Previously: Quad Harmony

Octaver
The processors offer several ways to create an Octaver effect (octave down):

Pitch block: fixed shifted pitch, 1 octave down

Pitch block: Octave Divider type
Ring Modulator block in Tracking mode.

The results sound different. The Octave Divider sounds slightly like a synth, where a fixed harmony adds
identical lower or higher harmony notes at fixed intervals. The Ring Modulator sounds vintage.

Detune (micropitch)
Pitch detuning is a great alternative to a chorus, without the "swirl" associated with 80's chorus tone. Use it in
stereo for a very wide effect. Van Halen's sound on the Balance album is well-known example of stereo pitch
detuning.

1. Detune up and down the same amount, between +/-5 and +/-10
2. Delay the voices for more width (i.e. 7 ms)
3. Set mix at 25% or lower
4. Put the block after the Amp block but before the stereo Cab block
5. Pan the voices for a wide stereo effect

Try running a Chorus block before or after the Pitch block for a more intense effect.

Beware of Phase cancellation when running mono.

Firmware Ares has two Detune modes:

Dual Detune (2 voices)

Quad Detune (4 voices)

The Multitap Delay block in firmware Ares is also capable of multi-voice detuning.

Whammy
Use the Classic Whammy pitch type, and attach a pedal to the Control parameter.

Use Auto-Engage in the modifier menu to automatically engage the Pitch block.
You can engage a Whammy on the fly without using Auto-Engage ("Golden Whammy", M@'s idea, source (htt
p://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/how-to-bring-in-a-whammy-without-auto-engage.72433/)):

1. Put a Pitch block in line, set to Classic Whammy. Source: Global. Bypass Mode: Thru
2. Assign the Control parameter to your pedal's external controller
3. Assign the same external controller to the Mix parameter. Set Mix at zero. Modifier menu: Min 100, Max
0, Start 60.1, Mid 0, End 49.8, Slope 100, Scale 10, Offset -100
4. Make sure the Pitch block is engaged and save the preset

Demo of the Whammy settings above (http://www.youtube.com/watch?t=17&v=_zPJhoIINos)

Tip: increase the Scale parameter in the modifier menu to create some "flat" space at the top, so the octave
arrives earlier and stays put.

Decrease the max frequency of the pitch-shifted voice to 5 kHz, or even much lower, to make it less "digital"
and less thin.

(about the original Whammy pedal) "I would venture to guess that the pedal sample rate is low, like
maybe 11 kHz. This limits the frequency response to 5K. Higher sampling rates mean more
processing power which means more expensive DSP. These things were designed to be
inexpensive." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-1-19-public-beta.1
44260/page-3#post-1706880)

Or use this trick (by forum member Moke):

"Try adding a Filter block right after the Pitch/Whammy block. Use the 'Lowpass' type. Attach the
same controller that you are using for the Whammy control to the 'Frequency' parameter in the
Filter block. Use it to cut the increasing high-end as the pitch is raised. Set it up with a Min
frequency of 20,000 Hz, and a Max of 1000 Hz. All other settings default. Setup both blocks to
Engage at the same time. source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/audio-slave-whammy-ped
al-set-up.158717/post-1896046)

Drop-tuning and virtual capo

AX8, FX8 and Axe-Fx II:

1. Put a Pitch block in series at the start of the grid

2. Set it to Fixed Harmony
3. For a drop of two semitones set one voice to -2
4. Set the other voice's Level to -80 to mute it
5. Set Mix to 100%, Tracking to On, Pitch Track to Poly

You can also use the Advanced Whammy mode in the Pitch block. Sounds and works the same but a little easier
to to configure.

If you can't stand the latency:

lower Tracking, or
try Simeon's ADSR trick, explained here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/57165-how-r
educe-latency-down-shifted-patches.html) and here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-recordings/7
 2204-fas-modern-ii-pitch-shift-block-5-semitones.html#post884487)

Axe-Fx III:

Use the Virtual Capo mode in the Pitch block (firmware Ares) for drop-tuning as well as virtual capo. Put the
Pitch block in series at the start of the grid.

"This is a simple one-voice pitch shift that is intended for drop-tuning and virtual capo use and is
easy to configure and use."

To maintain the state of the Virtual Capo (engaged or bypassed) throughout scenes changes, assign a Control
Switch to the block's Bypass parameter.

Dive bomb
To simulate an automated "dive bomb" pitch effect:

1. Create a preset with a Pitch block

2. Set Pitch mode to Classic Whammy, Up|Dn 2 Oct., Tracking off, 100% mix
3. Enter the Modifier menu of the Control parameter in the Pitch block. Set Source to one of the externals.
Set Damping to 750, for starters
4. Enter the Modifier menu of the Bypass parameter in the Pitch block. Set Source to the same external
controller as above

On the foot controller:

1. Program a switch to send the external controller's CC

2. The switch can be latching or momentary, whatever works for you

To operate: select the preset. Press the switch (press and hold if it's a momentary switch) for the effect to kick
in. Press again (or release) to stop, and bypass the Pitch block.

You can also use your expression pedal instead of a switch. Use the corresponding external controller.

Instead of a switch, you can also use Auto-Engage.

You can adjust the length of the dive through the Damping parameter, use another Whammy mode, make it
even more dramatic by adding a Flanger, etc.

Bakerman's tip to dive deeper than two octaves: select "Whole Tone" for Harmony. In the modifier menu set
Minimum to 1, and Maximum to the desired drop (try -19). Increase Glide to get rid of the steps.

Stepped Auto Tune effect

1. Select a Diatonic (Harmony) mode
2. Set Mix to 100%
3. Use a single harmony (mute the other(s)) and set it to "1" (unisono)
4. Set Pitch Quantize to "Stepped"
5. Use a low Glide Time value
Crystal Echoes
Smoothen the Crystal Echoes effect by fading in the effect: assign the Envelope Controller to the Input Gain
parameter.

Multiple harmonies
Bakerman explains how to generate 5 harmonies with one guitar and one Axe-Fx II preset (Hotel California) (ht
tp://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/various-presets-tricks.135770)

Simulate a 12-string guitar

To simulate a 12-string guitar:

1. Put the Pitch block between the Amp and Cab blocks
2. Select the Fixed Harmony or Dual Chromatic type
3. Shift one or both voices to +12
4. Increase Detune a little to add realism
5. Set Mix between 20% and 30%

This of course isn't a true simulation, because on a real 12-string the bottom four strings are doubled a full
octave higher, and the two highest strings are doubled (same octave). But it works well.

Custom scales
The "Custom" Pitch type uses the values on the Custom Scales page in the Global menu.

It's important to understand how Custom Scales work. You must (temporarily) transpose the part to the key of
A, and program the custom scales based on that key. After having done that, enter the correct key for the part in
the parameter field.

More explanation (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/custom-harmony-issues.149339/)

AustinBuddy's tutorial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr0dzxRcKIQ&feature=youtu.be)

Position of the Pitch block on the grid

If you want to add harmonies to your main signal, put the Pitch block between the Amp and Cab block for
best results. Alternatively (Axe-Fx only), split the signal into two rows before the Amp block, and put Pitch and
a 2nd Amp block in the other row.

If you want to shift the entire amp signal (100% wet), e.g. to simulate a down-tuned guitar or capo, put Pitch
before the Amp block.

"When going direct, pitch shifting often sounds best when placed BEFORE the Cab block. The
factory presets may have the block doing the shifting (pitch or multidelay) after the Cab block. Try
 moving the pitch before the Cab for smoother results."

"The pitch block basically shifts the entire cab freq. response up/down if it's after cab. A slight
detune might sound about the same either way but with a half step, whole step, etc. the difference
becomes more apparent." (Bakerman)

(M@) "I'll use the harmonizer in front of the amp too -- but it needs to be 100% wet, single voice,
and a dedicated amp. The less you shift distortion, the more natural it sounds." source (https://foru
m.fractalaudio.com/threads/pitch-block.154162/post-1834770)

Pitch block in firmware Ares

Firmware 12.08:

"Improved Intelligent Pitch Shifter algorithm. This applies to all Pitch types except Dual and Quad
Detune or when the Tracking Mode is set to OFF. The pitch detection algorithms have also been
improved. The Tracking Mode parameter has been renamed “Pitch Tracking” and is selectable
between OFF and ON. When Pitch Track is ON the integral pitch detector tracks the pitch of the
input signal and adjusts the pitch shifter for optimal shifting. It is recommended to leave Pitch
Tracking on."

Pitch shifting, CPU usage and latency

The Pitch block in the AX8 and FX8 is very sensitive to CPU usage, even far before the limit is reached. When
using the Whammy mode for example, try to keep CPU usage below 60%. Some Pitch types in the AX8 and
FX8 provide an Economy mode, which offers comparable audio performance but uses less CPU.

"Once the CPU usage crosses a certain threshold (which could happen if you are streaming audio)
the pitch detection will slow down as the global pitch detector necessarily has a lower priority than
the primary audio processing. If you change the Pitch Source to Local then the local pitch detector
runs at the same priority as the audio." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/downtuning-w
ith-pitch-shifter-in-fw15-sound-not-great.87537/#post-1060042)

"Pitch detection has a lower priority than audio processing. If CPU usage is very high the pitch
detectors won't run often". source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/no-fluency-in-whammy.10
9916/#post-1315869)

"The better the pitch shifting, the more the latency. It's a perceptual process. There is no
mathematically perfect way to do it. Also, when you pitch shift, the sound coming from the
speakers doesn't reinforce the strings (since it's at a different frequency) so you don't get sustain and
feedback harmonics." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/urgent-can-ax8-do-convincing-
and-easy-eb-tuning-on-fly.141416/#post-1675668)

"A low E has a period of about 12 ms. This means you have to buffer at least 12 ms to shift
anything from low E and up. To also work with bass then low E is 24 ms."

"Pitch shifting necessarily adds latency. Pitch shifting is a perceptual process. It requires a
reasonable amount of history to work. This adds latency. Typically 20ms and up. Some people are
 more tolerant to latency than others. I've compared the latency of our algorithm to other products
and ours is equal or better but there is latency in any pitch shifter. All pitch shifters have tradeoffs.
The lower the latency the more prone they are to tremolo artifacts, double transients and other
issues. Solving those issues increases the latency and the computational burden. The only pitch
shifting algorithm that has negligible latency is the "Rollers" algorithm but that requires insane
amounts of CPU and the samples I've heard aren't impressive. It also has its share of issues
(smearing, chirping)." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-2-00-publi
c-beta-2.144615/page-3#post-1710901)

"Pitch detection is a difficult problem. Polyphonic pitch detection is orders of magnitude more
difficult. Real-time pitch detection is much more difficult than non-real-time. Polyphonic real-time
pitch detection is nearly impossible." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/please-any-aud
io-programmers-out-there-question-re-pitch-detection.151719/post-1805337)

"To do polyphonic pitch shifting well you need around 50 ms of history. So nominally the delay
will be half that, 25 ms." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-1-19-p
ublic-beta.144260/post-1707587)

Learn mode
The Pitch block has a Learn function. Turn it on, play a note and hold it, and the device will set the key
according to the note you played.

In firmware Ares, the Pitch block doesn't have be engaged to be able to use Learn.

Note display
Firmware Ares features a Downtune control in the Tuner menu, which allows for simplified tuning when tuning
down one to four semitones. The Tuner display will display the “natural” name of the note, i.e. if tuning down
one semitone an Eb will read E. This also applies to notes in the Pitch block.

Parameters
The parameters are also explained in the Owner's Manual.

Parameters table (per type)

 DUAL DETUNE Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Input Mode yes

Detune 1,2 yes

Delay Time 1,2 yes

Level 1,2 yes

Pan 1,2 yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Input Gain yes

QUAD DETUNE Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Input Mode yes

Feedback Mode yes

Detune 1,2,3,4 yes

Delay Time 1,2,3,4 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2,3,4 yes

Feedback 1,2,3,4 yes

Level 1,2,3,4 yes

Pan 1,2,3,4 yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Input Gain yes

 DUAL CHROMATIC Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Pitch yes

Master Delay yes

Master Feedback yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Shift 1,2 yes

Detune 1,2 yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Temperament yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Delay 1,2 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2 yes

Feedback 1,2 yes

Input Mode yes

Level 1,2 yes

Pan 1,2 yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Input Gain yes

QUAD CHROMATIC Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Pitch yes

Master Delay yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Shift 1,2,3,4 yes

Detune 1,2,3,4 yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Temperament yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Delay 1,2,3,4 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2,3,4 yes

Input Mode yes

Level 1,2,3,4 yes

Pan 1,2,3,4 yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Input Gain yes

 DUAL / QUAD DIATONIC Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Delay yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Key yes

Learn yes

Scale yes

Harmony 1,2 (3,4) yes

Detune 1,2 (3,4) yes

Temperament yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Delay 1,2 (3,4) yes

Delay Tempo 1,2 (3,4) yes

Level 1,2 (3,4) yes

Pan 1,2 (3,4) yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking yes

Pitch Quantize yes

Glide Time yes

Custom Scale — Number of Notes yes

Custom Scale — Tonic yes

Custom Scale — Note 2-8 yes

WHAMMY Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Whammy Mode yes

Whammy Control yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

 OCTAVE DIVIDER Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Detector Source yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut (not operational) yes

Level 1,2 yes

Pan 1,2 yes

CRYSTAL ECHOES Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Pitch yes

Master Feedback yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Shift 1,2 yes

Detune 1,2 yes

Temperament yes

Diffusion (Ares 12.08 and later) yes

Splice Time 1,2 yes

Splice Tempo 1,2 yes

Direction yes

Delay 1,2 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2 yes

Feedback 1,2 yes

Feedback Type yes

Level 1,2 yes

Pan 1,2 yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

ADVANCED WHAMMY Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Start Shift yes

Stop Shift yes

Whammy Control yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

ARPEGGIATOR Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Arpeggiator Run yes

Master Level yes

Master Pan yes

Key yes

Scale yes

Temperament yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking yes

Arpeggiator Steps yes

Arpeggiator Repeats yes

Arpeggiator Tempo yes

Glide Time yes

Amplitude Shape yes

Amplitude Alpha yes

Pan Shape yes

Pan Alpha yes

Step 1-16 Shift yes

Custom Scale — Number of Notes yes

Custom Scale — Tonic yes

Custom Scale — Note 2-8 yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

CUSTOM SHIFTER Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Delay yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Key yes
Learn yes

Tracking yes

Glide Time yes

Temperament yes

Scale 1,2 yes

Detune 1,2 yes

Level 1,2 yes

Pan 1,2 yes

Delay 1,2 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2 yes

Detector Source yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes
QUAD SHIFT DELAY Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Pitch yes

Master Delay yes

Master Feedback yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Shift 1,2,3,4 yes

Detune 1,2,3,4 yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Temperament yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Delay 1,2,3,4 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2,3,4 yes

Feedback 1,2,3,4 yes

Input Mode yes

Level 1,2,3,4 yes

Pan 1,2,3,4 yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Input Gain yes

 QUAD HARMONY DELAY Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Master Delay yes

Master Feedback yes

Master Pan yes

Master Level yes

Key yes

Learn yes

Scale yes

Harmony 1,2,3,4 yes

Detune 1,2,3,4 yes

Temperament yes

LFO Rate, Tempo, Depth yes

Delay 1,2,3,4 yes

Delay Tempo 1,2,3,4 yes

Feedback 1,2,3,4 yes

Level 1,2,3,4 yes

Pan 1,2,3,4 yes

Input Mode yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking yes

Pitch Quantize yes

Glide Time yes

Custom Scale — Number of Notes yes

Custom Scale — Tonic yes

Custom Scale — Note 2-8 yes

 VIRTUAL CAPO Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Shift yes
Detune yes

Detector Source yes

Tracking Mode yes

Tracking yes

Input Gain yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Pitch tracking: Poly or Mono

The Pitch Track setting impacts latency and the quality of tracking, depending on the input signal.

Poly — works best for shifting chords

Mono — works best for shifting single notes

"If you set the Tracking to Mono there will be less latency. For small shifts (up/down a few
semitones) there is no discernible difference between mono and poly. Even for large shifts mono
works well now whereas before it didn't track chords well." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/t
hreads/pitch-block-what-am-i-missing-latency-issue.144725/#post-1711906)

"To do polyphonic pitch shifting well you need around 50 ms of history. So nominally the delay
will be half that, 25 ms. If you set the detector to Mono the latency will be less but it won't track
chords, especially complex ones, as well due to lack of correlation in the history buffer." source (htt
ps://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-1-19-public-beta.144260/post-1707587)

"Poly will track complex chords better as it increases the autocorrelation length. The granules can
be larger though which can increase effective latency." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threa
ds/axe-fx-iii-firmware-release-version-12-08-public-beta.160400/post-1922587)

Pitch source: Global or Local

This parameter determines which signal the Pitch block uses for tracking.

Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8:

Global (default) — the signal at the input of the grid (pitch controller) is used to track the pitch. This will
usually suffice, unless there are specific demands or when the CPU load is high (see below)
Local — the signal at the input of the Pitch block on the grid is used to track the pitch. Use this when you
need accurate and fast pitch detection in high-CPU usage presets

Axe-Fx III and FM3:

Pitch in the Axe-Fx III uses its own pitch detector, separate from the Internal Controllers. Choose between
"Block" (equivalent of "Local", see above) and "Input x".
Feedback
This is placed before the Voice Level parameter. So when Feedback is turned up and Level is turned down,
you'll still hear repeats.

Low Cut, High Cut

These parameters are present in every Pitch type. However, they are not operational in the Octave Divider.

Voices
"Don't set both voices the same or you can get phasing. There's no point in setting both voices the
same." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/help-with-weird-phasing-issues-in-pitch-bloc
k-possible-bug.155712/post-1853939)

Temperament
This parameter has been added in firmware Ares.

Just — ratios are defined by the harmonic overtone series

Equal (default) — sweeter harmony, especially when followed by distortion

For a demonstration of the difference between the two settings, try factory preset "Lazy Man's Arpeggio" and
switch the parameter between the two settings.

More information
Harmony scales
The Owner's Manual explains the different harmony scales.

Wikipedia
Pitch shifting in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_shift)

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This page was last edited on 8 May 2020, at 19:22.