Transcription Software

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

Why transcribe?• 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

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!

Amazing Slow Downer Interface

EQ

Loop control

Transport

Speed andPitch

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

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

Transcribe!: Pros and Cons

• 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