PRODUCT
TESTS
Synchro Arts VocAlign Ultra Plug-In
By Adam Gallant
VocAlign by Synchro Arts has recently been overhauled and in this issue , we are testing out VocAlign Ultra to explore all of its new features and utilities . While the company ’ s flagship product , Revoice Pro 4 , represents a tremendous amount of power and value , VocAlign takes some of the most time-saving aspects of that suite and condenses them for users who may be using other tools for primary pitch correction . In its early days , VocAlign was the go-to tool for automating the arduous task of editing ADR dialogue to match production dialogue in audio post-production . After a short time , the software was adopted by the music community to speed up lengthy edit jobs on sung vocal doubles , harmonies , and other layered music sources . This latest version has been optimized for implementation in music production .
With this latest release , we find the interface to be completely overhauled with a modern looking and fully resizable GUI . The UI clearly displays the audio waveforms you are looking to match ( referred to as the “ Guide ”), the audio that will be reshaped ( referred to as the “ Dub ”), and also the final render that the software will output . Views can be expanded to show details about both time and pitch changes that will take place , as well as how aggressive the software will work in specific areas . The UI has been designed in a way that makes it easy to hunt down any potential areas susceptible to artifacts . In the upper right corner , there is a toggle to switch between the Basic and Advanced views . In the Advanced view , we see detailed controls such as a Transpose option , alternate pitch algorithms , and settings for pitch ranges on the Guide and Dub tracks .
VocAlign Ultra brings in algorithms built for Revoice Pro , and one such feature is SmartAlign . This process looks both at the track to be corrected and the guide track and it makes intelligent decisions about what edit paths to take when matching those clips . With SmartAlign enabled , users may find some “ loosening ” of the time matching capabilities is warranted as the software can do an exceptional job of lining things up . The Max Difference control parameter comes into play here . Users can dial in the amount of correction quickly and independently for time corrections and pitch corrections . Also , the SmartAlign algorithm can be disabled with a single click . Broadly speaking , the software is much more flexible and transparent sounding than I recall it feeling in previous versions .
Perhaps the most exciting new feature is the Match Pitch tool . Previous versions of VocAlign simply focused on matching the timing between clips , but now we have the ability to also match the pitch in very controlled and versatile ways . The timesaving capabilities here are phenomenal . For example , are you tired of tuning each layer of background vocals ? Try tuning one layer of background vocals and simply match that tuned file to all the doubles that follow .
For complicated matching , VocAlign Ultra has Sync Points and Protected Areas . These are user-defined target points on your Guide and Dub tracks that VocAlign will ensure remain in sync or are left untouched when processing .
There are also well described and wellorganized presets that are great for exploring the full features of the plug-in . There are presets for instruments , dialogue , rap , and of course , sung vocals . For dialogue , we see the ability to match inflection via the Match Pitch algorithm — a great level up for handling ADR when the dubbed performances aren ’ t as desirable as the sometimesunusable production dialogue .
With the ability to futz with pitch , users will find there is more room for creative exploration in this latest version . For example , shifting the formant on doubled vocals in music can create width and depth by adjusting the timbre of a source without affecting its pitch . The Transpose knob in the Advanced view can be used to add subtle pitch shifts up and down to hard panned BGs or Doubles to create a classic “ microshift ” sound . For sound designers looking to add unique effects to dialogue , the Formant shift can be really unique sounding when abused . Use it to match alternate takes and create a thick-sounding villain or a voice with ghostly computerized characteristics .
Also , VocAlign has been ARA2 enabled . ARA ( Audio Random Access ) increases the amount of communication between a DAW and a plug-in with information such as audio data , tempo , and pitch for an entire song rather than just at the moment of playback . The ARA version of VocAlign can capture and process multiple clips in one pass , whereas the Pro Tools AudioSuite version is restricted to a single Guide and Dub print at a time . For the VST3 or AU formats , VocAlign can be instantiated on an insert slot on the track whose timing you want to correct . Simply side-chain a feed from the Guide track and capture the audio in real time before aligning it . Synchro Arts are keeping up with the demands of their users by adapting these formats .
Without a doubt the most valuable aspect of Vocalign Ultra is its ability to save vast amounts of time on editing . If you ’ re working in Dialogue , matching ADR , or flying in alternate takes , this tool is an absolute must . Also , it does a much more transparent sounding job than editing “ by hand ” in Pro Tools . In the world of music production , the instant results one can achieve are mind-boggling . Clean up doubled vocals in a track in a few seconds , and tune all your background vocals in a massive session in a few minutes . This is the kind of plug-in users look back and think , “ how did I ever work without this ?”
Adam Gallant has worked in all facets of digital audio production , from music composition to location and post audio for television and film . He currently owns and operates The Hill Sound Studio in Charlottetown , PE .
24 PROFESSIONAL SOUND