Adobe AUDITION 1.5 - Manual (Page 209)

201 ADOBE AUDITION 1.5
User Guide
Tempo Specifies the number of beats per minute in the loop. Adobe Audition calculates
this value automatically based on Number Of Beats. Don't worry if the value isn’t a whole
number—for example, 80.4 instead of 80—after you loop the file, Adobe Audition can
stretch it to whatever tempo you want.
Key Specifies the loop’s key, so that if you create a session and want to adjust the key of all
audio clips globally, Adobe Audition has a reference for each file. If a loop file is a drum
track, choose Non-Voiced. This option is especially important if you plan to change the
key of multiple loops in a session, because you won’t want to pitch-shift a drum track to
the key of E (for example) if it has no key to begin with.
Find Nearest Scans the loop to locate the nearest key. This option works best with
monophonic files (that is, solo instruments). Because many keys share the same notes in
the scale, you can think of this setting as root note for transposition.
Stretch Method Specifies how (if at all) the loop stretches to match the session’s tempo.
Choose one of the following settings:
• Fixed Length (No Stretching) causes the loop to play at its native tempo no matter what
the session tempo is set to. If a session has multiple loops of different tempos, and each
is set to Fixed Length, no two loops will seamlessly match in tempo. This setting is useful
if you plan to insert and loop a file in a session where you don’t plan on doing any type
of time stretching or pitch shifting. The most common uses for this setting is inserting
a pattern over live music or using one to underscore live vocals.
• Time-Scale Stretch stretches the file (just like the Stretch effect) to match the tempo of
the session. Corresponding options are Quality (High, Medium, or Low), Frame Size
(the number of splices per beat), and the percentage of Frame Overlapping. This
method stretches a file based on its actual length, so you should use it if you loop
something like a synth pad or a sustained string section (which don’t have actual beats,
per se). This method is most commonly used for “tonal” instruments, like piano, bass,
and guitar.
• Resample (Affects Pitch) resamples the loop to match the session’s tempo, affecting the
pitch. High, Medium, and Low Quality options are available. This method is commonly
used in R&B and hip hop tracks, primarily because you can achieve exaggerated stretching
and compressing of files. If loops set to Resample are time stretched, their pitch changes.
This setting is most commonly used on drum tracks to create a lo-fi, dirty, phat kind of
sound. It can also work well on voice and voiceovers if you're trying to change the sound
and timbre of a speaker's voice.
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