PITCH SHIFT Meaning and
Definition
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Pitch shift is a digital audio processing technique or device that alters the frequency or pitch of an audio signal without changing its duration or speed. It modifies the fundamental frequency of the sound, which determines its perceived pitch, by adjusting it up or down. This process is commonly used in music production, recording studios, and audio effects processing.
Pitch shifting is achieved by using algorithms or hardware to manipulate the sound waveform. When the pitch of a signal is shifted upwards, it sounds higher in frequency, whereas shifting it downwards makes it sound lower. The process allows musicians and sound engineers to change the tonal characteristics of a sound or song, whether to create harmony, adjust key, or generate unique effects.
There are various methods to pitch shift an audio signal, including time-domain and frequency-domain techniques. Time-domain pitch shifting changes the duration of the signal while preserving the frequencies, resulting in a change in pitch. Frequency-domain pitch shifting, on the other hand, decomposes the signal into its frequency components and modifies them before reassembling the sound. Both methods can be implemented in real-time or offline, depending on the requirements.
Pitch shift effects are widely used in various genres of music, including electronic, pop, rock, and hip-hop, to create different moods, enhance vocals, correct off-key recordings, or even disguise voices. They are also employed in sound design for film, television, and video games to achieve unique sonic textures and otherworldly atmospheres.
Etymology of PITCH SHIFT
The word "pitch" originates from the Old English "picchen", which means to thrust or pierce. It later evolved to "pitchen", referring to fixing or settling something. In music, "pitch" denotes the perceived frequency of a sound.
The word "shift" comes from the Old English word "sciftan", meaning to change or exchange. It ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "skiftaną".
When combined, "pitch shift" refers to changing or altering the perceived frequency of a sound, typically in the field of music or audio engineering.
