Pitch shifter/tuning changer/detuner/that sorta stuff

Frans-B--Cocq

Good evening South Africa!

I've recently developed a GAS for something that would allow me to tune my guitar without actually tuning it. Oh yeah, I bet that sounded smart... :-\
Anyway, familiar with the Line6 Variax? It has an option that you can change tunings with a twist of a knob, without actually touching the tuners. That's what I'm looking for, just in an effect. So, does something like that exist? If not, I guess I could do with something that just changes the pitch of the guitar without modifying the sound. Like this guy has:

He uses a Digitech RP300, but I don't have the budget to buy a multi-FX just to get one feature. Especially when I don't like the FX in question.

Any suggestions what to get?

Danny-B

Well, there's the BOSS PS-5 pitch shifter that I know of. I think you can set parameters within it that changes the pitch of your guitar, or harmonizes with the dry signal. Or you get octavers like the POG, or effects such as the Digitech Whammy which changes the pitch of your guitar by means of an expression pedal to various heights, such as two octaves, one octave etc.

aja

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ElectroHarmonix-Frequency-Analyzer?sku=153301

Have a listen to the demo sound clip and video. Might be what you are looking for.

I think the only way to change the actual tuning would be to get a MIDI guitar or one like the Variax

AlanRatcliffe

aja wrote: I think the only way to change the actual tuning would be to get a MIDI guitar or one like the Variax

Pitch shifting is fairly complex at the best of times and can only shift the entire sound up or down - can't give you altered tunings, which I think is what you are after. If you want to tune individual strings differently, you need something that uses a hex pickup - Currently limited to the Line 6 Variax, Fender VG-Strat, or a guitar with a hex pickup and a Roland VG-99. None are inexpensive options.

The new version of the Celemony Melodyne software can take a prerecorded part and change it's key (pretty amazing piece of software - if only people would stop using it just for the Autotune type effect). It's not realtime though.

However - If you're looking to change tunings on the fly then there are hardware options too. The Hipshot Trilogy bridge (hardtail only) can swap the tunings of each string to any of three preset notes on the fly. There is also the Steinberger Trans-trem tremolo (headless guitars only) which can be preset to lock into different tunings (even while playing) and can also drop and raise the pitch of all the strings in tune with each other..

Frans-B--Cocq

Thanks, guys. Seems like a pitch shifter is the answer. Got to go try some out!