pitchCraftEz

New York, NY • AES Expo, Stand 140 • October 9, 2009 •

"The popularity of automatic vocal tuning and processing software these days is undeniable", said Jason E. Davies, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BIAS. "Whether utilized in songs by leading music artists — or in various popular videos circulating the internet — pitch processing has evolved considerably from it's original 'behind-the-scenes' application to compensate for an out of tune vocalist. By maximizing the correction values, or conforming spoken words to musical scales, the technology is often employed specifically for the special effect by which some artists are now defined. PitchCraft EZ employs state-of-the-art algorithms in an easy user interface to deliver this very effect at a breakthrough price."

"Super-natural" sonic quality with ease

BIAS first developed advanced pitch correction and modification technologies for their highly acclaimed Master Perfection Suite — a professional plug-in suite for Mac and PC that includes PitchCraft (also available in the company's flagship Peak Pro XT audio editing, processing, mastering, and delivery software application exclusive for Mac). Using essential algorithms from PitchCraft, PitchCraft EZ offers many core features while focusing on ease of use and quick, pro-quality results. The pitch, transposition, and formant preservation DSP algorithms employed ensure natural sounding pitch correction and transposition, while offering additional options not found in other low priced solutions.

Attractive and accessible user interface

True to it's name, PitchCraft EZ minimizes the learning curve typically associated with advanced solutions at higher price points. Rather than dominating the user interface with analysis graphs and a plethora of parameters, PitchCraft EZ maximizes accessibility with a greatly streamlined — and highly attractive "sports car red" interface. That said, BIAS chose carefully to include important features normally reserved for solutions priced several times higher. In addition to pitch correction and scale conformation, PitchCraft EZ offers a variety of scale types with customization (via mouse or MIDI keyboard input), as well as independent formant and transposition control (offering control over the "cavity size" as well as pitch shifting intervals). The addition of independent transposition and formant control offers the ability to create both natural and "super-natural" effects such as "gender-changing" (transforming a male voice to female or vice versa) as well as "aging" (transforming an adult voice to a child or vice versa), and "resizing" (making a smaller person's voice sound bigger or vice versa).

Applications beyond music

While many will acquire PitchCraft EZ for musical applications, the additional transposition and formant controls can be easily employed by sound designers for creating "alien" sounding voices, "chipmunks", and other more bizarre sounding special effects. Video and film makers can also employ PitchCraft EZ to help disguise a subject's voice in cases where anonymity is preferred.

Major Plug-in Host Compatibility

PitchCraft EZ is an audio plug-in designed for every major plug-in host for Mac and PC. The roster includes Peak (VST/Audio Units), Pro Tools (RTAS/AS) Logic/SoundTrack/GarageBand/Digital Performer (Audio Units), Nuendo/Cubase/Sonar/SoundForge/Audition/Premiere/Vegas (VST), and many other compatible hosts.

Pricing & Availability

PitchCraft EZ is scheduled for release in Q4 2009 and BIAS is now accepting pre-orders through the worldwide network of authorized BIAS resellers and distributors as well as directly from BIAS at an introductory suggested retail price of $99 US — contact an authorized BIAS reseller to obtain actual sale price). The standard edition of PitchCraft is currently available for $149 US and is also included with the Master Perfection Suite ($599 US).

Additional information can be found at: http://www.bias-inc.com.

Press ready screen shots of PitchCraft EZ are available for download at: http://www.bias-inc.com/about/press/graphics.php.

About BIAS

Berkley Integrated Audio Software, Inc. ("BIAS"), a privately held corporation based in Petaluma, California, is an established leader in cutting-edge audio software technology. BIAS's award-winning product line, which it holds under worldwide exclusive license from Marin Audio Technology, LLC, and which currently includes iProRecorder, Peak Pro XT, Peak Pro, Peak LE, Deck, Deck LE, Master Perfection Suite, SoundSoap, and SoundSoap Pro, can be heard on numerous hit recordings, Hollywood and independent feature films, television productions, websites, video games, and other productions. BIAS, founded in 1996, is dedicated to crafting powerful, innovative tools for audio, video, and film professionals, as well as musicians, composers, multimedia developers, and Internet authors.