Pitch Block Virtual Capo Not Working for me

[chris]

In an even more bizarre twist of fate, I attempted to record it... and the problem doesn't show up on the recording. I can hear the "double" sound (-1 pitch shifted and not pitch shifted) coming through the speakers while recording the track, but when playing back the recording, it doesn't show up. Great. Now everyone will really say it's all in my head, lol. I disconnected the unit from the PC entirely, to eliminate any weird PC/USB related problem, and just went straight to the FR-10, tried again with headphones, and the problem is still there. But it is not sending the problem to the DAW while recording...

I will attempt to somehow get the issue recorded. I may have to actually just turn the FR-10 up and attempt to record it with my phone or something ghetto like that, (I rid myself of cumbersome mic recording and sold my SM57 and UA interface setup when I went to fractal.) Unbelievable.

I also typically only use -1 although in some cases I have used as much as -4 and -5 without any issues. My pickups are very low output with a lot of clarity and the FM9 seems to like that so it normally tracks very well, even playing at very high speeds and fast notes. Like I said, best pitch shift tracking I've ever used. It's literally the difference between having to have 3-4 guitars and different tunings with full setups specific to that tuning, (a lot of work and money and PITA), and just having a nice button you can press instead. Typically when I'm using it, you cannot even tell I'm using pitch shifting at all; it just sounds that good.

I have contacted support and they have reached back out to me but I need to get a recording to them somehow as proof I'm not crazy first.

We’re not asking for PROOF, we’re asking to hear it ourselves 1 because we’re not there and 2 so we can diagnose it. We don’t think you’re crazy, we don’t think you’re lying.

We’re trying to help and just need to talk through troubleshooting steps sequentially to get it solved.

 

[Domct203]

If you are hearing it in headphones directly connected to the FM9 but not when you record (via USB I presume), do you have the ability to record directly from the FM9 headphone output?

 

[geetarplayer]

When your experience doesn't make logical sense, you'll likely be asked to troubleshoot it by trying things that don't make logical sense.

 

[simeon]

like dr no suggested. using the looper block will remove one variable. when you're troubleshooting, removing as many variables as you can, one at a time if possible, will help you narrow down what's going on.

 

[steadystate]

I find the new VC algorithm quite usable. Having said that...

If you need two pitch blocks and/or don't mind using a second device, try a Virtual Jeff. When used as a virtual capo, it produces fewer artifacts than any other pitch shifter I've ever tried. By a light year. You don't have to mount the arm on your guitar. You can simply use it as a stomp box. The quality of the shift is mind-blowing. Nothing else I've tried can touch it.

 

[Moke]

Sounds like some type of direct monitoring issue.?? Somehow the unshifted output is passing through into the DAW.

But it is happening in the headphones. Are you using the FM9 headphone output, or another interface?

Can't wait to find out the answer to this riddle.

 

[leagueofkruger]

I find the new VC algorithm quite usable. Having said that...

If you need two pitch blocks and/or don't mind using a second device, try a Virtual Jeff. When used as a virtual capo, it produces fewer artifacts than any other pitch shifter I've ever tried. By a light year. You don't have to mount the arm on your guitar. You can simply use it as a stop box. The quality of the shift is mind-blowing. Nothing else I've tried can touch it.

+1 to the Virtual Jeff.

 

[Anthony76]

Can you give you routing/signal flow? It really does sound like you are either hearing the acoustic guitar mixed with speaker sound or there is some kind of issue with the routing through Fractal and DAW, as mentioned direct monitoring could be the issue. Without being in the room or seeing the set up it is difficult. How are you recording the Fractal? ie USB, XLR into Interface etc. If you are running through a DAW or interface try plugging directly into a speaker turn up loud and see if the issue is still there. Just trying to trouble shoot.

 

[Goonie]

I wasnt going to get involved in this thread, but I saw the comment. Same happens for me too. I'm on v8.01. I noticed some tonal differences when I bypassed/engaged it. I'm gonna look into it a bit tomorrow. I only use the virtual capo at -1. I don't typically go any lower than that.
Again, I'll try to do some troubleshooting on my end tomorrow.

Ok, so I ran the looper. I played a loop in standard tuning, engaged the virtual capo, and kept dropping the tuning every time it looped.
Sounded ok through my monitors, PXM-12MP, and Xitone.
I do however think that there is a fraction of a millisecond delay though. I think it's a "feel" thing, or it could be feedback of the real pitch through my tenders.
But, yeah I think it working well on my end anyway.

 

[unix-guy]

Ok, so I ran the looper. I played a loop in standard tuning, engaged the virtual capo, and kept dropping the tuning every time it looped.
Sounded ok through my monitors, PXM-12MP, and Xitone.
I do however think that there is a fraction of a millisecond delay though. I think it's a "feel" thing, or it could be feedback of the real pitch through my tenders.
But, yeah I think it working well on my end anyway.

Are you saying there's a delay with the Pitch block bypassed?

If you mean when engaged, of course there's a delay - that's latency from the pitch shifting.

 

[Goonie]

Are you saying there's a delay with the Pitch block bypassed?

If you mean when engaged, of course there's a delay - that's latency from the pitch shifting.

Yes, just the latency is all I noticed.
All is good and acceptable.