SoundShifter by Waves pitch shifter plugin interface

SoundShifter: Pitch and Time Stretch Effect by Waves

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (11 ratings)

SoundShifter is a pitch shifting and time-stretching audio effect plugin by Waves. It transposes audio independently of its duration and can also change tempo or length, with separate pitch and time controls. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

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01Overview

SoundShifter is built around two demanding processes: changing pitch and changing duration. Waves offers three components for different jobs. The pitch shifter transposes audio without changing its length, which suits moving vocals or instruments into another key. Time-stretch settings let you fit material to a set length, defined by SMPTE, tempo, bars or samples. The Graphic SoundShifter draws separate curves for pitch and time, for more detailed control over changes across a clip.

Best for

Vocal transposition
Instrument key changes
Commercial timing edits
Sound design pitch effects
Variable-speed pitch effects
Time-stretching loops

Developer: Waves
Category: Pitch Shifters
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Transposes audio independently of its duration
Pitch and time can be linked or unlinked
Time-stretch lengths defined by SMPTE, tempo, bars or samples
Transposition by absolute frequency or musical pitch
Graphic SoundShifter with separate pitch and time curves
Parametric and Graphic components for AudioSuite workflows
Pitch shifter component works as an insert in all DAWs
Variable-speed style pitch and time changes on masters

03In depth

Pitch shifting and time stretching in one plugin

SoundShifter can transpose instruments and vocals to different keys, and it can transpose using either absolute frequencies or musical pitches. Pitch and time can be unlinked, so you can change one without affecting the other, or linked so that a change to one follows the other.

Waves describes the sound quality as far exceeding typical stock DAW functions. Common uses named in the feature list include raising the pitch and speed of masters in the manner of variable-speed tape, and shortening or lengthening commercials to fit designated time slots.

Components and host compatibility

The Parametric and Graphic SoundShifters are AudioSuite-only components. The pitch shifter component works in all DAWs, not just Pro Tools, and is the option to use as an insert effect in other hosts.

For sound design, the plugin can transform audio for effects work. Its pitch shifter is designed to change pitch without changing duration, so it can be used on its own for transposition tasks where timing must stay the same.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Waves
Type	Plugin
Category	Pitch Shifter
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does SoundShifter support?

SoundShifter is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on both Windows and macOS.

What system do I need to run SoundShifter?

On Mac, the listed requirements are macOS Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14 and Sequoia 15, in VST, AU or AAX. On PC, Windows 10 and later is supported, in VST or AAX.

Can I use SoundShifter in any DAW?

The pitch shifter component works with all DAWs, not just Pro Tools. The Parametric and Graphic SoundShifter components are AudioSuite-only and are used in Pro Tools.