Melodyne 5 brings automatic sibilant detection, more human pitching

Celemony has announced the latest edition of its pitch correction software, Melodyne 5. The new version introduces sibilant detection via a reworked ‘melodic algorithm’; chord-based tracking; and dynamics-editing capabilities for individual notes, even if they sit within a chord.

With Melodyne 5’s reworked melodic algorithm, the software now distinguishes vocal sibilants from pitched content automatically. This could improve vocal editing workflows by removing the need to isolate sibilants individually; and create a more human-sounding result.

For example, when a selection of notes is transposed, Melodyne 5 leaves the sibilant sounds in place – reflecting the way the human voice works. When a vocal note is stretched, only its vowel is lengthened, leaving the ‘ess’ sound unaffected. Sibilants can also be ducked, accentuated and otherwise processed separately from the rest of a word, making Melodyne 5 a powerful optimal de-esser as well.

Melodyne 5’s new melodic algorithm ‘hears’ notes more like the human ear, too. In previous versions, the pitch that Melodyne assigned to a sung note was an average of that note over its duration. However, that’s not quite how we humans perceive pitch. Celemony claims that their updated algorithm can detect the decisive pitched moment in any sung note and transpose it automatically so it sounds sweeter to the ear while preserving more of the singer’s unique character.

Chord Track analyses vocal tracks for their pitched content – feeding information directly into a Pitch Grid that allows music-makers to visualise the compatibility of vocal notes to the “overall” chord. This chord recognition can even be used to identify chords across an entire mix – giving a birds-eye view of a song’s key content.

Melodyne 5’s approach to dynamics editing takes place on a note-for-note basis, allowing fades to be preserved on a note when it’s moved or copied; and even allowing changes in the level of individual notes that sit within a chord.

Take a look at Celemony’s video overview of Melodyne 5 below.

Pricing for Melodyne 5 begins with Essential at $99 and tops out at $849 for Melodyne 5 Studio.

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Learn more at celemony.com.