Tempo and Pitch Changed After Importing Audio in Cubase
In Cubase, the tempo and pitch of imported audio files are incorrect.
This article consists of the following contents:
- 1. What to do if the sampling rate is not correct
- 2. The sampling rate is correct but the tempo and pitch are wrong
- 3. Playback is fine, but I want to match the sampling rate to the project settings
Problems may occur when importing audio files such as instrumentals (karaoke, off-vocals, backing tracks) or vocals into Cubase.
- The tempo has sped up (or slowed down)
- The pitch has become higher (or lower)
All of these problems are most likely caused by a mismatch between the project's sampling rate and the audio file's sampling rate.
The best solution is to re-read the file and review the settings.
- [Related Information]
- When I load an audio file, the length and pitch change
- (The dialog box asking whether or not to convert the sampling factor does not appear.)
However, there may be cases where you cannot reload or the problem is not resolved even after reloading. This article summarizes some tips on what to do in such cases.
Site Search
Article Categories
Related information
1. What to do if the sampling rate is not correct
If the playback speed and pitch are incorrect because the sample rate of the audio file loaded in Cubase does not match the sample rate of the project, converting the sample rate of the file may solve the problem.
(1) Check the situation
Compare the sample rate of the audio file in the Pool for the track in question with that of your project. If they don't match, proceed to the next step.
Play the audio file in the Pool with a general-purpose player such as Windows Media to check that it plays correctly. If it plays correctly, there is no problem with the file itself, so convert the sampling rate of the file by Convert Files.
(2) Solution: Convert Files
With the relevant media selected in the Pool, open Media > Convert Files. You can also right-click in the Pool to select Convert Files.
Specify the same sample rate as the project's setting for the sample rate and perform the conversion. It is safe to choose "New + Replace in Pool", which leaves the original file intact.
2. The sampling rate is correct but the tempo and pitch are wrong
If the playback speed and pitch of the audio file itself loaded into Cubase is wrong, you can convert the contents of the file to the correct speed and pitch while maintaining the sampling rate. This conversion can be done by using the Resample function in the audio processing.
[About resampling]
Resampling does not change the sampling rate of the file being processed , but converts the recorded audio data so that it is slower or faster.
[Related information]: Resample
(1) Check the situation
Compare the sample rate of the audio file in the Pool for the track in question with that of your project. If they match, proceed to the next step.
Check that the speed and pitch of the audio file in the Pool is wrong when played in a general-purpose player such as Windows Media Player. If the tempo and pitch are wrong, resampling may solve the problem.
(2) Solution: Resample
The problem here is that we need to determine why the tempo and pitch discrepancy occurred in the first place.
Below are two cases that occur relatively often between 44.1kHz and 48kHz.
If you cannot determine which case it is, or if it does not fall into either of the two, it is best to give up on dealing with it.
It is unlikely that you will find the answer by simply resampling it.
[Case 1: Slow rotation state]
If a 48kHz audio file sounds as slow as when played at 44.1kHz, you may be able to solve the problem by resampling it as follows.
Please note that there may be errors due to the number of digits specified for "difference".
[Case 2: Fast forwarding]
If a 44.1kHz audio file is playing at the same speed as when it is played at 48kHz, you may be able to solve the problem by resampling it as follows.
Please note that there may be errors due to the number of digits specified for "difference".
[Reference: Other "Difference" values]
3. Playback is fine, but I want to match the sampling rate to the project settings
This is a case where the sampling rate of the audio file that was loaded and stored in the Pool does not match the project rate, but there is no problem with the playback tempo and pitch.
There may be no problem if you leave it as it is, but it may be affected depending on the contents of the editing operation afterwards.
For example, if you open SpectraLayers One in the extension, the pitch may become strange as soon as you open the corresponding audio event in SpectraLayers One.
- [Related Information]
- Pitch and tempo are weird when opened in SpectraLayers One
There are other issues that may arise during the audio editing process.
An easy way to match the sample rate to your project without changing how it sounds is to use "Render in Place".
