GSnap is an auto-tune effect. It can be used subtly to correct the pitch of a vocal, or, with more extreme settings, to create a robot-voice effect. It requires a monophonic input signal to operate.
The GUI features a set of 12 knobs which control all of the plug-in's parameters. Each has its function clearly labelled above, and features a user-editable readout below. Additionally, twelve "switches" next to the pitch data view correspond to the twelve semitones of a full octave in the Western chromatic scale, and are used to supplement the "fixed" mode of GSnap. Two further switches allow the user to select between "fixed" or "midi" modes, explained below.
The controls are divided into three groups: Detection, Correction, and MIDI. The Detection section allows you to fine-tune GSnap's ability to deal with incoming audio. Correction determines the method and audible effect of the tuning algorithm. MIDI controls determine how GSnap deals with particular MIDI information.
To the left of the controls is a visual representation of the pitch of the source and "tuned" material. The source material appears as a red line graph, and the tuned material a green one. This can help the user zero in on problem notes, and also provide a secondary way (the primary being your ears!) with which to gauge GSnap's effect on the source material.
Detection Controls
The incoming audio is first processed by this set of controls, which help give GSnap a bit of a break by narrowing down the range of frequencies and sounds that the plug-in has to deal with.
Min Freq: Allows the user to set the minimum frequency, in Hertz, that GSnap will consider for correction. The vast majority of human voices will never go below 300 Hz.
Max Freq: This allows the user to set the highest frequency that will be considered for tuning. While the harmonics of the human voice can go above 3500 Hz, the fundamentals are generally below 1000 Hz, and are more commonly even below 800.
Gate: Any source material at a level below this setting is not considered for tuning. You should set this so that GSnap ignores background noise.
Speed: The Speed parameter sets the number of wave repetitions required for pitch-detection. Lower values for Speed will allow faster pitch-detection but increase the chance of false detection, resulting in sporadic jumps in the audio's pitch. The default value should be fine in most cases.
Correction Controls
Once a pitch has been determined, GSnap applies the specified pitch-correction. There are two modes of pitch correction: fixed scale and MIDI. Fixed scale correction has a fixed set of snap-notes, while MIDI correction is controlled in real time by MIDI data.
Fixed Mode: When this mode is selected, notes are "snapped" to a key of the user's choosing. Pressing the "Select Scale..." button located beside the "Fixed Mode" button brings up a dialog box:
GSnap dialog
A drop-down menu allows you to select the "root" of the scale, and another the "mode". Checking the "Set Threshold..." option will automatically adjust the Threshold parameter so that the chosen scale is enforced.
Once a scale is selected (or at any point in time with "Fixed" mode enabled), the user may add or remove notes from snap. All enabled notes in the scale are highlighted with light blue in small boxes on the "piano keys" next to the graphical display. Disabled notes are indicated with dark blue.
Installation:
- All GVST plug-ins come compressed in a ZIP file, so the first step is to extract the files from the ZIP file.
- Once extracted, you should have one or more DLL files, these are the plug-in files.
- You need to copy the plug-in files to the appropriate folder for your host program.
- In most cases, you will need either to restart the host program or re-scan the plug-in folder in order for newly-installed plug-ins to appear.
