Dynamic Elastic Pitch Shifter - Map input level to pitch offset with a Bezier curve for liquid audio effects
VenusElasticPitch is an innovative dynamic pitch shifting effect plugin that automatically adjusts pitch offset based on the input audio's loudness (level). Through a visual Bezier curve editor, users can customize the mapping relationship between level and pitch to achieve rich "liquid audio" effects.
Whether it's laser drums, monster vocals, Doppler effects, or extreme Chipmunk transformations, VenusElasticPitch handles it all. Three pitch modes (Repitch, Granular, Varispeed) cover an ultra-wide range from ±24 to ±48 semitones.
Pitch offset follows input level changes in real-time
Intuitive Bezier curve editor defines transfer function
Repitch (tape varispeed), Granular, and Varispeed (extreme range)
0-200 ms adjustable, lets the pitch shifter respond before transients
10 user-saveable curve presets
Dynamic ball shows current level and corresponding pitch offset
Principle: Simulates tape machine or vinyl record speed changes by varying the delay line read speed to change pitch.
Characteristics:
Best for: Drums, kicks, material that needs to retain punch
Principle: Slices audio into small grains, changes playback speed within each grain, and overlaps them to maintain overall time progression.
Characteristics:
Best for: Vocals, pads, material that needs to stay in sync
Principle: Uses high-quality linear interpolation resampling to directly change the audio playback rate for extreme pitch transformations.
Characteristics:
Best for: Chipmunk effects, deep monster growls, extreme Risers/Impacts, sound design
| Mode | Maximum Range | Algorithm Type | Affects Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repitch | ±24 st (±2 octaves) | Delay line varispeed | Yes |
| Granular | ±24 st (±2 octaves) | Grain overlap | No |
| Varispeed | ±48 st (±4 octaves) | Linear interpolation resampling | Yes |
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Peak / RMS | Peak | Level detection mode. Peak responds faster with more peaks, RMS is smoother |
| Attack | 0.1 - 2000 ms | 5 ms | Envelope follower rise time (response speed when level increases) |
| Release | 1.0 - 5000 ms | 100 ms | Envelope follower fall time (response speed when level decreases) |
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input Min | -120 - 0 dB | -60 dB | Minimum input level for mapping curve |
| Input Max | -120 - 0 dB | 0 dB | Maximum input level for mapping curve |
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitch Mode | Repitch / Granular / Varispeed | Repitch | Pitch shifting algorithm mode |
| Range | 1 - 24/48 st | 12 st | Pitch offset range (±semitones). Repitch/Granular max ±24, Varispeed max ±48 |
| Grain | 20 - 200 ms | 50 ms | Grain size (Granular mode only) |
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delay | 0 - 200 ms | 0 ms | Trigger delay (Lookahead). Lets envelope detection work ahead of signal processing |
| Dry/Wet | 0 - 100% | 100% | Dry/wet mix ratio. 0% = pure original, 100% = pure pitched signal |
| Output | -24 - +24 dB | 0 dB | Output gain compensation |
Use Lookahead when you want the pitch shifter to "predict" transients: by delaying the audio signal, envelope detection works ahead, so pitch changes are already in place when the attack arrives. Perfect for drums and sound design requiring precise transient control.
The curve editor is the core feature of VenusElasticPitch, defining the mapping relationship between input level and pitch offset.
The orange dynamic ball in the curve shows the current input level (X) and corresponding pitch offset (Y) in real-time for intuitive control.
| Axis | Direction | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| X Axis | Left → Right | 0 dB → -60 dB | Input level (high level on left, low level on right) |
| Y Axis | Bottom → Top | -Range → +Range st | Pitch offset (center line = 0 semitones = original pitch) |
The plugin provides 5 built-in curve presets:
Three quick controls at bottom-left:
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Reset | Reset all parameters and curve to defaults |
| 🎲 | Randomize selected parameters (based on random options) |
| ⚙ | Open random options panel, set which parameters participate in randomization |
10 circular preset slots below the editor:
Presets saved in: ~/Documents/VenusSound/Presets/elastic_pitch_presets.json
Settings: Pitch Mode: Repitch, Curve: Linear, Range: 12-24 st, Attack: 0.1-5 ms, Release: 50-150 ms
Effect: Turn kicks into laser gun "pew-pew" sounds (high volume → high pitch, decay → low pitch).
Settings: Pitch Mode: Granular, Curve: Inverted, Range: 6-12 st, Attack: 5-20 ms, Release: 100-300 ms
Effect: When vocals get loud, pitch automatically drops to create monster-like growls.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Repitch, Curve: S-Curve, Range: 12-24 st, Attack: 50-100 ms, Release: 200-500 ms
Effect: Add Doppler effect to transitions (Risers/Downlifters), sounding like audio rushing past.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Granular, Curve: S-Curve, Range: 3-6 st, Attack: 200-500 ms, Release: 1000-2000 ms, Grain: 100-200 ms
Effect: Pad timbre slowly evolves with dynamics, creating flowing "liquid audio" feel.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Repitch, Curve: Linear, Range: 12 st, Attack: 0.1-1 ms, Release: 50-100 ms, Delay: 5-20 ms
Effect: With Lookahead delay, pitch shifter responds before transients arrive for precise dynamic control.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Varispeed, Curve: Linear, Range: 36-48 st, Attack: 1-5 ms, Release: 50-100 ms
Effect: Use Varispeed's ±48 semitone range to create extreme cartoon Chipmunk effects. High volume = pitch soars 3-4 octaves.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Varispeed, Curve: Inverted, Range: 36-48 st, Attack: 10-30 ms, Release: 200-500 ms
Effect: Use Varispeed's extreme downward range to turn vocals or drums into deep abyss-like sub-bass monster sounds. Cleaner than Granular, no grain artifacts.
Settings: Pitch Mode: Varispeed, Curve: S-Curve, Range: 48 st, Attack: 100-500 ms, Release: 500-2000 ms
Effect: Create extreme pitch sweeps for Risers or Impacts, covering a full 8-octave range (-4 to +4 octaves).
| Format | VST3 / Standalone |
| Sample Rate | Any (auto-adaptive) |
| Channels | Mono / Stereo |
| Latency | 0 - 200 ms (adjustable Lookahead) + internal pitch shifter latency |
| LUT Resolution | 1024 points |
| Curve Sampling | 256 points per segment |
| GUI Refresh Rate | 30 Hz |
| Pitch Modes | Repitch / Granular / Varispeed |
| Pitch Range (Repitch) | ±1 - ±24 semitones |
| Pitch Range (Granular) | ±1 - ±24 semitones |
| Pitch Range (Varispeed) | ±1 - ±48 semitones |
| Grain Size | 20 - 200 ms (Granular mode) |
| Pitch Smoothing | 10 ms (prevents zipper noise) |
| Window Size | 900 × 750 pixels |
| Preset Slots | 10 user-saveable curves |
| Download Build | Windows 10+ (x64) |
VenusElasticPitch.vst3 folder to your VST3 plugin directory:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
VenusElasticPitch.exe directly