Melodyne Essential
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Note-based audio editing
Melodyne Essential grants you unrivaled access to all the musical details in your recordings and samples – note by note. This is made possible by a sophisticated analysis that delves deeply into your recordings and samples, and recognizes and understands the musical relationships within them: the individual notes and their characteristics, the scales, keys and chords, the timing, the tempo, the tone color. And with Melodyne you can edit all these things intuitively. With vocals, but every type of instrument as well – including polyphonic ones, such as the piano and guitar.
Melodyne 5 Essential
The easy way to begin. With Melodyne 5 essential, you edit your vocals using the basic functions for pitch and timing. Musical, quick and easy. And if you need more, you can always upgrade, paying only the difference.
For a Melodyne Editions comparison chart, please see the details tab
Notes and tools
In Melodyne, notes are represented by blobs. By manipulating these with Melodyne’s powerful tools, you can edit (among other things) the pitch, vibrato, volume, sibilants, length, timing and formants of each note. In this way, you can enhance in a musical yet straightforward manner the intonation, phrasing, dynamics and timbre of a performance. While ingenious algorithms ensure your editing’s almost always inaudible, sensitive, and natural.
Melodyne Essential Features
- Notes instead of waveforms. With Melodyne, you see the notes in your recordings and samples, and can manipulate and modify them at will. Even with polyphonic instruments like the piano and guitar.
- Tools and macros. Edit intonation, melody and harmony, but also rhythms and grooves, dynamics, formants and much more. Using intelligent macros or – with great precision – by hand.
- Multitrack Note Editing. See and edit the notes of multiple tracks simultaneously in a single window. Only Melodyne makes music this transparent and tangible.
- All that counts musically. Melodyne also recognizes chords, keys, tunings and tempos. And the editing functions for these important musical parameters are just as comprehensive as for the notes themselves.
- Innovative sound design. Access the overtones of your instruments directly and change their tone color in unique ways. Using an ultra-musical equalizer, resynthesis and morphing.
- Compatibility and user-friendliness. Melodyne can be operated via ARA or as a plug-in directly in a DAW. Or even as a stand-alone program. Its flexible interface adapts perfectly to the requirements of each situation.
Why Melodyne is better
That Melodyne sounds so good and is so simple to use is based on two things. The less important is the technology.
The decisive factor is its understanding of the music.
Melodyne identifies the notes and the relationships between them. It is only as a result of this knowledge that Melodyne’s algorithms are able to “think” and operate in such a musical way. The benefits to you as a musician and producer include the famously superior sound of Melodyne and many other advantages that software lacking this understanding of musical contexts is incapable of offering.
The latest version
With Version 5, Melodyne strengthens its core competence, making its vocal editing functionality even more powerful than before. The most important new features:
- fundamentally improved “Melodic” algorithm
- more musical analysis of pitch deviations
- separate processing of pitched and unpitched (noise) components
- perfect de-esser functionality without side-effects
- Chord Track and chord recognition
- Chord Grid for pitch editing
- Fade Tool and Leveling Macro
- new “Percussive Pitched” algorithm
Description
Essential | Assistant | Editor | Studio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-tracking – view and manage multiple tracks in a single window | ||||
| Multitrack Note Editing – edit the notes of multiple tracks simultaneously | ||||
| Track-transcending macros – apply the macros to multiple tracks simultaneously | ||||
| Quantize to reference track – make one track adopt the timing of another | ||||
| Sound Editor – unique, overtone-based sound design | ||||
| DNA Direct Note Access – algorithms for polyphonic instruments such as piano and guitar | ||||
| Editing of individual notes within chords – with all the tools and macros | ||||
| Extended tempo functions – map and edit sudden or gradual changes of tempo | ||||
| Extended scale functions – create and modify scales; extract scales from audio material | ||||
| Audio-to-MIDI – export notes to a MIDI file | ||||
| Inspectors – swift access to all parameters | ||||
| All Melodyne’s tools – for pitch, formants, volume, timing, sibilants | ||||
| Musically weighted pitch analysis – for psycho-acoustically optimal intonation correction | ||||
| Chord Track and chord recognition – bring notes into line harmonically, extract chords from audio | ||||
| All the algorithms without DNA – for melodic, percussive and complex material | ||||
| Edit note assignments – full control over the algorithms | ||||
| Melodyne’s Main Tool – edit the pitch, position and duration of notes and note separations | ||||
| Macros for pitch, timing, leveling – correct and optimize notes by means of intelligent automation | ||||
| Stand-alone or in your DAW – integrated via ARA , AU, VST 3 or AAX | ||||
| Intercompatibility – open and edit projects created by other editions | ||||
| Compatibility with Melodyne 4 – open and edit Melodyne 4 projects |
System Requirements
macOS
- Intel Dual Core processor (Quad Core or better recommended)
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- macOS 10.12 (64-bit) or higher.
- Melodyne 5.2 supports M1 Macs natively.
Windows
- Intel or AMD Dual Core processor (Quad Core or better recommended)
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Windows 11
- ASIO-compatible audio hardware.
Activation
- Computer-based or iLok USB dongle (2nd or 3rd generation), Melodyne essential only computer-based. Internet access is required for the first activation.
Interfaces
- Plug-in operation via VST3, AU or AAX. ARA integration with compatible DAWs, as set out in the section on DAW compatibility.
The system requirements listed above apply when Melodyne is running as a stand-alone program. When it is running as a plug-in, however, the system requirements of the DAW must also be met. You will find further information regarding DAW compatibility in the following frame.
DAW compatibility
We test Melodyne regularly with the latest version of each DAW but only, of course, with versions of each operating system that have been cleared for use by the DAW manufacturer in question. If you wish to use some other configuration, please check with the manufacturer of your DAW whether it is compatible with your operating system.
You could equally well use the trial version of Melodyne to test this. With it, you can use all the functions of the program without any limitations, free of charge, for 30 days with no obligation. If Melodyne runs well on your system during the trial phase, it will continue to do so once purchased.
See also the tips and information on DAWs in the Help Center as well as in the FAQ.
A note on ARA-compatible DAWs: Since the manufacturers of the various DAWs support ARA Audio Random Access in different ways, the range of ARA functions offered varies from DAW to DAW. You will find details of the ARA support offered in each case in the documentation of the DAW in question.
Avid Pro Tools
We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Pro Tools 2021.10 under:
- Windows 10
- macOS 11.6.1 (Intel)
- macOS 11.6.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please note: Avid has not yet cleared Pro Tools to run under macOS 12.0.1. At present, therefore, Pro Tools and Melodyne are not compatible under macOS 12.0.1.
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Pro Tools in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Apple Logic Pro X
Logic, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Logic Pro 10.7 (ARA) under:
- macOS 12.0.1 (Intel)
- macOS 12.0.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Logic Pro in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Steinberg Cubase
Cubase, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Cubase 11.0.41 (ARA) under:
- Windows 11
- macOS 11.6.1 (Intel)
- macOS 11.6.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Cubase in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Presonus Studio One
Studio One, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Studio One 5.4.1 (ARA) under:
- Windows 10
- macOS 12.0.1 (Intel)
- macOS 12.0.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Studio One in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Cakewalk by Bandlab
Cakewalk, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Cakewalk by Bandlab 2021.09 (ARA) under:
- Windows 11
See also the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Cakewalk in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Ableton Live
We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Live 11.0.11 (VST3) under:
- Windows 10
- macOS 11.6.1 (Intel)
- macOS 11.6.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Live in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
MOTU Digital Performer
We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- DP 11.0 under macOS 10.15 (64-bit, AU)
In the Help Center, you will find detailed information and tips on the use of Melodyne in Digital Performer.
Steinberg Nuendo
Nuendo, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- Nuendo 11.0.20 (ARA) under Windows 10 and macOS 10.15
In the Help Center you will find detailed instructions and tips on the use of Melodyne in Cubase/Nuendo.
Magix Samplitude
Samplitude, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- Samplitude Pro X5 16.2.0 (64-bit) under Windows 10
In the Help Center you will find detailed instructions and tips on the use of Melodyne in Samplitude.
Magix Sequoia
Sequoia, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- Sequoia 15.4.2 (ARA, 64-bit) under Windows 10
In the Help Center you will find detailed instructions and tips on the use of Melodyne in Sequoia.
Acoustica Mixcraft
Mixcraft, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- Mixcraft 9.0.0 (64-bit) under Windows 10
In the Help Center you will find detailed instructions and tips on the use of Melodyne in Mixcraft.
Cockos Reaper
Reaper, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
Reaper 6.3.8 (ARA) under:
- Windows 10
- macOS 11.6.1 (Intel)
- macOS 11.6.1 (Apple Silicon) under Rosetta
Please also take note of the information and tips on the operation of Melodyne in Reaper in the Help Center and in the FAQ.
Magix Sound Forge
Sound Forge, thanks to its support for our ARA Audio Random Access technology, integrates Melodyne in a way that is particularly user friendly. We have tested the latest versions of Melodyne 5 with the following configurations:
- Sound Forge Pro 13.0.95 under Windows 10
In the Help Center you will find detailed instructions and tips on the use of Melodyne in Sound Forge.
License options: iLok
iLok is a service provided by Pace that we offer as an optional supplement to our computer-based activation system (except in the case of essential, the smallest edition of Melodyne).
The iLok USB copy-protection dongle is popular because it can store many licenses and be used on different computers. So it allows you to take your Melodyne activation “on the road” with you if you are constantly moving from one computer to the next and want to use Melodyne on each computer in turn.
Pace offers a variety of license-protection solutions. For technical reasons, we only support one of these i.e. activation by means of an iLok USB dongle, which is available from dealers for around 50 US dollars. The two other varieties (computer-based iLok activation and activation via the iLok Cloud) are not supported by Melodyne.
If you wish to use iLok, you can transfer your Melodyne activation to your iLok account. Your second Melodyne activation is reserved for our own computer-based activation, as an emergency solution, so to speak, if your iLok is not to hand when needed. Additional activations that you may have purchased for your Melodyne license can also be transferred to iLok. Please note that a Melodyne activation that has been transferred to an iLok account cannot be retrieved. So before transferring an activation, you should make sure you really can, and do wish to, use an iLok USB copy-protection dongle to activate Melodyne.
Change Log
New in Version 5.4
The update to Version 5.4 contains improvements and bug fixes, which is why we recommend it to all users.
- Pro Tools and Cubase with ARA: When opening a project with Melodyne, crashes sometimes occurred.
- Pro Tools with ARA: Deleting a clip from a stereo track with Melodyne ARA during playback sometimes led to a crash.
- All versions under Windows: In the event of a faulty connection with the Celemony server, a crash sometimes occurred.
- Studio One with ARA: When using the Fade Tool or closing a session, crashes sometimes occurred.
- ARA: Opening a second tab after opening the Sound Editor sometimes resulted in either a blank user interface or a crash.
- Stand-alone implementation: Under macOS, invoking the Undo function during a copy operation sometimes led to a crash.
- Stand-alone implementation: Crashes sometimes occurred when activating Melodyne.
- Stand-alone implementation: The command “Save and Replace Audio” sometimes resulted in a crash when the audio file being edited was at the same time being used and played back in a DAW.
- Trial version of Melodyne: Interrupting activation under Windows sometimes led to a crash.
- All versions: In the Japanese user interface, an incorrect localization for “Sibilant Handling” was displayed in Note Assignment Mode.
- ARA: The ARA mode is now also displayed correctly in the “About Melodyne” window.
- Stand-alone implementation: Activating the record-enable function via the track view in the Note Editor had no effect on the track pane, where the Record Enable button remained grayed out.
New in Version 5.3.1
The update to Version 5.3.1 contains improvements and bug fixes, which is why we recommend it to all users.
- Pro Tools with ARA: When repeated use was made of the Undo function in Melodyne, under very special circumstances Pro Tools could crash.
- ARA and plug-in: Under certain circumstances, not every note was included in local playback.
- ARA: When creating a new project, the DAW under certain circumstances displayed an error message even though the new project was error-free.
- ARA: When you switched back to Edit Mode from Note Assignment Mode, it could happen that the display scrolled all the way to the top instead of returning to the previous vertical position.
- Studio One: When Studio One was launched, a crash sometimes occurred while the Melodyne plug-in was being scanned.
- Digital Performer: Under rare circumstances, moving blobs could lead to a crash.
- Samplitude: In Melodyne 5.3, it sometimes happened that the ARA files of older projects were muted during playback.
- Stand-alone implementation: In Note Assignment Mode, execution of the “Convert Selection to Connected Sequence” function sometimes led to a crash.
- Stand-alone and ARA: On very high-resolution screens under macOS Monterey, crashes could occur in Full Screen Mode.
- Keyboard shortcuts: The assignments for Track Mode and Clip Mode were erroneously listed under “Editing Tools” instead of “View Configuration”, as they are now.
- Keyboard shortcuts: The Fade Tool and Sibilant Balance Tool now appear directly beneath the Amplitude Tool, which corresponds to the layout in the toolbox.
- Note Assignment Mode: Under certain circumstances when you were editing in Note Assignment Mode, individual notes were not played back.
- Time Handles: When undoing an edit made with the Time Handle Tool, it sometimes happened that the sound of the note in question remained unchanged.
- ARA: When the Universal algorithm was used, a display error (gaps between the blobs) sometimes occurred when blobs were being edited.
New in Version 5.3
The update to Version 5.3 contains improvements and bug fixes, which is why we recommend it to all users. Moreover, Melodyne 5.3 is required for ARA integration into Pro Tools 2022.9.
New features and improvements
- Surround: In both ARA and Transfer modes, Melodyne can now also be used for the editing of tracks in the standard surround formats.
- ARA in Pro Tools: Melodyne 5.3 comes with all the technical prerequisites for ARA integration into Pro Tools from Version 2022.9 upwards and thus makes a significantly improved workflow in Pro Tools possible.
- Preferences: When Melodyne is employed for the first time as a plug-in, it loads the set of keyboard shortcuts corresponding to the DAW you are using.
Bug fixes
- Recording: In the stand-alone implementation of Melodyne, you can now also use a recording device with a mono input (e.g. a MacBook microphone).
- ARA in Cubase: When moving an ARA event to a track that is not selected, the selection in Melodyne is now retained.
- Pro Tools: The position of the playback cursor in Melodyne is now correctly updated even when playback is stopped.
- AAX in Pro Tools: When bouncing/committing, Melodyne now correctly evaluates the offline setting.
- The Correct Pitch macro: When the macro was applied to a very large number of notes simultaneously, Melodyne would sometimes freeze. This no longer happens.
- Preferences: Previously, in ARA mode, the keyboard shortcut for “Playback Selection” was erroneously listed under “Others” instead of under “Transport Bar”. This has been fixed.
- The Note Inspector: The input field for Sibilant Balance now reliably accepts input even when multiple tracks are being edited simultaneously.
- ARA in Cakewalk by Bandlab: Under certain circumstances, Melodyne would crash when loading a session. This has been fixed.
- Ableton Live: The cause of random crashes when Melodyne was running in Live 11.1.1 under macOS Monterey on a Mac with an M1 chip has been detected and eliminated.
- Note editing: The “Restore Original” commands in the Edit menu now behave more consistently in the stand-alone implementation, in the Transfer plug-in and under ARA.
Melodyne 5.2 is now native on Apple M1
In its new Version 5.2, Melodyne now supports both Intel chips and the new M1 processors on Apple computers allowing Melodyne to run natively on the latest Macs and take full advantage of their power. This applies to all editions of Melodyne, whether in stand-alone mode or as a plug-in – also via ARA – in almost all compatible DAWs. Melodyne 5.2 contains numerous improvements and bug fixes for macOS and Windows and for operation in all DAWs. Celemony, therefore, recommends the update to all users.
ARA: Improvements in the playback functions, selection, cache management, and blob monitoring.
Operation: Minor improvements in the scale functions, optimizations, and bug fixes in all areas of the user interface.
Compatibility: Optimized operation in all DAWs, correct assignment of file name extensions under Windows.
Melodyne 5.2 is available immediately as a free update to all users of Melodyne 5.
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