Amazing Slow Downer by Roni Music was one of the first software programs available to slow down music. Like most programs available, Amazing Slow Downer (ASD) can speed up or slow down the tempo,
without changing the pitch.
Tempo or speed change settings range from 20% to 150%. Pitch change settings are done in increments of a semitone and range 12 semitones or one octave in each direction. ASD also has a built in equalizer and a loop editor. A screen capture appears below.
Song Surgeon, shown to the immediate left, is a new software program with all of the same functions and more. Song Surgeon is more user friendly because it relies upon a graphical interface of image buttons, rather than relying upon keyboard navigation menus. This is most evident with the loop editor
where the wave-
form of a song is displayed and the loop beginning and ending points can be set graphically, by viewing the wave form file. ASD requires these endpoints to be set using a counter system as displayed above.
Song Surgeon also provides access to a greater range of file formats, great pitch adjustment and greater tempo changes.
The slow down technology found in these software programs is an extremely valuable tool for musicians. By slowing a song or part of a song down, the notes that are being played can be heard. Not only can the notes be individually heard but the subtle nuances of HOW a note is being played can also be determined. Practice loops can be created for segments of songs that have been slowed down that allow musicians to play along at the reduced speed helping them to master a song or a solo more quickly than they otherwise would be able to. The table below provides a quick summary of these differences. The entries in with red text indicate an increased or better feature when compared to the other software program.
| Amazing Slow Downer Song Surgeon |
| File Formats |
mp3, mp4, aiff, wav, mp1, mp2, wma, ogg, mp4a, acc, DRM protected |
mp3, mp4, aiff, wav, mp1, mp2, wma, ogg, mp4a, acc |
| Tempo Adjustment |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tempo Adj. Range |
20-200% |
5-400% |
| Pitch Adjustment |
Yes |
Yes |
| Pitch Adj. Range |
1 octave up/down |
2 octaves up/down |
| Equalizer |
Yes |
Yes |
| Equalizer Presets |
Limited |
Unlimited |
| Loop Editor |
Yes |
Yes |
| Loop Settings |
Numerical counter |
Visual with mouse |
| Ripping Function |
Yes |
Yes |
| MAC Version |
Yes |
No, but very soon |
Iphone, Ipod
Version |
Yes |
No |
| Support |
Email Only |
Email, 24/7 Help Desk, Phone |
| Language Support |
English |
English, Dutch, Spanish, French, German |
Song Surgeon comes with a 90 day, U-Decide money back guarantee. For more information on Song Surgeon, please go to the Song Surgeon home page.
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