How can you change the key on pro backing tracks ?

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 1 Aug 2016 11:25 am

I have purchased many cds over the years that are recorded professionally where they used real drums, bass, etc. I have put them in my itunes. My question is, can I record these into audacity and change the key on audacity ? (I cant do this directly on itunes can I ?) Seems like I have done this type of thing before, but I dont recall how to do it.
Thanks in advance...I know you guys are a lot more tech savy than me, so if it can be done, I know ones of yous guys will know one way or the other.

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 1 Aug 2016 12:53 pm

Yes, you can do it in audacity. Hit CTRL+ A to select the track once loaded in audacity, then select Effect and Change Pitch. If you go more than two or three half steps either way from the original key it will sound strange and not very useable, but for raising or lowering a whole key should be ok.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 1 Aug 2016 1:57 pm

Thanks Pete

Now how do I get it from my itunes into Audacity...sorry to bother you again.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 2 Aug 2016 5:16 am

OOps, I really meant to post this under the recording section. Sorry.

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 2 Aug 2016 6:19 am

One way is to record with audacity while listening to the track on itunes.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 2 Aug 2016 8:22 am

Thanks, I have several ideas now and will try those.

Jim Kennedy · Post by **Jim Kennedy** » 17 Aug 2016 3:38 pm

There is a music transcription program called Transcribe that I have used for years. They have a version for Mac, so I would assume it would read your itunes music directly if using a mac. IT slows down, speeds up, changes keys and does this for video as well as audio. It does more than I have ever used, but is great for what you are doingk, and it reads just about any format used on PC except quicktime, which the newest version no longer reads. Can't speak fpr apple products.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Aug 2016 2:07 am

I have a Karaoke program and it will change keys.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 18 Aug 2016 4:14 am

I actually got this to work by recording my back up track to my Tascam digital recorder, then recorded it to Audacity, changed the key, and then moved it into my Itunes...probably a little more real time taken up than necessary, but it worked. I cant remember now, but I might have saved some time by importing the file, but the bottom line I got it accomplished and was pleased with the result. Thanks for your input.