AUDIO SAMPLERS Comparing Pitch Shifting Capabilities Hardware Samplers vs Software Samplers

AUDIO SAMPLERS. Comparing Pitch Shifting Capabilities. Hardware Samplers vs Software Samplers

Are you able to identify differences in sound quality when audio signals are pitch shifted by hardware and software sampling devices?

Simply read the question below and follow the links referent to each question to open the pages with the audio files.

This survey takes between 15 to 20 min to finish.

For extra information regarding the audio files used in the survey click the following link:

https://sites.google.com/saeinstitute.edu/audio-pitch-shifthing-comparis/audio-files-database

Good luck.

Thank you for participating!!!

Introduction Questions.

This section contains questions that aim to gather information regarding participants age, skills, experience, audio sampling experience, and pitch shifting experience.

What is your age?

Younger than 20

Between 20 years and 30 years

Between 31 years and 40 years

Older than 40 years

Clear selection

What is your profession? *

Musician

Musician/Composer

Composer

Music Producer

Beat Maker

Audio Engineer

Audio Student

Other:

Required

Most used D.A.W. ? *

Pro Tools

Nuendo/Cubase

Ableton Live

Logic

Fruity Loops

Reason

Other:

Required

How often do you use sampling devices in your music production? *

Never

Occasionally

Sometimes

Often

Always

How often do you resort to pitch shifting in your music production? *

I don´t use sampling devices in my productions.

Never

Occasionally

Sometimes

Often

Always

End of Introduction Questions

Critical Listening Questions.

This section contains questions that aim to assess if participants can detect sound quality degradation resulting from the pitch shifting process.

Sonic artefacts such as distortion, crackles, glitches, clicks or pops can be a result of the pitch shifting process.

This section will also challenge participants to be able to distinguish if audio files were pitch shifted by SOFTWARE or HARDWARE sampling devices.

To answer the questions in this section participants are required to audition several pitch shifted audio signals and tick the options that represent their choices.

This section of the survey contains 12 questions. (Numbered from 1 to 12)

NOTE: The audio files won’t playback on Safari browser. If experiencing issues switch to Chrome of Fire Fox on a Mac.

Question Nr 1:

(C Major Scale_Pitch Shifted + 12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 1 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 1: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/12cz7u_JWMsUi7IZmHs23WSJOR9eW2a8l/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 2:

(C Major Scale_Pitch Shifted - 12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 2 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 2: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1-Tt6Zp4bp170faTi33014xzz5pu71zEa/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 3:

(Chord Progression_Pitch Shifted +12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 3 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 3: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/195VmHaF4lnOBSuwcjOt1B-Ids9yzHcmC/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 4:

(Chord Progression_Pitch Shifted -12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 4 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 4: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1oItCAbwfLl7PS9nTZcSUeWF0QT8N3KxY/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 5:

(4 x Snare Shots_Pitch Shifted +12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 5 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 5: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1zxjkwovakQC03LMKhkivpcRaCo6DHkcp/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 6:

(4 x Snare Shots_Pitch Shifted -12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 6 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 6: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1Jbsqe5v8A5tLE3QBXrmDB8QJEdYwtsiA/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 7:

(Funky Drum Loop_Pitch Shifted + 12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 7 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 7: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/158OzH1cdWMr1a8yc2FstgtynR5aXDe63/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 8:

(Funky Drum Loop_Pitch Shifted -12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 8 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 8: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1RBZ3zHzOwrUvrCUVww-GXoq85v2AcUKF/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 9:

(Marvin Gaye Instrumental_Pitch Shifted + 12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 9 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 9: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1666W4czPV_gfto295WIUDBXMh62Qs223/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 10:

(Marvin Gaye Instrumental_Pitch Shifted -12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 10 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 10: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/14bWu2Q5EOxBXJ9rZJK3jX7-olDVawlrS/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 11:

(Marvin Gaye Acapella_Pitch Shifted +12⬆️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 11 was pitch shifted upwards 12⬆️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 11: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/13ku_zmjdcP8jGC5Q_IhADn7pGPTy5fsg/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Question Nr 12:

(Marvin Gaye Acapella_Pitch Shifted -12⬇️ Semitones)

The audio file in GROUP NR: 12 was pitch shifted downwards 12⬇️ semitones by 6 different Sampling devices.

Q. Nr 12: Choose the options that have audible artefacts caused by the pitch shifting process (ex: distortion, crackles or glitches, clicks or pops). If you cannot hear any artefacts don't select any option. https://sites.google.com/u/1/d/1WjoGDkovU_uqGnEWVoMnPm5m9s94VVJv/p/1qDiNc1gGTpnHHRsjFiDZuHwIarwGiI5g/preview?authuser=1

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

End of critical listening section

Pitch Shifting Questions

This following section of this survey aims to assess your general perception regarding the Pitch Shifting process in the context of this A/B test.

Considering a general perception of the audio files presented in all critical listening questions, in your opinion which of these two pitch shifting processes produced higher sonic degradation to the original audio files. (Refer back to critical listening question Nr: 1 to 12)

Pitch shifting 12 semitones upwards ⬆️

Pitch shifting 12 semitones downwards ⬇️

Clear selection

In your opinion, in which of the following audio files you compared previously did you feel that the degradation of the sound quality was more evident. (Refer back to critical listening question Nr: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 )

Major Scale_Saw Wave_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

2 x Ride One Shots_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

4 x Snare One Shots_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

Funky Drum Loop 4 Bars_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

Marvin Gaye_ Let´s Get it On Instrumental_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

Marvin Gaye_ Let´s Get it On Acapella_12 semitones upwards ⬆️

In your opinion, in which of the following audio files you compared previously did you feel that the degradation of the sound quality was more evident. (Refer back to critical listening question Nr: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 )

Major Scale_Saw Wave_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

2 x Ride One Shots_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

4 x Snare One Shots_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

Funky Drum Loop 4 Bars_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

Marvin Gaye_ Let´s Get it On Instrumental_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

Marvin Gaye_ Let´s Get it On Acapella_12 semitones downwards ⬇️

The following letters represent each sampling device used to pitch each audio signal in the critical listening section. Tick all the opinion which the letters in your opinion represent Hardware samplers. (The following letters represent the same order of the sampling devices used in the critical listening questions 1 to 12) *

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Couldn't distinguish Hardware samplers from Software samplers.

Required

In your opinion which sampling devices degraded the audio signals less while conducting the pitch shifting processes? *

Hardware Samplers

Software Samplers

Couldn't distinguish any differences between Pitch Shifting with Hardware samplers and Software samplers.

Required