musictomysoul

The other week I stumbled upon Anytune – the music slow downer app that also allows you to change the key of audio files. Thanks to the folks at Anytune, I got a demo license to give Anytune Pro HQ a try on my iPad. This is a great app for music teachers who want to have “control” over some of the audio files they use with their students.

Have you ever wanted your beginner guitar students to play-along with a recording but it is in the wrong key? How about a piece that your recorder students could perform, if the recording was in an appropriate key? Are you trying to teach a folk dance and need a recording that is a bit slower for your students? Enter Anytune!

Like all of us, I wish I had more time to “play” with this and other apps but after a quick try, I was very impressed with what this app can do. To get started with the app, I selected “Choose a Song” and could see my iTunes Library on my iPad. Songs in black are ready for Anytune; those in grey text are either DRM protected files (and not available to Anytune) or songs that are matched but not yet downloaded to your device. Also, I found that some of the tracks that were in black, were not supported by Anytunes – I haven’t taken time to figure out why – could be DRM protected.

Once the track opens in Anytunes, hide the Song List and you’re ready to begin. For teachers, the simple thing is that you can quickly change the tempo of the song using the + and – buttons. Tempo changes up/down by .05 at a time. Also, easily change the key up/down by a semi-tone. Of course, you can change both the key and the tempo! I gave this a try and was amazed with the sound quality.   Of course, instrumental only recordings sounded better than those with vocals depending on the amount of change you apply to the track. Connect your iPad to an Audio Source or AirPlay with a device and you are ready to go!

Did I mention that when Anytunes loads your audio file, it does a quick analysis and provides the BPM of the track?

Anytunes can do much more than change the key and/or tempo. Have a section that you want your students to rehearse, easily setup a loop. Click the Loop icon to have the A marker appear. With your playhead (red line) at the end section of what you want to loop, click the B marker icon and you are ready to go. Of course, click and hold the A or B marker to easily drag them right or left. Other tools are available to fine tune the loop as well.

Anytunes even imports lyrics if you have them setup in iTunes! If you want to learn more, you should visit the Anytunes website by clicking here. Keep in mind that there are four versions of the app – the free version all the way to the Pro HQ version.

Thanks to the folks at Anytune, I have TWO trial codes for Anytune Pro HQ to give away. These codes are valid for two weeks. Just Retweet this post to be eligible to win and include @shirleylacroix and @AnytuneApp in your tweet. Also, you must follow both @shirleylacroix and @anytuneApp to be eligible. Winners will be contacted by midnight EST on 09/03/12. That’s today – so start Tweeting.