← All modules

@maru shared this module so you can build on it and use it in your DAW.

AvailableMIDI & Modulation

Pitch Shift

Transpose notes by semitones and octaves.

About

A MIDI transposer. Every note that passes through moves by a fixed number of semitones and octaves; timing and velocity stay exactly as you played them.

Controls

  • Semitones shifts notes from 36 semitones down to 36 up.
  • Octave adds whole octaves on top, from three down to three up. The two add together, so the total shift can reach six octaves either way.
  • The Transpose on / Pass through switch takes the shift in and out. In Pass through, notes go by unchanged and your settings are kept for when you switch back.

The panel shows what happens to a reference note, middle C (C4, MIDI note 60), at the current settings. It is a fixed example, not a display of the notes you are playing.

Getting started

Place Pitch Shift between a MIDI source, such as a keyboard, a sequencer or a clip, and an instrument. Set the interval and play. Pitch Shift handles MIDI only; it does not change the pitch of audio.

Two things to know:

  • A note that would land outside the MIDI range (0 to 127) is dropped rather than wrapped around or squeezed to the nearest note.
  • Release held notes before you change the transpose. A note that is held while you turn the knob can be released on a different note from the one that started it, which can leave it hanging.

How it works.

Every noteOn and noteOff has its MIDI note number offset by the sum of semitones and octave×12. The result is clamped to 0–127; notes that fall outside are suppressed entirely. The velocity and timing are untouched.

What would you make with Pitch Shift?

Describe what you want to make. Build it with the Studio agent.

Goes well with.

Building block

Shape, compress, or randomize note velocities.

Building block

Turn single notes into chords.

Building block

Add timing and velocity jitter for human feel.

Building block

Walk held notes through a rhythmic pattern.