Watch in real-time as Jamie Lidell builds up backing vocal harmonies using a special combination of Pro Tools varispeed and Soundtoys’ Little AlterBoy’s Formant control on "Building A Beginning" from his new album by the same name. Jamie is able to sneak extra layers of detail and texture into his vocal harmonies.

You could use any plug-in that has formant Control to reproduce this effect, but the varispeed part is a little more challenging when it comes to real-time varispeed.

How To Do Varispeed In Pro Tools

Half Speed Playback

Right-clicking the Play button lets you select the Half-Speed playback mode from the pop-up menu or you can initiate playback at half-speed, by pressing Shift+Spacebar (Windows or Mac) or Shift-click (Mac) the Play button.

Half Speed Recording

Pro Tools lets you play and record at half speed. This capability is similar to that of a tape machine where you can record material at half-speed and then play it back at normal speed (faster and up an octave), or record material at normal speed and play it back at half speed (slower and down an octave), for special effects. To record at half speed:

1. Record enable the tracks you want to record at half speed.

2. Click Record in the Transport to arm Pro Tools for recording.

3. Press Command+Shift+Spacebar (Mac) or Control+Shift+Spacebar (Windows). Record- ing begins and all existing track material plays at half speed.

4. When you have finished recording, click Stop.

True Varispeed

For true varispeed you will need a Pro Tools HDX system with a Sync HD unit connected, or an older Pro Tools HD system with a Sync I/O box. You can find full instructions on this in the Sync HD Manual.