Introduction to VocALign
What is VocALign?
VocALign is a process that automatically edits the timing of one audio signal to match another. In this version it is implemented as a stand-alone application that can process audio files directly without needing a specific audio editing package as a host. However this version will also work in conjunction with MOTU’s Digital Performer and several other popular editing systems.
How does VocALign work?
VocALign works by applying varying amounts of time stretching or compression to one signal (called the ‘Dub’) to make its energy peaks and troughs align in time with a ‘Guide’ signal. It does this in three main steps as shown in Figure 2-1.
Fig. 2-1 VocALign block diagram
VocALign analyses the Guide and Dub audio signals using identical spectrum analysers to produce time-varying energy patterns. Then it uses advanced pattern recognition techniques to examine the energy patterns and determine the best way to ‘warp’ the time structure of the Dub signal so that its energy pattern is matched to that of the Guide. The time-warping path describes the best time-distortion of the Dub for matching to the Guide. The time-warping path is fed to an audio editing processor that time-compresses and expands the Dub audio to create the aligned version based on the path. It is this edited version of the Dub that is returned to the audio editing software for the desired use.
Note: In the above diagram, the spectrum analyser colours match those used in the VocALign screen for Guide and Dub audio signals and controls.
How can VocALign help?
If you are a dialogue editor needing to lip-synch vocals, or a music editor needing to tighten-up lead or backing vocals, instrumental tracks, or perform a number of other alignment tasks, then VocALign will help you.
Working without VocALign
A dubbing session for film post-production or music production begins with a guide track. Then the voice-over artist, singer, or musician will dub this as closely as possible.
Because humans are not machines, they will not be able to get exactly in time with the Guide. This is generally not acceptable for lip-synching, nor for double-tracking of vocals or instruments. Often, the next step is to loop-record the more tricky sections individually, but this can break-up the natural flow of the line. Lastly, the editor will attempt manually to cut and nudge individual sections of the new recordings into time with the Guide.
The above process can take many hours for both the artist and the editor.
Working with VocALign
The above process becomes a simple matter of getting the artist to concentrate on creating a great performance, rather than worrying about the fact that it may drift in and out of exact synch with a previous performance. VocALign can then be used to adjust the timing by automatically time-stretching and compressing the material to allow the Dub to take on the same timing pattern as the Guide.
This saves studio time, saves artists time and improves the quality of results. Most importantly, artists are allowed to produce their best performances, free from the rigidity normally associated with dubbing.
