
Melodyne FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find the answers to a large number of questions that might occur to you in your daily work with Melodyne. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please visit our user-to-user forum or get in touch with our support staff.
System Requirements/Compatibility
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What are the system requirements for Melodyne?
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For all Melodyne editions:-

Dual (Core) PowerPC G5 or Intel Dual Core processor, 2 GB RAM, OS X 10.4 or later

Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2 GB RAM, Windows XP (SP2 or SP3), Windows Vista or Windows 7, ASIO-compatible audio hardware
Additionally, Melodyne editor or Melodyne assistant, when being used as a plug-in, require an RTAS, VST or AU host (e.g. Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase ...). See the list of compatible hosts.
When using Melodyne in plug-in mode, please note that the RAM recommendation relates to a minimal combination of host and Melodyne. If you are working within your host with additional effects and/or other plug-ins or multiple instances of Melodyne, your computer needs a sufficient amount of RAM. As is always the case, having more RAM helps a great deal, making audio software function more smoothly and reliably.
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Does Melodyne support Windows with 64 bit?
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Yes. Although the current Melodyne editions are 32-bit applications, they can be used with Vista 64 or Windows 7. They cannot make use of more RAM than 2 GB though, but there are no restrictions regarding sound quality or processing speed compared to situations where they run under Win XP or Vista 32.
[editor, assistant, plugin]
In order to run 32-bit plug-ins in a 64-bit host sequencer, such as Cubase 5 or Sonar 8 x64, these sequencers take care of the conversion between 32 and 64 bit with their built-in "bit map" or "bit bridge" functionality. Currently Melodyne is showing some problems with these bit conversions. For users of Sonar or Cubase we therefore recommend to use the 32-bit version of their program (even when using Vista 64 or Windows 7).
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Which file formats does Melodyne support?
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All editions of Melodyne are compatible with the formats AIFF (Mac/PC), WAV (Mac/PC) and SD II (Mac), in each case in 8-, 16- or 24-bit resolution at sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz.
Melodyne studio can also read and write files using sampling rates of 176.4 and 196 kHz as well as 32-bit AIFF/WAV formats. Depending on their host, the plug-in versions of Melodyne editor and Melodyne assistant also support up to 192 kHz and 32 bit.
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Can I use Melodyne as a plug-in?
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Melodyne editor and Melodyne assistant are stand-alone programs, but they can also run as plug-ins (VST, AU, RTAS) in your compatible DAW. Melodyne essential RTAS runs as an RTAS plug-in in Pro Tools.
Melodyne studio does not have a generic plug-in mode; it is a stand-alone program. With the help of the MelodyneBridge, however, it can also be integrated into a host DAW as though it was a plug-in.
How do I connect Melodyne to other audio programs?
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Which audio interfaces can I use with Melodyne?
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It depends which driver your audio interface is accessing. Melodyne supports interfaces with the following driver formats:-

ASIO

CoreAudio
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Can Melodyne open files of any size or is this determined by the amount of available RAM?
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[editor, assistant, essential RTAS, plugin]
The RAM consumption of Melodyne editor, Melodyne assistant and Melodyne essential RTAS strongly depends on the files you are using. With melodic or percussive files you will notice that these editions need even less RAM than Melodyne plugin. On the other hand, with polyphonic files in Melodyne editor the RAM usage can be higher – this is depending on the musical content of the files and can therefore not be foreseen in any MB-per-minute calculation.
Whenever you encounter any RAM shortage on your system, there are a few strategies you can use to minimize the RAM consumption. First off you need to know that during and shortly after each transfer the RAM consumption is much higher than a while after the process. Therefore multiple simultaneous transfers temporarily increase the RAM usage a lot. A workaround for this would be to transfer tracks one after the other.
Often there is no need to transfer a track from the very beginning to its very end. Instead it is much more efficient to transfer only the part you currently want to edit. Even when you end up with having transferred the whole track in the end, you will have lower peak values of RAM consumption when you do it part by part and track by track.
And one last tip on saving RAM: certain DAWs will have a growing RAM usage simply because you are using them over hours. Therefore it's a good idea to save, quit, and restart your DAW from time to time.
[studio, plugin]
With Melodyne studio, Melodyne plugin and other older Melodyne editions, the amount of available RAM affects the speed of the detection process and in this way has a bearing upon the maximum overall length of an audio file. The precise amount of RAM needed for this detection process depends upon the playing time of the file and its sample rate. It is NOT dependent upon the wordlength of the samples (16, 24 or 32 bits); NOR is it dependent upon the number of channels (mono or stereo).
For this reason, any calculation of the amount of RAM needed has to be based not on the size of the file but upon its duration and sample rate.
The following table offers an overview:-
512 MB
1 GB RAM
2 GB RAM
3 GB RAM or more
44 kHz
5 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
96 kHz
3 minutes
6 minutes
18 minutes
24 minutes
192 kHz
1 minutes
3 minutes
10 minutes
13 minutes
The lengths given refer to the length of one file (not the total time of all the files used in an arrangement). If, according to this table, your computer possesses insufficient RAM for a given file, it will need to use your hard disk to make up for the shortage of RAM, and do so perhaps several times for individual segments. This will result in the detection process being drawn out to an inordinate extent.
As you approach the maximum values listed in this table, there will be a tendency for the system to slow down and even become unstable and crash. To avoid this, we recommend breaking up long files into smaller units that can then be detected one after the other. This will make the entire procedure more fluid as well as more secure.
Installation/De-Installation
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How do I install Melodyne?
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If you have downloaded the Melodyne installation program from the Celemony web site, you are ready to install (see below). If on the other hand you have purchased a boxed version of Melodyne, you are well advised to make sure that you have the recent program version. Log into your myCelemony account (or open a new account with your serial number) and download the latest installer from there.
Where can I find my Melodyne serial number?
To install Melodyne, launch the installation program (it may be necessary to unpack the installation program with a double-click). Simply follow the onscreen instructions for the installation. After the installation you have to activate Melodyne with the built-in activation assistant in order to use it permanently.
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What files are copied to the computer or created in the course of installation?
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Please choose your platform:
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[plugin]
Depending on your choice during the installation process, one or more of the following files will be installed:-
RTAS: Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\dae\Plug-ins\
Melodyne plugin.dpm
VST: The file Melodyne plugin.dll is placed in the folder you have selected during the installation process.No matter what plug-in format you choose to install, a folder named Melodyne plugin is created inside your application folder. It contains the documentation and two audio examples.
When launching the program for the first time a preferences file will be created holding your preferred user settings. Under Windows this file is located in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Celemony Software GmbH\
melodyneplugin[essential/uno/cre8/studio]
The installation program writes all files to the Melodyne application folder, which by default is:
C:\Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne 3.x\
though in the course of the installation you are offered an opportunity of specifying a different location if you prefer.
When launching the program for the first time a preferences file will be created holding your preferred user settings. Under Win XP this file is located close to the program itself:
C:\Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne 3.x\Melodyne.pref
Under Vista the preferences will be placed somewhere else:
C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\Celemony Software GmbH
Current Melodyne versions will store your license data in separate files, named (accordingly to the Melodyne edition) MelodyneEssential.license, MelodyneUno.license or MelodyneStudioCre8.license. Under Win XP you will find this file in the directory
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses
Under Vista it is located in the directory
C:\ProgramData\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses
Note: In older versions of Melodyne (studio before 3.2, uno/essential before 1.8) the license file is located in the same directory as the preferences.
To permit your sequencing application to access the VST version of the MelodyneBridge (cre8 and studio only), copy the file MelodyneBridge.dll to the VST plug-ins folder of your sequencer at the end of the installation.
Registry entries
In the course of the Melodyne installation, a new entry is added to the Windows Registry. In the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Propellerhead Software/
ReWire/MelodyneRewireDevice, the key Device Path is created. This points to the corresponding DLL file in the Melodyne application folder. Finally, the DXiMelodyneBridge.dll is registered with the system as DXi-Synth.An overview of the files added to your system in the course of the Melodyne installation
[cre8/studio]
You will find the application itself as well as introductory examples in the folder:-
/Applications/Melodyne 3.xFor ReWire and Bridge modes, the files needed are:-
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/
MelodyneRewireDevice
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/
MelodyneRewireDevice.plugin
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/MelodyneBridge.vst
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/MelodyneBridge.component
/Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins/MelodyneBridge.dpmThe Preferences file is created when Melodyne is first launched:
/User/Library/Preferences/Melodyne PreferencesThis file contains your preferred user settings. If you rename or move this file, a new one will be created automatically next time you launch the application.
Your license file can be found here:
/Library/Application Support/Celemony/Licenses/
MelodyneStudioCre8.licenseNote: In older versions of Melodyne (studio before 3.2, uno/essential before 1.8) the license file is located in the same directory as the preferences.
[plugin]
You will find the documentation as well as two related audio examples in the folder:-
/Applications/Melodyne pluginDepending on your choice during the installation process, one or more of the following files will be installed:-
RTAS: Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins/Melodyne plugin.dpm
AU: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Melodyne plugin.component
VST: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Melodyne plugin.vstThe Preferences file is created when Melodyne is first launched:
/User/Library/Preferences/com.celemony.melodyneplugin.prefsThis file contains your preferred user settings. If you rename or move this file, a new one will be created automatically next time you launch the application.
[uno/essential]
The filenames are the same as those listed under cre8/studio with the obvious difference that Melodyne 3.x is replaced by MelodyneUno 1.x or MelodyneEssential 1.x as the case may be. Similarly, in place of the file MelodyneRewireDevice, you will find files named MelodyneUnoRewireDevice or MelodyneEssentialRewireDevice, and in place of Melodyne Preferences it will be MelodyneUno Preferences or MelodyneEssential Preferences. The license file is called MelodyneUno.license or MelodyneEssential.license.
Contrary to Melodyne cre8 and studio, there are no MelodyneBridge files with Melodyne uno and essential.
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Please choose your platform:
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Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and select whichever version of Melodyne it is that you wish to be removed.
Then delete the following files:-
[plugin]
If you have installed RTAS:
Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Plug-ins\Melodyne plugin.dpm
If you have installed the VST version, remove Melodyne plugin.dll from the folder you selected during the installation process.
Deleting your preferences
[essential]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneEssential\MelodyneEssential.pref
[uno]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneUno\MelodyneUno.pref
[cre8 and studio]
Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne.3.x\Melodyne.pref
[plugin]
From the Windows start menu choose Run and enter regedit. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Celemony Software GmbH\
melodyneplugin and delete this entry.Manual de-installation of the Melodyne ReWire device
[essential]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneEssential\EssentialReWireDevice.dll
[uno]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneUno\UnoReWireDevice.dll
[cre8 and studio]
Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne.3.x\MelodyneReWireDevice.dll
Removing License file
Under Win XP you remove the file MelodyneEssential.license, MelodyneUno.license or MelodyneStudioCre8.license which can be found in the directory
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses
Under Vista the file to be removed is located at
C:\ProgramData\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses
In case you are using an older version of Melodyne please remove the following files:-
[essential before version 1.8]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneEssential\MelodyneEssential.lic
[uno before Version 1.8]
Program Files\Celemony\MelodyneUno\MelodyneUno.lic
[cre8 and studio before Version 3.2]
Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne.3.x\Melodyne.lic
If ever you delete the license file accidentally, you can recreate this file by activating Melodyne again with the activation assistant (Windows > License).
Note: in case of older program versions (without the activation assistant) you can submit a request to have your license data sent to you again. Just send an e-mail to registration@celemony.com.
Removing the MelodyneBridge
[cre8 and studio only]
MelodyneBridge.dll (you will find this file in the VstPlugins folder of your audio sequencer)
Delete the following files:-
[cre8/studio]
/Applications/Melodyne 3.x
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/MelodyneRewireDevice
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/ MelodyneRewireDevice.plugin
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/MelodyneBridge.vst
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/MelodyneBridge.component
/Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins/MelodyneBridge.dpm
/User/Library/Preferences/Melodyne Preferences
/Library/Application Support/Celemony/Licenses/
MelodyneStudioCre8.license
Note: in case of older program versions (before 3.2) remove the license file:
/User/Library/Preferences/Melodyne License[plugin]
/Applications/Melodyne plugin
/User/Library/Preferences/com.celemony.melodyneplugin.prefsand, depending of your choice during the original installation process:-
RTAS: Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins/Melodyne plugin.dpm
AU: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Melodyne plugin.component
VST: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Melodyne plugin.vst[uno/essential]
The filenames are the same as those listed under cre8/studio with the obvious difference that Melodyne 3.x is replaced by MelodyneUno 1.x or MelodyneEssential 1.x as the case may be. Similarly, in place of the file MelodyneRewireDevice, you will find files named MelodyneUnoRewireDevice or MelodyneEssentialRewireDevice, and in place of Melodyne Preferences it will be MelodyneUno Preferences or MelodyneEssential Preferences. The license files will have different names as well, they are located in the directory:
/Library/Application Support/Celemony/Licenses/
or – in case of versions before 1.8 – in the directory:
/User/Library/Preferences/
Contrary to Melodyne cre8 and studio, there are no MelodyneBridge files with Melodyne uno and essential.
Updates, Upgrades and the Web Shop
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How do I know about an update for my Melodyne and where do I get it?
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During online activation, Melodyne checks if a later version than the one installed is available. Afterwards, please check manually for updates from time to time. One easy way to do this is by choosing Check for Updates in the Help menu.
If the computer you use for music is not connected to the Internet, here's how to find out whether or not an update is available for your copy of Melodyne:-
Check which version of Melodyne you are using; this is displayed at the program's start-up but can also be checked by selecting the About… item in the menu
Visit the download area of the Celemony web site and see whether a newer version is available; all current versions are listed there
If there is a newer version, log in to myCelemony and download the relevant installation program from your user account.Major updates (for example from Melodyne studio 2.x to studio 3) must be purchased from a music dealer or from our web shop.
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Is it advisable to remove older versions of Melodyne before updating?
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Yes. Before installing updates or patches, it is a good idea beforehand to uninstall older versions of Melodyne and individual components such as the MelodyneBridge. To do this, follow the instructions given under:-
How can I remove Melodyne from my computer
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What upgrades are possible between the various editions of Melodyne?
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You can upgrade from any edition of Melodyne to any of the larger versions i.e. you are not limited to upgrading to the version immediately above the one you already have (e.g. from Melodyne essential to Melodyne assistant); you can go from one of the smallest versions to the largest in one bound (e.g. from Melodyne essential to Melodyne studio), the cost being simply the difference between the recommended retail prices of the two versions.
Learn more about all upgrade options on this page.
Upgrades are available not only from music stores but also from our Web Shop. If you are ordering an upgrade from the Web Shop, you must enter your registered Serial Number, so have it ready before you begin. If purchasing your update from a music store, you will not need your Serial Number until you come to activate the studio version.
Where can I find my Serial Number?
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After upgrading from Melodyne cre8 to studio it looks like I'm still on Melodyne cre8
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Don't worry – you have purchased Melodyne studio, but before you can use it you have to delete the old license file first and then do a new activation.
To do so, proceed like this:
After the upgrade please delete the file:
/Library/Application Support/Celemony/Licenses/
MelodyneStudioCre8.license
[Win XP]
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses\MelodyneStudioCre8.license
[Vista]
C:\ProgramData\Celemony Software GmbH\Licenses\
MelodyneStudioCre8.license
Now, activate Melodyne studio using the built-in assistant.
How do I activate Melodyne?
By the way: you can delete the license file and renew it with a new activation as many times as you like. As long as this is done on the same computer, you won't be charged any extra activation credit from your my Celemony account. -
Can I carry on using my Melodyne license after an upgrade?
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No. When you purchase an upgrade, you register with the current version and a new Serial Number, at which point the old Serial Number is deactivated.
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I own Melodyne studio. Where do I get Melodyne editor for free?
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If you purchased your copy of Melodyne studio bundle after 16th November 2009:
Register and activate your copy of Melodyne, if you have not already done so.
How do I activate Melodyne?
Log in to myCelemony.
You will see Melodyne editor listed directly in your product overview. Download the latest installation program for Mac or PC (use the Load Installer link next to Melodyne editor).
Doubleclick the file to install Melodyne editor on your system.Before 16th November 2009, Melodyne studio used to be bundled with Melodyne plugin. If you have registered such a plug-in for the first time after 12th March 2008, then you are also entitled to a free update to Melodyne editor. In your product overview in myCelemony, you will see a hint and instructions for the free update.
Natually, you can also upgrade a copy of Melodyne plugin, that you have already registered before 12th March 2008, but then a fee is required for the upgrade:
In your local music store or our web shop, purchase the upgrade.
In your product overview in myCelemony, navigate to the options for Melodyne plugin.
Click on Perform Update/Upgrade and follow the instructions.Tip: As a user of Melodyne studio 2.6 you might want to upgrade to Melodyne studio 3.x, after which you are also entitled to obtain a free Melodyne editor copy.
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I entered my credit card details when ordering from the web shop but received no confirmation.
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This is probably the result of a transmission failure in the course of the order. First, though, make sure the confirmation e-mail from shop@celemony.com hasn't found its way into your spam folder.
If you still can't find it, please send an e-mail to shop@celemony.com and we will contact you as soon as possible and resolve the problem without delay.
License and Activation
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To »activate« means to authorize the use of your copy of Melodyne on a particular computer. You have to activate Melodyne before you can use it for any length of time. We distinguish three ways of activating Melodyne:
Online activation: Melodyne establishes a direct internet connection with the myCelemony server. Therefore your music computer requires to be hooked up to the Internet
Offline activation: this is done by exporting and importing small files. Your music computer does not have to be online, but you need to have access to the Internet from any other computer (office, Internet café, …)
iLok: this involves the use of an iLok copy protection dongle from PACE and requires you to own an iLok dongle and be capable of accessing the Internet from any computer (office, Internet café, …).An activation assistant integrated into Melodyne offers you all the options mentioned above and guides you through all the steps necessary for registration and activation. The assistant runs automatically the first time you launch Melodyne.
Older Melodyne versions do not have the activation assistant yet. Therefore, please make sure that you always install the recent program version. The latest installer can be downloaded from your myCelemony account.
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What to do if I don‘t have any Internet connection at all?
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If you have no access to the Internet, you can request an activation from Celemony by post. Choose the Offline Activation in the Activation assistant inside Melodyne and export the request file for the activation. Burn the file onto a CD and send us the CD. You will then receive from us an activation file on CD, which you will then be able to import exactly as though you had downloaded it from myCelemony. Please do not forget to send us your address! Our address is:
Celemony Software GmbH
Valleystrasse 25
81371 Munich
Germany
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What to do in case of activation problems?
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If you have any problems with the activation, please consult our support at registration@celemony.com.
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What do »Registration« and »myCelemony« mean?
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Registration means opening a user account in the myCelemony area of the Celemony web site. This happens in conjunction with the activation of Melodyne. You can then access this account from any computer hooked up to the Internet by entering your user name and password.
Your myCelemony account consists of a customer profile and a hierarchically arranged product display. There you can:-
see all the Celemony products you have activated as well as their activation status;
download the latest installation programs for your products as well as the corresponding updates;
in some cases, download other Celemony products at a favorable price or else free of charge;
choose which type of Celemony newsletter you wish to receive and edit your other user data. -
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You can find your Melodyne Serial Number either in the printed Melodyne manual or in the the e-mail we sent you as a receipt when you purchased Melodyne from our online store. If your Melodyne has already been activated, you will also find your serial number in the Window > License menu.
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One Serial Number of Melodyne can be activated on two computers. Obviously, since we're talking about a single license here, this only entitles you to use Melodyne on one of the two authorized computers at a time; if you need more than this — i.e. to be able to use Melodyne on several computers simultaneously (because you run a studio with multiple workstations, for example) —, you can purchase special supplementary licenses at a reduced price from our Web Shop. Multiple-user licenses are only available for Melodyne studio.
Alternatively, you can use Melodyne with the iLok USB dongle from PACE (www.pace.com); this entitles you to use Melodyne on as many computers as you like provided the dongle is inserted in the USB port.
How does the iLok dongle work?
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Deactivation How can I transfer my activation to a new computer?
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If you are selling your computer or no longer wish to use it for making music, you can and should deactivate Melodyne. (Obviously this is only possible if Melodyne has been activated on the computer, not if you are using an iLok to activate it). Once you have deactivated Melodyne, your myCelemony user account can be credited with a new activation, which you can use for your new computer. Deactivation is performed using Melodyne's activation assistant – please visit the manual for details.
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Transferring ownership: How can I transfer my Melodyne license to a purchaser?
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If you are selling a registered version of Melodyne, you need to report the sale to registration@celemony.com giving your own postal and e-mail addresses, your Serial Number and the name, postal address and e-mail address of the purchaser. Then be sure to deactivate the software completely from your computer. Once the verification procedure has been successfully completed, Celemony will alter the customer registration.
Deactivation – How can I transfer my activation to a new computer?
How can I remove Melodyne from my computer?
Attention: If you have used an iLok dongle for activating Melodyne, please be aware that you must not transfer your iLok license to the new owner.
Note: You can only transfer the ownership of normal registered versions of Melodyne — not of press or NFR versions. If you obtained Melodyne editor (or before 16th November 2009: Melodyne plugin) for free as a registered user of Melodyne studio, this product can only be sold bundled with Melodyne studio and not as a separate product.
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Transferring ownership: I bought Melodyne second hand. What do I have to do?
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Second-hand versions of Melodyne have to be registered with us and activated just like new ones. Since, however, the versions will already have been registered once, the registration will have to be transferred by the original owner before you - as the new owner - can apply to re-register it.
To do this, you will have to contact Celemony with written proof of the purchase of the copy of Melodyne in question either by sending an e-mail to registration@celemony.com or by writing to:
Celemony Software GmbH
Valleystrasse 25
81371 Munich
Germany
Note: For unregistered copies of Melodyne that have never been installed, no transfer of ownership is necessary.
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The iLok dongle is a copy-protection device capable of storing licenses for the software of various manufacturers; this allows the programs and plug-ins covered by the licenses to be installed on multiple computers and used whenever the iLok dongle is inserted in the USB port.
To use Melodyne, it is not necessary to use an iLok; you can activate Melodyne equally well without one using the normal activation procedure, but the activation is then tied to the computer in question, which does not allow you to move easily from computer to computer taking Melodyne with you, as you can with the dongle.
All Melodyne versions come with a free iLok option. Melodyne essential RTAS does not have the iLok option.
To activate Melodyne using an iLok, you need to:-
Purchase an iLok copy protection dongle and open an iLok account at www.ilok.com (unless you already have done it).
iLoks can be purchased from your local music store; Celemony does not sell iLok dongles.
Transfer the Melodyne license to your iLok account
This is done on the myCelemony page, which will be opened for you by the activation assistant from within Melodyne.
Transfer the Melodyne license from your iLok account to your iLok dongle
This is done at www.ilok.com, where you will also find further instructions.Note: If you opt for iLok activation, you will no longer be entitled to a computer-specific activation from Celemony.
Please read the Melodyne manual for more details regarding the activation via iLok.
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After purchasing your iLok dongle from a music store, you have to register it. Visit www.ilok.com and select Sign up, where you will be asked to submit various details and choose a User ID.
If ever you forget your User ID, you will have to contact iLok.com and ask to be reminded of it.
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What do I have to bear in mind for a successful iLok activation?
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If you wish to use an iLok from PACE for the activation of Melodyne, you need to be aware above all of the following points:-
Once you have opted for iLok activation, you can no longer request any computer-specific activations from myCelemony. Your iLok, in other words, becomes the exclusive 'access key' to Melodyne.
Celemony can accept no liability in the case of loss or damage for a license that has been transferred to an iLok. Please make sure that your iLok is suitably insured. You will find information about this, too, at www.ilok.com. -
Melodyne failed to recognize my iLok dongle although it works with other programs
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The iLok works for all applications and plug-ins for which it carries a license, but these licenses are not transferred automatically to the dongle. In fact, when you buy it, the dongle is empty. So, first you have to buy the licenses, and then transfer them to the dongle. To learn more about this license transfer see the Melodyne manual or follow this link:
How does the iLok dongle work?
Also make sure you are using the latest version of the iLok software — i.e. the driver provided by the manufacturer, PACE, which you can download from the PACE site http://www.paceap.com/download.html. Select Download Drivers from the list box in the END USERS pane at the top and commence the download from the window that appears.
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How can I switch to iLok when I've already activated my Melodyne?
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If you have already activated your Melodyne on a computer, the program is ready to run, and the activation assistant no longer displays further activation options – not even the one for the transfer of your license to an iLok. You can still request a transfer, though, in your myCelemony account at any time.
Please note that there is no iLok option for Melodyne essential RTAS.
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I have Melodyne on the iLok. It works at home but not in another studio
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Obviously Melodyne is correctly activated on your iLok (otherwise you wouldn't be able to use Melodyne at home either). The problem must lie with the computer in the other studio. Please make sure the same edition of Melodyne is installed on both computers.
Tip: You can log in to your myCelemony account from the computer in the other studio and download the latest installation program of your Melodyne edition.
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Can I use my Melodyne license on two iLoks simultaneously?
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No. When you purchase Melodyne, you acquire one license to use the program. If you purchase the iLok option, you can use Melodyne on several different computers but not simultaneously; only one after the other; and always on the computer in which the iLok dongle is currently inserted, since this is your current workplace.
The picture is no different without the iLok: you have one license and the activations for two computers only, so that you can authorize your copy of Melodyne, for example, on both your studio computer and your laptop; but you are only permitted to use Melodyne on one of the two authorized computers at the same time. See also:
How many computers can I activate Melodyne on?
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Can I use sounds from the Melodyne Sound Library without copyright in my own productions?
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Naturally — that's what they're there for. You can use the sounds (whether altered drastically or not at all) in your production and publish it without any restrictions. Problems will only arise if you use a melody — regardless of whether the sounds came from us or some other source — that someone else has thought of ahead of you and which is protected by copyright.
Another thing you cannot do is sell the sounds in the Melodyne Sound Library or copy them and pass them on to someone else.
To sum up, then: Making music with the samples and publishing or selling it is allowed. Copying or selling the samples is not.
Playback, Recording and Editing
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Does Melodyne correct the pitch automatically?
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Yes, but only if you specifically ask it to. By default, Melodyne does not correct the pitch of an audio file automatically. After all, we wouldn't want to prevent users intervening more selectively or adopting an individual approach to the task of pitch correction should they choose to do so. Nonetheless, automatic pitch correction to the nearest semitone or scale tone is, of course, possible in Melodyne, if you proceed as follows:-
Select the notes the pitch of which you want corrected automatically
Note: Not selecting any notes is equivalent in this case to selecting the entire track
with Edit > Correct Pitch you open the corresponding pitch correction window:

using the sliders, determine the intensity of the automatic pitch correction. Different levels of intensity can be selected for the correction of the Pitch Center and Pitch Drift. Settings in this window only affect the notes previously selected. -
How do I create harmonies from a vocal recording?
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[studio]
Use the multi-track capabilities of Melodyne studio. First copy the vocal part to additional tracks, proceeding as follows:-
in the Edit window, select the notes to which you intend to add harmonies

click and hold the SHIFT and ALT keys whilst dragging the selected notes to a different pitch. The notes selected will be copied and transposed to a different pitch. As you move them, you can hear the results.

A separate track will be assigned automatically to the notes copied in this way. This can then be edited and mixed independently of the source material. To create additional harmonies and tracks just repeat the steps described above.Note: Here you see an overview of the content of several tracks. If you click on a note (a blob), all the blobs belonging to the same track will turn red (whilst the blobs belonging to other tracks remain yellow). The name of the track in question will be shown in the top right-hand corner of the window:-

[editor, assistant & essential RTAS]
In your host sequencer, copy the vocal part to several additional tracks. For each vocal part, insert a new plug-in instance of Melodyne in the corresponding mixer channel. Now transfer all the tracks, or parts thereof, to their corresponding plug-in. In each instance of Melodyne you can now create an individual vocal part.
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Can I record in Loop mode?
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No. Melodyne does not support recording in Loop mode. Loop mode cycles the playback but is deactivated when recording.
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Can I change the playback speed and pitch of pieces of music on CD using Melodyne?
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Yes, with Melodyne studio you can change the tempo and pitch of complete songs, but not directly from the CD. You need to do a few other things first:-
Copy the piece of music in question from the CD onto your hard disk. To do so, you might need to use a program to "rip" the CD. Store the audio file on your hard drive.
Open it with Melodyne. The first time you open the file, it will be subjected to analysis — we say that the file is being 'detected'. The detection process goes quickly; in fact so quickly sometimes that it passes unnoticed; it is only with fairly long audio files that you might have to wait for a moment or two.
Once the detection has been completed, you will be able to alter the tempo and pitch of the file to an almost unlimited extent with Melodyne. To do this, open the Realtime play offsets in the Window menu and alter the values for Tempo and Pitch.
Plug-ins in Melodyne studio
This part is not about the plug-in version of Melodyne, but about the effect plug-ins and virtual instruments which you can use in Melodyne studio.
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Where do I find plug-ins in Melodyne editor, assistant or essential?
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Plug-ins can only be used in Melodyne studio.
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Where do I find plug-ins in Melodyne studio?
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Open the Mixer window. Every track of your song has got its own mixer channel. In every channel you have insert fields located beneath the EQ section, where you can choose a plug-in from the list of all the plug-ins which are installed on your system.
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Melodyne supports the VST plug-in format under Windows and the formats VST and AudioUnits under Mac OS X. In every case, both effects and instruments are supported.
Note: Owing to the large number of plug-ins available, Celemony cannot offer a general guarantee that all plug-ins will function correctly. We do, however, take care to observe the plug-in hosting guidelines and exchange notes on a regular basis with the most important manufacturers of plug-ins. If ever, despite this, you do discover malfunctions, please send an e-mail to: plugin@celemony.com.
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Is there a latency compensation for plug-ins hosted in the Melodyne Mixer?
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No, there is no latency compensation in Melodyne studio 3, but this is planned for future releases.
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I have installed a new plug-in, but it doesn't appear in Melodyne
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Plug-ins can only be used in Melodyne after they have been scanned. If, therefore, a plug-in fails to appear in the pop-up window of the Melodyne mixer, you have to make Melodyne conduct a new scan.
To do this, choose Settings > Plug-ins and then select the missing plug-in; now choose Rescan selected plug-ins. If the problematic plug-in is not listed, you have to search for it.
Some or all of my plug-ins are missing from the Melodyne Mixer.
Note: if you want to install a new plug-in on your computer, quit Melodyne first and only relaunch it once you have completed the installation of the plug-in.
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Some or all of my plug-ins are missing from the Melodyne Mixer
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If plug-ins with which you have previously been working are suddenly no longer available from the Mixer, you have to do a little research.
First open the Preferences window from the Melodyne menu and choose Plug-ins

There you will see all the plug-ins that Melodyne studio 'knows about'. If a plug-in with which you have worked in the past is no longer on this list, there can be one of two reasons:-
either the missing plug-in has been moved to a different folder (or else removed altogether), in which case you need to return it to the correct folder (or re-install it)
or you've just updated Melodyne studio after uninstalling the older version (which you were quite right to do), in which case you are working with a 'fresh' version of the program that is not yet familiar with the plug-ins on your hard disk.In either case, you need to conduct a new search for the missing plug-in. To do this, in the window displayed above, activate the AudioUnit Effects and/or VST Effects fields (Mac) or check the box below the Plug-ins text field (Windows).
A new window will appear showing the progress of the search

Once Melodyne has located the missing plug-ins, the Preferences window should look like this:-

The plug-ins will now once again be available for use in the mixer.

ReWire and MelodyneBridge
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Melodyne editor and Melodyne assistant can be used as stand-alone programs, but also as plug-ins. For this purpose they are placed directly in a DAW (e.g. Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools) capable of hosting VST, RTAS or AU plug-ins.
Melodyne essential RTAS can be integrated as an RTAS plug-in in Pro Tools.
Melodyne studio does not have a generic plug-in mode; it is a stand-alone program. Nevertheless, you can run Melodyne studio parallel to other audio applications. For this purpose you connect both programs either via ReWire or via the MelodyneBridge.
If two hosts, such as Melodyne studio and a DAW such as Cubase are running in parallel, they have to be in sync and (ideally) capable of exchanging audio data. For this to happen, they need to be connected using the ReWire protocol
Another way of synchronizing and exchanging data between Melodyne studio and a host DAW is through the use of the MelodyneBridge.
How do I use the MelodyneBridge?
If it's simply a question of getting Melodyne studio and another program to run in sync (i.e. without exchanging data), the MIDI interface can be used.
Can I synchronize Melodyne via MIDI?
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The ReWire protocol governs the tempo synchronization and exchange of audio between two or more ReWire-compatible programs, whereby one program fills the role of 'Host' and the others that of 'Clients'. The host is the boss, so to speak: it is the program that lays down the tempo, with the rest 'slavishly' following its lead, and it alone has access to the audio interface. For the audio signals of the clients to be heard, they have to be routed to the mixer of the host application, where they can profit from all the host's plug-ins; however in their own mixers, client applications no longer have access to VST or AudioUnits plug-ins, since these are now the exclusive property of the ReWire host.
To run Melodyne in ReWire mode, you need first to establish a ReWire connection. See the following question.
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Melodyne studio is capable of operating as either ReWire host or ReWire client.
For this to happen, obviously enough, you must have at least one other ReWire-compatible application on your computer with which to establish a connection.
Melodyne as ReWire client
First launch the ReWire host and select in the ReWire configuration dialog of this program the necessary Melodyne ReWire channels. (You may have to consult the user manual of the host to find out what steps are needed here).
Now launch Melodyne studio. Melodyne will recognize the already active ReWire host right away. A dialog box will appear offering you the option of connecting Melodyne to the host.

Click on ReWire
Open an existing arrangement or create a new one
The output channels of the Melodyne Mixer are routed via the corresponding ReWire channels to the host application, as shown in the illustration (in which Ableton Live is used as an example).
Note: There are no input channels when Melodyne is used in the manner just described as ReWire client.
Unlike other implementations of the ReWire interface, it is not necessary when using Melodyne to quit the programs in a set order; if, for example, you quit Live and then relaunch it without having quit Melodyne in the meantime, the connection between the two applications will be re-established automatically.
[Technical Notes]
Melodyne studio does not load its entire audio engine into the host application, using instead the technology of the MelodyneBridge to send the audio signal from Melodyne to the host.Melodyne as ReWire Host
Launch Melodyne studio
Open an existing arrangement (or create a new one)
Open the ReWire Devices configuration panel from the Windows menu

If there is more than one ReWire client on your computer, select the application you wish to use from the list box at the top left of the ReWire devices window
Launch the ReWire application. (The simplest way of doing this is by clicking the Start Application button in the ReWire Devices window)
Select the channels you wish to use. For each ReWire channel activated, Melodyne will add a new channel strip to the mixer to carry the corresponding output channel of the selected application. Depending upon whether the client is outputting mono or stereo signals, the requisite number of mono or stereo channels will be created for them in the Melodyne mixer. The connection is now established.
Press the Start button in Melodyne to hear the combined audio signals of both programs[N.B.]
Always quit the client application before quitting Melodyne studio
The ReWire settings you have chosen invariably apply to the current arrangement — in Melodyne studio, it is possible to have several arrangements open at the same time, only one of which, however, is ever active (i.e. the current arrangement) at a given moment. The ReWire Devices window therefore displays the ReWire settings applicable to the current arrangement only.
It is also possible to connect several applications to Melodyne at once as ReWire clients -
Can I test the MelodyneBridge or ReWire functionality with the demo version?
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No. Neither ReWire nor the MelodyneBridge function in the demo version.
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How many ReWire channels can be received and transmitted with Melodyne?
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If Melodyne studio is running as ReWire host, the number of ReWire data streams that can be received depends solely upon the ReWire client.
In ReWire client mode, Melodyne studio can transmit eight audio data streams.
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Where and how do I establish the correct buffer size for ReWire and MelodyneBridge operation?
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In recent Melodyne versions, it is no longer necessary to set the buffer size for ReWire or the MelodyneBridge; Melodyne does it automatically based on the buffer size of the host.
When the buffer size of the host driver is small, the effect is to increase the overload, so there is much to be said for increasing the buffer size in the host. On the other hand, excessively large buffers can lead to problems elsewhere. The aim, therefore, is to find the golden mean for your own particular set-up, which is best done by means of trial and error.
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What files are needed for ReWire operation with Melodyne and where are they located?
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Please choose your platform:
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All the files needed for ReWire mode are installed along with Melodyne. They are:-
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReWire.dllHere you should always use the most current version. All your computer's hosts will access this file.
To act as a ReWire client any application must have its own so called ReWire device file (see the manual of the individual sequencer for details). Melodyne studio for example needs the file
C:\Program Files\Celemony\Melodyne\MelodyneReWireDevice.dllNote: Make sure the version numbers of these files correspond to that of your copy of Melodyne.
In order to be found by ReWire, the ReWire device files (of Melodyne or any other potential client) is usually entered in the Windows Registry under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Propellerhead Software\ReWire
Whenever you come across any ReWire problems under Windows this is mostly due to a mismatch in version numbers of more then one ReWire.dll (delete any doublets which might be found somewhere else than in the System32 directory). Or you have wrong entries in the Registry.
All the files needed for ReWire mode are installed along with Melodyne. To establish a ReWire connection you need:
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/
ReWire.bundle (Version ...)To act as a ReWire client every application needs its own ReWire device file. In case of Melodyne studio this is:
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/
MelodyneRewireDevice.pluginNote: Make sure the version numbers of these files correspond to that of your copy of Melodyne.
On the Mac the following additional files will be installed, just in case you are planning to connect a newer program (like Melodyne) to some older program (or version of a program, like PT 6.x). These files are named very similar to the files above, but this time without the extensions ".bundle" or ".plugin"):
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/ReWireand an Alias to this file, called:
/Library/Application Support/ReWireFurthermore you need:
/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/ReWire/
MelodyneRewireDeviceand an Alias to this file, called:
/Library/Application Support/MelodyneRewireDeviceWhenever you come across any ReWire problems under Mac OS this is mostly due to a mismatch in version numbers of ReWire files. Please visit the manual of your other programs to find out how their ReWire Device files are named and where they are located. Also take care not to have any doublets – sometimes you have ReWire related files in the directory:
<your User name>/Library/Application Support/…
Here, in case of doubt, there should be no ReWire files at all not even in the Propellerhead Software/ReWire sub-directory.
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I have many ReWire files on my computer? Is that right?
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Each potential ReWire host or client creates ReWire-related files when it is installed. If you have installed several hosts or clients, you may find you have multiple versions of the same files and such like, in which case the only thing to do is to tidy up the mess by hand. As far as Melodyne is concerned, you will find the requisite files listed under What files are needed for ReWire operation with Melodyne and where are they located? If, in fact, files other than these are present and you are experiencing problems, here's how to identify the 'culprit'.
Move all the files other than those listed under What files are needed for ReWire operation with Melodyne and where are they located? to the desktop or some other folder (remembering from which original folders they were taken) and then test Melodyne in ReWire mode. If everything seems to be working as it should, begin moving the files one by one back to the folders from which they were taken, testing the ReWire functionality as you go. There will come a point, obviously, where the problems reappear and you will know that the file most recently returned to its original location is the one that is causing the trouble. Move this a second time to the desktop and try out your other ReWire hosts to see whether or not these can function without the problem file. If not, contact the manufacturer of the host in question to discover whether or not a new version of the file in question is available.
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How do incorrect ReWire files find their way onto my computer?
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Each host creates ReWire files when it is installed, which is why you may find you have multiple versions of the same files — some in their latest versions, others not — with the result that not all programs will be accessing the latest versions. To obtain a clearer picture, follow the instructions given under What files are needed for ReWire operation with Melodyne and where are they located?
Old ReWire files can also be left lying around by updates and upgrades, which is why we recommend that before installing an upgrade, you delete the previous version (and in particular, its ReWire files) manually. When updating or upgrading other hosts, you should proceed in like manner (at least, as regards their ReWire files).
Is it advisable to remove older versions of Melodyne before updating?
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What is the MelodyneBridge?
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The MelodyneBridge is an effect plug-in that creates and maintains the connection to Melodyne studio when invoked from the host program. In this way, Melodyne studio can be used pretty much like a plug-in, although the program in fact runs independently of the host DAW.
The concept
To route an audio track of your DAW to Melodyne for editing, you need only make sure that the MelodyneBridge plug-in is the first insert in the corresponding channel of the DAW's mixer.
The MelodyneBridge routes the audio material from the DAW to Melodyne where it is recorded (Transfer Mode)

Once this has been done and the audio file is available for editing in Melodyne, it is automatically routed back to the DAW mixer (Playback Mode). The original signal is then ignored and overwritten by the signal from Melodyne.

The process in detail
When the MelodyneBridge is in Record Mode, the audio files of the track are copied to the corresponding track of Melodyne as the arrangement plays back. If, then, you activate Record Mode and play back bars 3 to 5, you get this:-

If you now select Playback Mode and play back tracks 1 to 6, you will hear the audio signal from Melodyne in those places where a signal is present (in our example bars 3 and 4), whilst in the places for which Melodyne has no audio material (in our example bars 1 and 2 as well as bars 5 and 6), you will automatically hear the original track.
The following illustration should make this clear:-
During bars 1 and 2, the unaltered original signal is routed to the mixer and it is this, therefore, that is heard:-

During bars 3 and 4, it is the signal from Melodyne that is routed to the mixer and the original signal on the audio track muted:-

Finally, during bars 5 and 6, it is once again the original signal that is heard:-

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I have installed Melodyne editor, assistant or essential and can't find the MelodyneBridge
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The MelodyneBridge is only part of Melodyne studio. To connect Melodyne editor, Melodyne assistant or Melodyne essential RTAS to other programs, please use their plug-in mode.
How do I connect Melodyne to other audio programs?
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Which DAWs support the MelodyneBridge?
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As a general rule, the MelodyneBridge is available in the formats VST, AudioUnit, RTAS and DXi, and can therefore be used in DAWs compatible with all these standards.
We test regularly the functionality of the MelodyneBridge with the latest versions of most DAWs. Currently, we have tested it with the latest versions of the following applications:-
Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro, Digidesign Pro Tools, MOTU Digital Performer, Sonar, Steinberg Cubase SX and Steinberg Nuendo.
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How many channels can be transmitted via the MelodyneBridge?
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Due to performance aspects the maximum count of channels to be transmitted from Melodyne to a DAW (and vice versa) via the MelodyneBridge is set to 8 channels (containing either mono or stereo signals).
If you want to work with more tracks, you first have to "print" the result of the first 8 tracks by using the bounce function of your DAW (also called "render" or "audio mixdown") before you start to transfer and edit a second set of eight tracks.
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Here we will run through the process of achieving the seamless integration of Melodyne into your DAW environment.
Launch your DAW
Open a vocal track of your arrangement
In the mixer channel assigned to this track, load the MelodyneBridge plug-in into the first insert slot
Now the MelodyneBridge plug-in window opens and Melodyne will be launched in Bridge mode in the background
As Melodyne is launched, a new Melodyne arrangement will be created automatically; to see it, choose Window > Arrangement. Initially, this arrangement comprises eight tracks named 'Track 1', 'Track 2' and so on.
Note: You should store this arrangement together with the other files in the project folder corresponding to your song.
Now go back to the MelodyneBridge where, under Connect to, all the tracks of the Melodyne arrangement will be displayed:-

Move the mouse over 'Track 1' to select this track. Now the mixer channel in which the MelodyneBridge is loaded as an insert (let's say, for the sake of argument, that this is Channel 1) will be linked to 'Track 1' in Melodyne
Activate 'Transfer Mode' in the Bridge plug-in by clicking on the corresponding switch

In the DAW, move the cursor to the bar from which you want to start sending audio to Melodyne
Press Start, let it play for two bars and then halt the playback. At the end of the transfer, the MelodyneBridge will switch automatically from Transfer back to Playback

Select Cycle mode in the DAW. Set the beginning and end markers of the loop in such a way that you can hear a couple of bars before and after the passage that has been sent to Melodyne.
Begin playback
Now switch to Melodyne; open the editor of the transferred track and select a few notes. You will now be able to edit the pitch or phrasing of the selected notes in the normal way, while listening to and judging the results immediately in the context of the entire arrangement.Note: A remote control can be very useful when you are doing this, as it will allow you to send transport commands via MIDI to the DAW which saves you having to switch to the DAW each time you want to start or stop playback.
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How do I get the audio material I have edited using Melodyne back into the host DAW?
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When Melodyne is running in ReWire Client Mode or else integrated into the DAW using the MelodyneBridge or a plug-in instance, its audio material is available in the DAW's mixer. Use the 'Render' function (sometimes called 'Bounce' or 'Audio Mixdown') to create a new audio file of the signal coming from Melodyne. A distinction has to be made here between offline and real-time rendering. The real-time version always works but is slow. Whether or not the offline variation is available depends upon the plug-in implementation of the host DAW. We recommend, however, the use of the real-time version.
For Pro Tools, you can use the function Spot to Pro Tools, which is dealt with in the next section. See the following question.
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[Pro Tools] How does "Spot to Pro Tools" work?
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Communication between Pro Tools and Melodyne is also implemented using ReWire and the MelodyneBridge, with one special feature: Pro Tools time-stamps its audio files, so the time at which each recording within a song was made is always known, even though the file itself may have been moved about a good deal since.
Melodyne's Spot to Pro Tools function takes advantage of this feature, of which you will find a detailed explanation in English in our forum.
The Pro Tools and essential tutorial also contains a brief guide to the use of the Spot to Pro Tools function. Download it from our manuals page.
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Why can't I use the audition function of the Melody Manager in MelodyneBridge mode?
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In Bridge mode, because of the special routing of audio from Melodyne to the DAW, the audition (pre-listen) function of the Melody Manager is not available. Conceptually, what is happening here is the elegant transfer of individual DAW tracks to Melodyne. For the combination of two arrangements, ReWire mode is recommended, in which case the audition function can be used.
Technical Note: The fact that certain hosts such as Logic and Digital Performer only process plug-ins when the sequencer is running is in any case enough to preclude the audition function of the MelodyneBridge being available when playback has stopped.
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Which version of the MelodyneBridge is better: DXi or VSTi?
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That depends on the host DAW. With Sonar, use the DXi version; with other DAWs, we recommend the VSTi.
MIDI and Synchronisation
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Yes. Melodyne studio supports MIDI Clock and MTC, in each case as either master or slave. Melodyne plugin can be synchronized via MIDI, if the host sequencer supports this feature. Only Melodyne essential is not capable of MIDI synchronization.
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Can I create MIDI recordings using Melodyne studio?
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No. Melodyne studio is not a MIDI sequencer and it is therefore impossible to record MIDI tracks.
Keyboards and controllers connected to the MIDI input can nonetheless influence the playback of the tracks to a considerable extent: from the MIDI menu, for example, you can decide whether the MIDI keyboard should transpose the notes of a track in real time or whether they should conform to the pitch played by hand.

From the MIDI menu, you can access the MIDI Remote Control Preferences window; this can be used to assign connected MIDI controllers to many of Melodyne's functions, from the control of windows and the Transport panel to the remote control of the Mixer and dynamic control of the real-time parameters.
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Why does Melodyne have software instruments if it doesn't have MIDI tracks?
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Software instruments are used in Melodyne studio to double the recorded audio material. With Melodyne's Audio-to-MIDI functions, it is possible, for example, to sing a melody, record it and then have it played by a software synthesizer. The phrasing of this melody can be modified using Melodyne's tried-and-tested editing functions, with the changes reflected immediately in the performance of the software instruments. See also the following question.
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How do I double an audio track with a software instrument?
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If you want a software instrument to play a recorded melody, which may originally have been sung, you have to tell Melodyne to send that instrument information about the sound.
How do I get a software instrument to play a melody that was originally sung?
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How do I get a software instrument to play a melody that was originally sung?
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To get an instrument plug-in to play a recorded melody, proceed as follows:-
Display the MIDI parameters in the track's Edit window by choosing Show Audio-to-MIDI Parameters from the MIDI menu.

The MIDI parameters determine whether the track should send MIDI messages in realtime (check the Realtime MIDI Send option) and which software instrument should be used to play the melody (using the list box beneath the Realtime MIDI Send checkbox).

If no plug-ins are available for selection, you have to furnish a mixer channel with a software instrument.
How do I use software instruments?
Once you can hear your software instrument, it is possible to optimize the degree of precision with which it doubles the vocal track, using the Velocity, Pitch Bend and Envelope parameters. Aside from this, the performance delivered by the software instrument can also be modified by editing the blobs in the Edit window.
Note: By selecting a MIDI channel instead of a software instrument from the list box beneath the Realtime MIDI Send checkbox, you can use Melodyne to play any hardware MIDI synthesizer you like.
Note: The Pitch Bend wheel delivers authentic results in this context but you must first make sure that the Pitch Bend range (as displayed in the small box beneath the Pitch Bend checkbox) corresponds to the equivalent parameter of your input keyboard — the best results being obtained for the most part with a setting of +/- 12 semitones.
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Can I also use guitar or bass tracks for the Audio-to-MIDI function?
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Yes. It makes no difference whether the original recording was vocal or instrumental. If you are using Melodyne studio, the recording must, however, be monophonic, by which we mean that it should consist of a single voice rather than containing chords. With certain instruments, like bass or guitar, sustained notes coming from open strings may overlap and build a two or three voiced sound, even though from a musical point of view the part being played is monophonic. In such cases you may need to adjust your style of playing in order to obtain optimum results in Audio-to-MIDI mode.
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Is it possible to create a MIDI file from polyphonic audio recordings?
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Yes. With Melodyne editor it is indeed possible to detect single notes in a polyphonic recording and to export them as a MIDI file.
This is not yet possible, however, in Melodyne studio or Melodyne assistant. Here, the source audio file must be monophonic.
The playing technique is crucial, too: As explained under Can I also use guitar or bass tracks for the Audio-to-MIDI function?, sustained notes, coming from open strings on a guitar for example, have to be damped to maintain a monophonic signal.
Melodyne essential RTAS doesn't have the Audio-to-MIDI feature.
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I can't seem to find software instruments and the Audio-to-MIDI function in my Melodyne.
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Software instruments can only be used in Melodyne studio. The Audio-to-MIDI function is only available in Melodyne studio, Melodyne editor, and Melodyne assistant.
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Melodyne studio allows the use of software instruments. To take advantage of this feature, proceed as follows:-
Open the Mixer window (Window > Mixer)
From the Configure list box select Instrument Tracks > Add Instrument Track

A new channel strip, named "Inst 1", will appear to the right of the existing mixer channels. Select the instrument you wish to use from the list box immediately beneath the new channel strip's EQ section, which should display a list of all the plug-in instruments installed on your computer.
Note: If no instrument plug-ins are displayed, it may be that the folder in which Melodyne is expecting to find them. If you are using Windows, you will select the correct path under Edit > Preferences > Plug-ins. If you are using a Mac, Melodyne scans automatically all the relevant plug-in folders. Whichever operating system you are using, you can trigger a new scan for plug-ins by clearing the VST effects or AudioUnit effects checkbox and then checking it again.

Documentation
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Is there such a thing as a 'crash course' in the use of Melodyne?
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Yes. We have integrated an Experience Tour in Melodyne. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the main functions by experimenting with the audio files provided as you read the accompanying text. The Experience Tour can be accessed from the Help menu inside Melodyne.
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Is there a printed user manual for Melodyne?
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Yes. Each copy of Melodyne purchased from a music store comes with a printed user manual in English. If you are ordering Melodyne from our Web Shop and want the hard-copy version of the English user manual, please order the Manual Pack. Naturally, as a Melodyne customer, you also have the right to order this manual subsequent to the purchase of the application itself.
User manuals in other languages (as well as that in English) can also be downloaded in PDF format from the Download Area.
Note: If you store the PDF manual in the Documentation sub-directory of your Melodyne program folder, you have easy access to it under Help > Documentation in the Melodyne menu.




