The Snail is a very high-precision frequency-domain analyzer that delivers an easy to understand representation of sounds based on the scales and notes aligned in spectrally active zones.

It offers a new way of tuning and analyzing an instrument in an extremely accurate way, displaying intonation and visualizing music and sounds in a way that can help anyone improve their listening and intonation!

Think of a film camera turning at 24 frames per second filming a bicycle wheel turning at 24 revolutions a second, the spokes will appear to be standing still. That means, for a Fourier analysis of frequency at 439Hz compared to a tuning reference of 440Hz, the demodulated phase will turn at 1Hz (as a slightly desynchronised stroboscope makes a rotating object have a slow movement). Think of audio signals ’beating’ as there is a interference between two sounds at slightly different frequencies.

Compared to standard spectrum analyzers based on Fourier-type analysis, the frequency accuracy is enhanced by a process based on the demodulated phase. This system is based on a recent patented technology, conceived at the laboratory of Science and Technology of Music and Sound IRCAM-CNRS-UPMC.

This process has a dedicated algorithm which exploits the technology in several ways to:

1. Improve the frequency precision at an adjustable rate. Letting you fine-tune the accuracy of the Snail to get you an absolute tuning

2. Go beyond the global stroboscopic techniques used in some high-quality tuners by analyzing all the local spectral components and rendering this information in a convenient visual form. You see all the surrounding frequencies and overtones as well as the basic fundamentals. 

3. Exploit the local information to deliver a new notion of tuning (available for slightly or highly inharmonic sounds) and to visualize the harmonicity quality (a “bad string” can be immediately identified or a resonance that is out of tune in your instrument, or resonances that cause some notes to be more present (ringing) than other - which might be desirable or not).

4. Extract those elements that prevent an accurate tuning from being done, like noise or speech from the surroundings which make tuning easier, without interfering with the accuracy. Filtering out unwanted frequencies are not part of the object of the tuning.

The “Snail” visualizer shows the active zones of the spectral content, represented as light spots on a spiral skeleton, built in such a way that:

• One turn is one octave. Low notes are close to the center, high notes are far from the center. The reference tuning frequency (default : 440Hz) is symbolised by the blue point attached to the skeleton. This provides an abacus adapted to the twelve- tone equal temperament.

• For each frequency, magnitude is converted into loudness and mapped to brightness : double the loudness of a component, it doubles the brightness of the spot. The spot thickness increases with respect to the loudness. Additional information is conveyed by colours, according to the selected modes.

• When the tuner layout mode is displayed a rotating hexagon the speed of its rotation allows the estimation of the very refined tuning, the slower the rotation the closer you are to being in tune. When it stops completely you are absolutely in tune.

This product is for Mac and Windows OS as a Standalone application, AAX, AU and VST plug-in.

IRCAM Lab "TS" stands for "Transpose/Stretching" and is a powerful stand alone software application that revolutionizes the way audio signals can be processed.

Unlike other time stretching applications, "TS" uses an advanced phase vocoder engine (SuperVP) as well as the analysis/synthesis functionalities of "AudioSculpt", providing high-quality sound processing in real-time. This technology offers amazing results even when used to transpose or stretch audio waveforms radically. It is able to transpose and/or pitch a WAV or AIFF audio file with extremely accurate results and minimal artifacts making it possible to process professional recordings with transparent results. A life saver for audio engineers and broadcast technicians!

But "TS" is much more than a simple time stretching tool. the application can transform an audio signal to extreme settings transforming it into a totally new sound! Simply drag a WAV or AIFF file into "TS" and stretch it down at 300%. That will give you a quick idea of how powerful it is. Now try the formant, transient, sinus or noise sliders to sculpt your sound and you create totally original audio textures. Sound designers, DJ’s and musicians will be amazed by the unlimited possibilities offered by “TS” to create totally new sounds. From a basic drum loop to pianos, voices or any other audio signal, “TS” can make something totally wild and original out of it…

You will be able to adapt the length of your compositions with ease to fit the needs of your project. If your song has to end more quickly or be extended for any reason, it is a click of a button away. and you will hear it immediately. Film and advertising work with their demands for different lengths of material will be instantaneously available to deliver the new time format. 

Your singer can't reach the lowest note or highest note in your piece, transpose it up and down in real time and let them try it right away.

All this in a simple user-friendly interface with a sound quality and musicality that is astonishing.