How to slow down audio files? [closed]
I need a program (with an easy learning curve) that lets me slow down mp3 (at the very least this format) music and audiobook files. The software needs to be able to slow down the audio at the chosen speeds without altering the pitch and accuracy of the words being pronounced. Perhaps like the language software "Byki Deluxe's" "SlowSound" feature? I'm learning a foreign language (German) and I find the speeds at which the books are being read too fast. I need to hear the pronunciation of each word much more clearly to learn how to pronounce the words myself.
Is there such a product out there? Now, I know you can slow down stuff in VLC but it sounds really artificial. I need something that slows down audio files without altering the accuracy of the words being pronounced.
It doesn't have to be freeware; ease of use and quality is more important to me.
Win 7 64-bit. IE 8.
Edit: Are there any software-for-pay like Audacity? Only the beta works in Win 7. Also, I'd prefer to be able to slow down a file live and not have to create a new file to use the feature.
Solution 1:
As Raystafarian notes, audacity has a feature called Change Tempo which promises to change the tempo of the recording without adjusting the pitch. I assume this is the effect you're looking for.
Please note that (as soandos noted in the comments) this does in no way generate a more detailed recording. The recorded information is constant, this just changes how it is played back (and, thus, can make a recording sound slower).
For further reading, there's also the Wikipedia article on Audio timescale-pitch modification.
If you don't like audacity, this feature isn't exclusive to that application. There are even Winamp plugins that can do this. I'm pretty sure there are several more options.
Solution 2:
For a purpose-built program to do exactly that, check Express Scribe Transcription Software from NCH Software. The free version handles MP3 and other formats. The first feature on the feature list is "Variable speed playback (constant pitch)". My daughter uses it for her translation and transcription business. Very simple user interface, because it's not intended for all the things that Audacity & GoldWave are designed to do.
Solution 3:
GoldWave also has the feature of slowing without pitch change, and allows for much manuel control of the process, more control than needed most times. the item is called "Time Warp" found in the effects menu.
It also will do batching of layers of filtering and manipulations of the sound, so you could do a bunch of sound files the same way. it works in windows 7 without a single crash ever, but I am using the older 32bit version (5.06).
It has instant realtime previewing of filters, so it could be used to listen slower, without changing anything, like all realtime changes it requires cpu speed.
it is not free, only free to try. It has all the complicated stuff in it , but they didnt try and create psudo simplicity?, so I find it is easier to use than other software.
many of the "pro" video programs now have the features of slowing the video and slowing the audio without pitch change, if it was a video that your trying to slow down. They are far from free :-)