Melodyne

What Melodyne is

Melodyne analyzes recordings and samples note by note, then lets users adjust musical details such as pitch, vibrato, volume, sibilants, note length, timing and formants. Its four editions cover different editing needs. Essential provides basic pitch and timing editing and supports monophonic, percussive and complex audio algorithms. Assistant adds formant and dynamics editing, plus audio-to-MIDI export. Editor adds DNA Direct Note Access, which lets users edit individual notes within chords, including piano and guitar material, along with extended scale and tempo functions. Studio adds simultaneous note editing across multiple tracks in one window and includes the Sound Editor. Melodyne works as a standalone program or as a VST3, AU or AAX plug-in, with ARA integration for compatible DAWs. Melodyne 5 supports 64-bit macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 10 or 11; version 5.2 or later runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs. A 30-day trial includes full functions and can be used once per computer. First activation requires internet access, and the trial also requires internet for registration and each launch. The maker, Melodyne, is based in Munich, Germany, and was founded in 2000.

Who it suits

Essential and Assistant suit users focused on pitch and timing edits, including vocal correction and formant or dynamics work. Editor suits users who need to edit notes within chords, while Studio is aimed at professional multitrack work.

Limits

There is no free plan. The trial lasts 30 days, can be used once per computer, and requires internet access for registration and every program launch.

Getting started

1. Visit the Melodyne website.
2. Choose an edition: essential, assistant, editor or studio.
3. Download Melodyne for macOS or Windows.
4. Install it as a standalone program or as a supported plug-in.
5. Activate on a computer or, except for essential, with a second- or third-generation iLok USB dongle.
6. For the 30-day trial, register with an internet connection and connect to the internet for each launch.

Verdict

Choose Melodyne if you need detailed note-level audio editing, with editions ranging from basic pitch and timing work to polyphonic and multitrack editing. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or cannot meet the trial's internet and one-use-per-computer conditions.