Pitch shift

Pitch shifting is a sound recording technique in which the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered. Effects units that raise or lower pitch by a pre-designated musical interval (transposition) are called "pitch shifters" or "pitch benders".

Pitch/time shifting

The simplest methods are used to increase pitch and reduce durations, or vice versa, reduce pitch and increase duration. This can be done by replaying a sound waveform at a different speed than it was recorded. It could be accomplished on an early reel-to-reel tape recorder by changing the diameter of the capstan drive shaft, or using a different motor. As technologies improved later designs of motor speeds could be controlled by electronic servo system circuits. This arrangement using “vari-speed” capstan motors allowed the speed change to be achieved more simply. As for vinyl records, the same thing can be done; placing a finger on the turnable to give friction will retard it, while giving it a 'spin' can advance it.

Harmonizer (album)

Harmonizer is the fourth studio album by Norwegian futurepop band Apoptygma Berzerk. It was released on February 25, 2002 on Metropolis Records and WEA International.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Stephan Groth. 

Concept

Harmonizer has been described by fellow bandmember Geir Bratland as Stephan's most personal album. Many of the lyrics were heavily influenced by Stephan's divorce with his ex-wife Cathrine and the relationship with their daughter Iben. Stylistically, the album has been described is a highly polished blend of EBM, electronic dance music and synthpop. It was heavily criticized upon its release as Apoptygma Berzerk's "sellout" album, a title later given to Stephan's follow-up album, "You and Me Against the World, which saw an even more radical change in style, heading towards an 1980s rock influence.

Harmonizer did well on the German charts, the album's singles "Suffer in Silence", "Until the End of the World" and "Unicorn" fared well on the charts. The band managed to obtain a contract deal with Warner, a major label which previously formed a contract with Stephan's then-newly established label "Hard:Drive" after his departure from the band Tatra, which went bankrupt in 2005. Stephan even appeared on a mainstream Norwegian music show due to the popularity of the "Suffer in Silence" single.