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CHR stations that pitch up the music
- Thread starter nd2023
- Start date
T
The Truthsayer
Guest
CHR stations are SUPPOSED to pitch up the music AT LEAST 2% or more. Ask any 18-20 something girl and they'll say the song sounds better on Station A (pitches) than Station B (doesn't pitch)
If you pitch up music and your competition doesn't, then songs sound "draggy" and slow on your competitor.
F
Frank72
Guest
I think pitching up music can also have the opposite effect and annoy your listeners. I did it at my last station and we actually got a few complaints. And they were only 2%. Now obviously you can't do it with every song.
Last week, I tuned into WKQI and their sped up songs drove me nuts. Let's also remember listeners have these songs on their I-Pods which they listen to over and over. They may be thinking the sped up version on your station sounds "wrong". I've also heard speeding up songs can affect the production quality and remove certain dynamics. Don't know if that's a myth or just producers not wanting you to mess with their music.
Last week, I tuned into WKQI and their sped up songs drove me nuts. Let's also remember listeners have these songs on their I-Pods which they listen to over and over. They may be thinking the sped up version on your station sounds "wrong". I've also heard speeding up songs can affect the production quality and remove certain dynamics. Don't know if that's a myth or just producers not wanting you to mess with their music.
WKQI is very highly rated.... I personally like it.
T
The Truthsayer
Guest
Adam Rivers said:
PITCH = RADIO
B
bigmax
Guest
the last time i checked, Z100 nyc doesn't pitch. they are the gold standard for chr.
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bigmax
Guest
they (Z100) haven't for at least two years - maybe 3.
T
The Truthsayer
Guest
bigmax said:
Why did they stop? Pitched up music sounds good and it's essential to be a good CHR.
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Beejus
Guest
OK. Just to play devil's advocate... but is there really a need to pitch up music anymore?
Sure. There's the argument that it makes you sound hotter and more fun. But I think it was Frank who said this: In today's world, your audience has internet radio, instant gratification with MP3 downloads and iPods.
Back in the day, you either listened to the radio, or bought the single or album to hear a song you liked. Today you can download the song and have it in an instant. And I really don't hear people listening to their iPods and muttering "you know, this song just sounds kind of... draggy. I need to pitch this up."
If your competition is still doing it, then sure, your station may sound draggy if you don't pitch up your music. But has pitching up the music become an outdated practice? Or does it still work in today's radio world?
Sure. There's the argument that it makes you sound hotter and more fun. But I think it was Frank who said this: In today's world, your audience has internet radio, instant gratification with MP3 downloads and iPods.
Back in the day, you either listened to the radio, or bought the single or album to hear a song you liked. Today you can download the song and have it in an instant. And I really don't hear people listening to their iPods and muttering "you know, this song just sounds kind of... draggy. I need to pitch this up."
If your competition is still doing it, then sure, your station may sound draggy if you don't pitch up your music. But has pitching up the music become an outdated practice? Or does it still work in today's radio world?
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bigmax
Guest
the accepted view (amongst well respected pds) is that pitching is dated, out of touch radio. for the exact reasons you mentioned.
1
1900radio
Guest
We do a lot to the music besides pitch it up. The processing can make the song sound a bit different too.
I've heard of a station back in the 80's that did 4% (i think) and people would return records/tapes to the music store because they thought it had a defect. LOL.
On the other topic. Why are Z100 and KIIS the best CHRs? Just because they are in the 2 biggest cities?
I've heard of a station back in the 80's that did 4% (i think) and people would return records/tapes to the music store because they thought it had a defect. LOL.
On the other topic. Why are Z100 and KIIS the best CHRs? Just because they are in the 2 biggest cities?
M
Mid West Clubber
Guest
We do pitch certain songs, like Kardinal Offshore-Danngerous, and PCD-When I grow up... We used to pitch Flo-Rida-LOW back when we played the Remix, but when we switched to the original we stopped,,,,, One song that sounds great pitched is Kanye West-Gold Digger. We dont make Pitching an Everyday practice, but it can help certain Rhythmic Pop songs,,, Anything over 3 percent is too much
All of this pitch talk is a mute point if you have hardware/software that has key control. Key control allows for pitch adjustment without most listeners ever noticing the difference. Club DJ's have been doing this for years as it makes mixing flawless without ruining the integrity of the vocals. Key control allows you to have the tempo increase you need with the increased pitch but keeps the vocals the "same speed as the original", for lack of a better explanation.
K~
K~
Nick said:Another song that sounds better pitched up 3% is MIA - Paper PlanesMid West Clubber said:
Beejus said:
there is, google a program called "Gold Wave" and you can pitch your music before you put it on your iPod. A station that I thought pitched their music probably more than 4% was WWBX B97 in Bangor, ME. They are unfourtately gone, replaced by sports, but they got me wanting to pitch my music to because it DOES sound great. Some songs I pitch at 6% (though it doesn't really[/b] sound more different than at 4%, some are at 3). It just depends on the song. Some songs I do regret putting too much pitch on, but oh well.
I sometimes think that when listening to my iPod. I miss the processing and the pitching up. I wish there were a way to have an audio processor on an iPod.
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