Variaudio 2.0 vs Melodyne Essential/Assistant

[JohnPativens]

Hello everyone,

Considering the latest developments of the Steinberg Variaudio algorithm, can 2.0 replace the Essential/Assistant version of Melodyne 4 in terms of sound quality and features, either for vocals and mono instruments?

[untimelyman]

Variaudio works nicely with Cubase's Chord Track. So, if you're not an expert, fitting a melody into a chord progression or harmonizing a melody is way faster to achieve in Cubase than in Melodyne.

[JohnPativens]

Thanks! And what about the sound quality? Are there any artifacts? How good does it work with monodic instruments?

[kelldammit]

Thanks! And what about the sound quality? Are there any artifacts? How good does it work with monodic instruments?

i've had about as good luck with it as i had with melodyne or DP's onboard pitch correction. They're all very good for minor corrections, but with more drastic changes, it gets artifact-y in a hurry.
Haven't dealt with it with instruments, though i'd expect the same to hold true.

Different things seem to trip each of them up, so ymmv...

[JohnPativens]

Thanks! And what about the sound quality? Are there any artifacts? How good does it work with monodic instruments?

i've had about as good luck with it as i had with melodyne or DP's onboard pitch correction. They're all very good for minor corrections, but with more drastic changes, it gets artifact-y in a hurry.
Haven't dealt with it with instruments, though i'd expect the same to hold true.

Different things seem to trip each of them up, so ymmv...

Cubase manual says it may also work fine on monodic instruments like saxophones, but it works in the E0 - C5 range anyway.
Once I had a bass line with many chord inversions, client called to arrange a version with just the roots.. transfered the track on Melodyne Essential and modified.. came out very natural, no artifacts.
Wonder if Variaudio can do the same.. being embedded in Cubase makes the job even faster.

[JohnPativens]

I tried Variaudio with the trial version of C8.5 Pro. Despite the manual saying it has limited range (E0 - C5), I could move a bass guitar note even down to low B, preserving the sound quality (no robotic effects at all). Maybe Steinberg extended its features with latest updates?
I have to deeply explore it yet, but my first impression is that Variaudio might replace any Single Track version of Melodyne. I'm not sure about editing vibrato, snapping phrases to specific scale or key, handling rhythmic material and copy/cut audio segments in place (in a midi like fashion) though.