| BitHeadz Phrazer New loop composition software is more far out than an Acid trip
by The Harmony Central Editorial Team
July 28, 2000
Traditionally, Summer NAMM is not known as the place for breakthrough software announcements, but there was one new program that set us tee-heeing in giddy anticipation. BitHeadz spotlighted Phrazer, which purports to give Mac users the power of Sonic Foundry's popular Windows package Acid -- plus more.  | Phrazer's simple interface
stresses efficiency over flash.
(Click image for a close-up) |
Like Acid, Phrazer is a multitrack loop arranger that automatically time-stretches and pitch-shifts audio files so that their tempos and keys match -- even if the source audio does not. But Phrazer trumps Acid's functionality with an onboard sample editor, and offers some subtle enhancements as well -- such as the ability to mute tracks right from your QWERTY keyboard. Plus, you can place as many different audio clips on a single track as you like (Acid limits you to one clip per track). Phrazer also includes DSP effects, and comes with hefty 300 MB of loops on a CD-ROM. AIFF, WAV, and even Acid files can be imported into Phrazer. Once the composition is to your liking, you can print your mix directly to disk as a new audio file, or you can sync Phrazer's playback to MIDI Clock and use it with external gear in a performance. At Summer NAMM, Phrazer was still in the "alpha" stage (pre-beta), so it could not be properly demonstrated. Needless to say, if it's everything it's cracked up to be, it'll be a smash with Mac users, who've been waiting for a product like this for a long time. They'll have to wait a bit longer though; Phrazer isn't scheduled to ship until November 1, and the price is TBA.
For more information, visit their site at www.bitheadz.com. | 
