Tools

5 simple pitch shifting plugins (free and paid)

5 simple pitch shifting plugins

Whether you’re crafting ethereal vocal harmonies, creating thick chorus effects, or diving into the wild world of hyperpop, pitch manipulation is one of the most powerful tools in modern music production.

From subtle formant-bending effects to extreme sonic transformations, the right pitch shifting plugins can take your tracks from ordinary to extraordinary.

Below, we’ve rounded up five essential pitch shifting plugins that every producer should know, ranging from industry favorites to hidden gems. Whether you’re working with a tight budget or looking for a premium upgrade for your toolkit, these plugins offer everything from simple pitch shifting to complex harmonic processing.

Let’s dive in!

1. Soundtoys’ Little AlterBoy ($99)

Soundtoys' pitch shifting plugin, Little Alterboy

This classic pitch manipulation plugin has become the secret weapon for gender-bending vocals. If you’ve ever listened to hyperpop, you’ve likely heard vocals processed through Little AlterBoy. What sets it apart is the separate pitch and formant controls, giving you complete range between natural and alien vocal tones.

The Mode section offers flexibility between smooth transposition and hard quantizing, similar to auto-tune effects. Plus, you can add some of Soundtoys’ famous saturation using the drive knob for extra character.

A vocal with the formant moving up and down via Little Alterboy

Pro tips:

  • Adjust the formant alone to change the perceived ‘gender’ of vocals
  • Link pitch and formant controls for classic pitch effects
  • Send MIDI to dynamically adjust pitch in real-time

2. AIR’s Pitch Shifter (free for a limited time)

AIR's Pitch Shifter

Sometimes, simplicity is king; AIR’s Pitch Shifter proves that two knobs can be incredibly powerful when implemented well. While the interface might look minimal, the Mode selection is where this plugin truly shines. The shift dial offers complete freedom across the full ±24 semitone range without being locked to specific values.

A synth bass with the Shift parameter slightly off-center—listen to it come in as the mix knob moves from dry to wet

A vocal tuned up seven semitones in the Texture mode instead of the Vocal mode for intentional artifacts

Pro tips:

  • Dial the shift down slightly and set the Mix parameter to 50% for a lush chorus effect
  • Try the Texture mode on vocals for an intentionally choppy, lo-fi sound

3. Aegean Music’s Pitchproof (free)

Aegean Music's Pitchproof

Pitchproof handles standard semitone pitch shifting, but its real magic lies in intelligent harmonization. Set your track’s key and choose a scale degree, and the plugin will automatically harmonize with your melody.

On this vocal, we slowly bring in each harmony by turning up the send level

Pro tips:

  • Create multiple sends with Pitchproof instances set to your track’s key
  • Set each instance so they’re 100% wet with different harmony degrees
  • Send your melody to each instance to create rich, harmonized chords

4. Auburn Sounds’ Inner Pitch (free)

Auburn Sounds' Inner Pitch

Inner Pitch is among the most feature-packed free pitch shifting plugins available. You get a massive ±24 semitone pitch range, stereo delay, three-band EQ, and three distinct tone options. The paid upgrade adds even more features, including hard tuning and improved CPU efficiency.

This vocal is being pitched up and sent to the delay with a low time value and high feedback—later, you can hear the time being increased, adding more pitch-based chaos

Pro tips:

  • Set the Delay parameter to a minimum length with high feedback for a bubbling, mind-bending effect
  • Use the L/R Shift for subtle vocal chorusing and stereo width

5. Devious Machines’ Pitch Monster ($99)

Devious Machines' Pitch Monster

Don’t let the name intimidate you—Pitch Monster packages sophisticated pitch shifting into an intuitive, clean interface. The central pitch dial offers an impressive range: up to +24 semitones and down to a monstrous -48 semitones.

Above the dial, three processing modes adapt to different source material (adjustable via the input setting). The top-left knob alternates between formant shifting and grain size depending on your selected mode, with a width option to expand the stereo image. Add unison for tasteful detuning and use the onboard filter for additional sound shaping.

Here, we take a dynamic drum loop and run it through Glitch mode—the sound comes from automating the Grain Rate and Time Spread

Same as the above, but processing vocals

Pro tips:

  • Push Pitch Monster to extremes for granular sampler or delay effects
  • In Granular mode, with Unison engaged, max out the Time Spread and minimize the Grain Rate— then, push the pitch to extremes and automate these parameters for different effects
  • For melodic material, lock the pitch shift to musical intervals (octaves: ±12 / 24 semitones, or fifths: +7, +19, -5, -17, etc.) and blend with lower Mix settings
  • With percussive material, experiment freely with any pitch that sounds good
  • Automate parameters and record the results for dynamic effects

5 simple pitch shifting plugins: Conclusion

These five simple but powerful pitch shifting plugins represent just the beginning of what’s possible with pitch manipulation in modern music production. Whether you’re looking for subtle enhancement or radical transformation, each offers unique sonic possibilities that can elevate your music to new creative heights.

Have you used any of these plugins before in your own music? What other topics would you like to see us explore next? Start a conversation with us and an ever-growing community of other music creators via the Splice Discord.

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August 6, 2025

Devon Johnson Devon C. Johnson is a music producer and DJ based in New York who currently works on the Marketing team at Splice.