When YouTube videos are slowed down, the audio may sound strange or robotic due to a phenomenon called "time stretching" or "pitch shifting." Time stretching is the process of altering the speed or duration of an audio clip without affecting its pitch, while pitch shifting changes the pitch without altering the duration.
The strange robotic effect occurs because when you slow down the video, the audio's duration is extended, causing the individual sound waves to stretch. This stretching can lead to unnatural artifacts, loss of clarity, and changes in the timbre of the audio. The algorithms used for time stretching may introduce additional digital artifacts, resulting in the robotic or distorted sound.
To recreate this effect, you can use audio editing software or plugins that provide time stretching or pitch shifting capabilities. Here's a general process to recreate the robotic effect:
Choose an audio editing software: Select a software that offers time stretching or pitch shifting functions. Popular options include Audacity (free), Adobe Audition, or Ableton Live.
Import the audio: Import the audio file you want to manipulate into the software.
Apply time stretching: Use the time stretching feature to slow down the audio. Adjust the time stretch settings to achieve the desired level of slowdown. Experiment with different stretching percentages to find the effect you're looking for.
Check pitch settings: Depending on the software, the pitch may automatically adjust to maintain the original pitch while slowing down the audio. However, if you want to alter the pitch intentionally, you can use pitch shifting features in the software to modify the pitch while maintaining the slower speed.
Adjust parameters: Explore the additional parameters available in the software, such as formant shifting, equalization, or modulation effects, to further manipulate the sound and create a robotic effect. These tools can help you achieve the specific tonal qualities you desire.
Preview and fine-tune: Listen to the modified audio and make adjustments as needed until you achieve the desired robotic effect. Pay attention to any digital artifacts, distortion, or unwanted noise that may occur during the process.
Export the modified audio: Once you're satisfied with the result, export the modified audio from the software to a format suitable for your needs.
Remember, the specific steps and options may vary depending on the software you use, but the general process of time stretching and pitch shifting should be available in most audio editing tools. Experimentation and fine-tuning will be key to achieving the desired robotic effect.