Praat AudioTools: An Offline Analysis–Resynthesis Toolkit for Experimental Composition

Author: Shai Cohen

Affiliation: Department of Music, Bar-Ilan University, Israel

Overview

Praat AudioTools is a collection of more than 415 scripts for audio processing, analysis, and synthesis in Praat.

The plugin adds a unified AudioTools menu to Praat, bringing together effects, filters, transformations, generative processes, and analysis-driven tools for sound design and experimental composition.

Developed for composers, sound designers, and researchers, the toolkit extends Praat’s phonetic analysis environment into a complete offline sound laboratory, enabling granular synthesis, adaptive filtering, spectral transformation, fractal reverb, multichannel spatialisation, and machine-learning-driven audio effects.

Installation

Get the complete Praat AudioTools plugin with 415 audio processing scripts:

  1. Locate your Praat plugins folder:
    • Windows: C:\Users\<YourName>\Praat\plugins\
    • macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/Praat/plugins/
    • Linux: ~/.praat-dir/plugins/
  2. Copy the folder plugin_AudioTools into the plugins directory.
  3. Restart Praat.

Key Features

415 Scripts Across 13 Categories

A large modular toolkit spanning AI & Adaptive processing, analysis, distortion, dynamics, filtering, synthesis, pitch, reverb, spatial tools, spectral transformation, granular methods, and hybrid systems.

AI, Adaptive & Feature-Driven Processing

Neural-network, PCA, Bayesian, HMM, NMF, and self-attention based scripts support intelligent modulation, adaptive control, recomposition, classification, and phonetic-aware transformations.

Advanced Analysis & Research Tools

Extract MFCCs, formants, pitch, loudness, jitter, shimmer, harmonicity, tempo curves, spatial trajectories, self-similarity matrices, and other descriptors for both musical experimentation and acoustic research.

Filtering, Spectral Color & Resonance Design

Work with adaptive EQ, resonators, cross-synthesis, spectral morphing, formant filtering, frequency shifting, de-essing, hum removal, FIR/IIR filter banks, and other detailed timbral shaping tools.

Dynamics, Envelope & Amplitude Control

Shape sound with compressors, multiband dynamics, limiters, gates, LUFS tools, envelope processors, fades, swell generators, and mathematically defined amplitude trajectories.

Time, Granular, Pitch & Modulation Workflows

Explore granular resynthesis, time-stretching, pitch transformation, vibrato, chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, delay-based modulation, looping analysis, and rhythm-aware temporal manipulation.

Generative Synthesis & Algorithmic Composition

Create sound with Markov models, stochastic processes, chaotic systems, cellular automata, Brownian motion, GENDYN-style methods, sonification engines, and formula-based synthesis environments.

Reverb, Spatialization & Hybrid Systems

Build immersive multichannel textures with algorithmic reverbs, stereo and surround spatialization, trajectory-based motion, and hybrid workflows that connect Praat processing with extended offline systems.

AI & Adaptive 27

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Analysis 36

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Distortion 15

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Dynamics & Envelope 19

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Filter & Color 35

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Generative & Synthesis 54

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Modulation 22

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Pitch 26

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Reverb 29

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Spatial & Surround 36

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Spectral 26

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Time & Granular 43

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Hybrid Systems 46

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