Dichotomy and perceptual distortions in absolute pitch ability --> (PNAS)

Absolute pitch (AP) is the rare ability to identify the pitch of a tone without the aid of a reference tone. Understanding both the nature and genesis of AP can provide insights into neuroplasticity in the auditory system. We explored factors that may influence the accuracy of pitch perception in AP subjects both during the development of the trait and in later age. We used a Web-based survey and a pitch-labeling test to collect perceptual data from 2,213 individuals, 981 (44%) of whom proved to have extraordinary pitch-naming ability. The bimodal distribution in pitch-naming ability signifies AP as a distinct perceptual trait, with possible implications for its genetic basis. The wealth of these data has allowed us to uncover unsuspected note-naming irregularities suggestive of a "perceptual magnet" centered at the note "A." In addition, we document a gradual decline in pitch-naming accuracy with age, characterized by a perceptual shift in the "sharp" direction. These findings speak both to the process of acquisition of AP and to its stability.

Wow. From the article:

...one subject of age 44 failed to correctly identify a single pure or piano tone but instead responded with a semitone sharp fo […]
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...one subject of age 44 failed to correctly identify a single
pure or piano tone but instead responded with a semitone sharp
for every note, thus enabling him to be classified as AP1; he had
recognized his tendency for sharp perception at age 22.

I'm 25! Oh, but I feel old. That being said, the question still stands -- is DOSBox pitch bendable, or ought it be for this weird portion of the population? Aural nostalgia is at stake 😉

There are no easy ways to achieve this, assuming it's possible at all. If possible, it will require source code modification, and knowledge of the inner working of each synth.

For General Midi, it should be easy (each semitone corresponds to an integer value. Substract 1 and you're done, except for percussion banks, where each integer value corresponds to one percussion instrument, shifting them would break the track).

Hmm. It might be fudgeable in post-production (as it were) with EAX (or similar standard)-supported sound cards -- it's been a long while since I've had one, but I remember being able to make it unlistenably weird pretty easily. I get the feeling that that sort of thing might speed the works up, though, but as a quick hack (that is to say, outside of the software itself) it might be a lot more worthwhile. I'll keep that on the backburner -- thanks for looking into it in the first place!

This may not be applicable to old PC games, but it can apply to older TV-based computer emulations.

There is a translation issue when shifting from PAL to NTSC which results in a little less than a semitone difference in the audio because of the 50hz/60hz difference in framerates. This is also evident if you try to play, say, an AVI captured in PAL format and play it back on a north american machine, then compare it to when you heard it as originally broadcast in NTSC... the PAL version will sound a tiny bit higher in pitch, or vice versa. Most people cant notice it, though it bugs the hell outta me. For video, I have a program/codec called ReClock that will fix it, and some DVD playback programs will fix it as well.

This probably doesnt apply to DOSBOX, unless you are comparing the game you are playing there with your memories of the music you used to play on a television-based system (say, atari 8bit or ST, C64, Amiga, etc), in which case there could be an actual difference, depending on how the sound was originally done.