Autotune techniques/software

[allends]

keep comping your tracks & you'll get better unless it's just not supposed to be your thing.

Bill, I'm a big fan of your music and I appreciate that you would correctly see that my tongue-in-cheek comment was way over-the-top, but we are going to disagree a little bit... not a lot:

Sometimes it's just a couple of notes here and there long after the session is over. Sometimes it isn't one's own voice and the singer went home. Sometimes it's an awesome magical take with more expressiveness and energy than can expected to happen again. Sometimes you want to branch out into styles where the bar is very high for clean, precise singing. I sing in a band and my people love me, but in the studio I stink....

There are a lot of reasons why it is a good idea to have a handy tool at your disposal.

Btw: When I was very young I cringed all the way through Up Up and Away and California Dreamin but it didn't stop me from loving those songs when they were new. The pitch issues in these songs would not cut it today. Things have changed.

So stand back everybody: I have pitch correction software and I know how to use it!

[Casey H]

One thing I noticed is the definition of being "on pitch" or not "pitchy" has changed a lot with the technology and it's widespread use.

Expectations are higher. The amount of tolerance regarding where the singer's notes fall has decreased. Not using pitch correction at all in today's world can be like trying to compete in pro sports without enhancement drugs.

I don't think anyone is suggesting we should sing badly and just fix everything electronically. But a decent performance with a few rough spots tweaked seems like what is needed today to compete in many modern genres.

Caasey

[watksco]

One thing I noticed is the definition of being "on pitch" or not "pitchy" has changed a lot with the technology and it's widespread use.

Expectations are higher. The amount of tolerance regarding where the singer's notes fall has decreased. Not using pitch correction at all in today's world can be like trying to compete in pro sports without enhancement drugs.

I don't think anyone is suggesting we should sing badly and just fix everything electronically. But a decent performance with a few rough spots tweaked seems like what is needed today to compete in many modern genres.

Caasey

I think that's the case with the overall production - timing issues, however minor are a no go - again, listen to some of the older recordings, great as they are, the timing issues (some call it loosey goosey, some call it 'feel man') would get them thrown out today. Like so many things, the game is different these days and you just gotsta fix 'em in the mix if they're there.

I think people would be surprised by all those "artists that don't" that really do (there are fixes you do that you don't tell the talent about)....just sayin'.

Scott

[davekershaw]

I make very rough demos so a little Cher or Alvin and the Chipmunks effect doesn't bother me as much. Casey

... and that's before he uses Autotune!

[Casey H]

I make very rough demos so a little Cher or Alvin and the Chipmunks effect doesn't bother me as much. Casey

... and that's before he uses Autotune!

[billg1]

One thing I noticed is the definition of being "on pitch" or not "pitchy" has changed a lot with the technology and it's widespread use.

Expectations are higher. The amount of tolerance regarding where the singer's notes fall has decreased. Not using pitch correction at all in today's world can be like trying to compete in pro sports without enhancement drugs.

I don't think anyone is suggesting we should sing badly and just fix everything electronically. But a decent performance with a few rough spots tweaked seems like what is needed today to compete in many modern genres.

Caasey

I think that's the case with the overall production - timing issues, however minor are a no go - again, listen to some of the older recordings, great as they are, the timing issues (some call it loosey goosey, some call it 'feel man') would get them thrown out
I think people would be surprised by all those "artists that don't" that really do (there are fixes you do that you don't tell the talent about)....just sayin'.
today. Like so many things, the game is different these days and you just gotsta fix 'em in the mix if they're there.

Scott

Well, you're somewhat wrong, it depends a lot on the genre. A lot of artists that I like & ones I've played sessions with (mostly blues/ alt country/ americana) still record live "on the floor" and with several this includes the vocals. this sort of situation lends itself to imperfect timing and an overall "live" vibe. And trust me, most of these folks look at the the "fix it in the mix" method as an amateur approach. I've been in sessions where I've sat there for hours while great pains were taken to get everything right in the tracking stage, there wasn't any fixing in the mix needed & these songs would never fly in the "quantized and autotuned" marketplace.

I think the main thing that connects people to a song is the vibe. Some people prefer a live natural vibe & quantizing, autotune, and midi instruments can be live vibe killers so I just try and steer clear of it. I think you just have to focus on what your best at & let the vibe prevail (sometimes for me it's loosey goosey I suppose!).

And although I've never quantized anything or used pitch correction I've still had songs placed, signed, and a couple minor cuts. At the end of the day if your playing to your strength, like your music, and it's serving you the way you want (placements, cuts, hobby, etc.) then that's all that matters.

[Casey H]

Yes, I agree it depends on genre. I think in modern rock & modern pop, for example, it's often the case.

Casey

[watksco]

...it depends a lot on the genre....

True...should have prefaced with that...

[billg1]

I was just reading something where a producer was lamenting about his fear that the "sound" of autotune was becoming a dated sound that would eventually chain todays music to a certain era hindering it from becoming "timeless", or at least shortening it's shelf life. . . like the gated reverb snares of the 80's. I really don't know how important an issue like this would even be to someone creating current pop but I thought it was an interesting comment & one that I hadn't really thought about.

Of course I suppose the same could have been said about any fashionable recording technique (or anything fashionable for that matter!).

[allends]

Bill, where would this world be without the excellent efforts of hard-workin' purists like you? It's awfully hard to argue against singing well, that's for sure, so I salute you!

This thing about autotuning technology dating our musical era is as real as a heart attack, especially since it is used to correct way more than just the sour moments in a performance. It's worth saying that I personally never automatically tune anything with this type of software. I just use it to sweeten notes that are distracting to the song as a whole.

Here are some noteworthy examples of the pros and cons of tuning technlogy. The first one is an amazing live performance by Lady Gaga. This performer needs nothing to make her magic. This is the juice Bill is talking about. Amazing! The next two are Katy Perry with & without help. As much as I love 90% of Katy's live performance, there are plenty of OMG <yuck-bleckkkh> moments. The professional recording example is fabulous, but I suppose perfection like this could become tiresome in the future if we ever get back to nature with our music. So the question is: What would you do with Katy Perry if the live material below was the best she could give you after multiple takes? Should she be told she's not good enough to make a recording? Please keep in mind I'm not asking whether she could and does do better.

Lady Gaga Live (Lighting up a room without any help from tuning tech.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7HvURBhMGE

Katy Perry Recording (I'll bet anything she received a digital tune-up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

Katy Perry Live (As pitchy and unpredictable as it gets. OMG!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpWPtx0u6hg