Autotune techniques/software

[himynameisbuddy]

Ha, I read that whole post nodding my head in agreement. You're so right about how vocals can make or break the artist... it's really too bad, but that's how it goes these days. I appreciate the positive feedback - you've given me a little boost of confidence today, which is what I was needing!



(P.S. You're from South Bend! I was born in Warsaw, IN )

[billg1]

i know it's really old school but have you considered doing vocal comp tracks? record four vocals tracks, replace pitchy parts with good parts from another track . . . . put all the best parts of each together for one killer track.

[himynameisbuddy]

That's actually what I've been doing ever since I started recording. I didn't know it had a name - I just figured that was the logical thing to do for a... *ahem* "sub-par" singer such as myself.

It works for what I need, but gets tedious and I get frustrated too easily. I'm currently combining this technique with my new autotune software/ideas. Seems to be working... I wish I just had a better voice!

[matto]

Just stating the obvious here...pitch problems and really the majority of other vocal problems can be greatly reduced by taking lessons from a qualified vocal coach and improving your eartraining.
Most of these issues are caused by a lack of control combined with an underdeveloped sense of pitch.

If it is important to you that you yourself sing your songs, investing in the development of your own voice and singing ability would be a very worthwhile investment indeed.

Otherwise I would just get great singers to perform your songs.

I use both Autotune and Melodyne; I prefer the latter by far but natural results can be obtained by both. However, fixing a sub par vocal performance with technology is never gonna sound as good as bringing the actual vocals up to par thru lessons and practice.

matto

[Casey H]

Matto.... You're not suggesting that people sing on key to start with?

You are such a radical!!

Casey

[kitchensinkmusic]

Just stating the obvious here...pitch problems and really the majority of other vocal problems can be greatly reduced by taking lessons from a qualified vocal coach and improving your eartraining.
Most of these issues are caused by a lack of control combined with an underdeveloped sense of pitch.

If it is important to you that you yourself sing your songs, investing in the development of your own voice and singing ability would be a very worthwhile investment indeed.

matto

I've been singing on average 190 jazz and rock gigs a year for 16 years plus 20 years of vocalization before that with tons of ear-training and vocal coaching and I still suck. I would say I've improved over the years but not to the point that I would call myself a legit vocalist. Some people have it and some don't.

That's not to say you shouldn't try to improve your skill set - just don't feel bad if you fall short of the mark.

[allends]

Recording your own vocals without pitch correction tools is like trying to be a super model without enhancement surgery: You can practice the walk to perfection, but you also need the “pop” to be competitive.

[kitchensinkmusic]

Recording your own vocals without pitch correction tools is like trying to be a super model without enhancement surgery: You can practice the walk to perfection, but you also need the “pop” to be competitive.

great analogy but I prefer natural attributes and what on earth did vocalists do before the digital age? ANSWER: mostly sing on pitch - or not - but whatever they sang it was nice to listen to.

[billg1]

Recording your own vocals without pitch correction tools is like trying to be a super model without enhancement surgery: You can practice the walk to perfection, but you also need the “pop” to be competitive.

Well, I disagree. If you can sing on key you can be competitive & there are a lot of successful bands/artists/vocalist who don't use pitch correction.

It seems crazy to me that people who can't sing insist on trying to be singers. Just because you WANT to do something doesn't mean you will be good at it . . . pro sports . . . music . . . whatever.

Digital tools make everything seem possible by eliminating certain elements of skill, but you shouldn't think of them as something to replace talent, they are just tools like any other tools. I would like to build houses and even though I have the tools to do the job I know that I'm not a house builder and that the house I built would be a disaster.

If someone can't learn how to sing isn't there a remote possibility that they're not supposed to be a singer? I mean really-

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

[greggo]

As for me…I can sing on key and in pitch. And mom and dad tell me that I should really sing more and I get a decent applause when playing at an open mike But when I hear my recorded voice I CRINGE. Can’t stand it. That’s why I’m happy sticking to writing the musical arrangement and giving someone else the headache of carrying the tune vocally and sounding original. I think it takes a tremendous amount of confidence to pull it off whether you’re professionally trained or not. And talent. I can’t really see auto-tune making someone a better singer.