Is-Auto-Tune-Really-the-Devil

1. Is Auto-Tune Really the Devil Of all the plug-ins and software tools we use to create music these days, none has been more controversial than Auto-Tune. Whether one claims to be a purist or not, the reality is Auto-Tune is here to stay. And for some, it is as much a part of making records as writing a good song.

2. A Vocal Producer's Perspective As a vocal producer I'm often asked about the pros and cons of using Auto-Tune and whether or not I use it. After putting on my helmet and suiting up with armor, I'm prepared to answer that question. My first disclaimer of sorts is to tell you I have a love/hate relationship with Auto- Tune. As an artist who came up "old school," it was not something that was available to me in the studio, nor did I need it to be. And therein lies the first argument for those who would scoff the use of Auto-Tune on their recorded vocals. But let's be fair and take a closer look at reality.

3. The Reality of Recording Vocals Very few singers3and I've worked with over 4,000 of 'em3can walk into the booth and lay down a flawless vocal in one take, let alone eight or nine takes (or sometimes days). And while it's not flawless that every producer is listening for, they are listening to capture that magical performance that will live forever in the hearts and ears of music fans everywhere. Is it fair or right or good to capture that magic over several takes and put it all together into one seamless piece of work? Well, I can certainly tell you that I have and do on most all the vocals I'm asked to produce. But that would be editing. What Auto-Tune enables me to do is salvage an otherwise great performance and pull it into pitch versus trashing it and looking for something that might not serve as well. I have found that helping an artist to actually hear what they're truly capable of in the studio raises the bar for their live performances thus serving a positive purpose for their growth as a singer. Thus technology can be useful in such situations. However, I sense anymore that it's accepted that "you can fix it, can't you?" becomes more of the norm when it comes to the artist being responsible for their art.

4. The Impact on Singers' Craft Has Auto-Tune then encouraged singers to be lazy and not hone their craft? Sure it has. Unfortunately, there are many shining examples of that being true on the national market, and personally I've encountered that apathy more than once with artist who are willing to leave their voice in someone else's hands 3 not something I condone or encourage. I'm happy to say at my own studios where we see nearly 200 vocalists a week, we continue to be bombarded by those who are more than eager to better their skills and improve their studio and live performances.

5. Auto-Tune in Popular Music With T Pain popularizing the use of Auto-Tune as literally part of his sound, we are certainly hearing more and more varieties in the use of the Auto-Tune in recorded media. Many critics state that it is allowing Hip Hop stars to encroach on the territory previously occupied only by R&B "singers." And while that may be true, the general public doesn't seem to have the same aversion to the use of Auto- Tune and other effects, as do the music critics.

6. The Impact on Background Vocals Another area where Auto-Tune and extended vocal software has directly and negatively taken a toll in the studio is by enabling producers to synthetically create background vocals in place of professional background singers. Personally, I always use real, live, honest-to-goodness bgv's. Having come from the day when I made part of my living singing background vocals, I honor that as part of my own thumbprint in the productions I do, and many times still participate as one of the background singers. That being said, there are many instances when I might also tune the background vocal parts for the final mix. Like I said, it's a love/hate kind of thing. Music professionals often looking for hookup sites victoria to find their love in any place of the world.

7. The Limits of Technology As a music professional who deals day-to-day with the merchandising of anything and everything vocal, I have certainly taken very poor vocal performances and turned them into something good 3 we have the technology. But even I have limits, and there's no amount of money that makes me want to clean vocal toilets for the rest of my life, if you know what I'm saying. I want to work with real professionals who are proud to be real singers and offer them the best of what I bring as a real vocal producer because I am a real singer and I know the difference. I'd love nothing better than for our industry and the public to demand the same.

8. A Personal Stance Philosophically, we will never agree on whether or not Auto-Tune is really the Devil. As for me and my house, we will continue to hone the chops of even the greatest of vocalists in an effort to encourage the stand up and stand alone ability of real sangin! And just for the record, I don't use Auto-Tune on my personal vocal recordings. Connect with us - (404) 633-3840