I crack up at how many songs use Auto-Tune — audibly visible pitch correction, such that you sound that much closer to Daft Punk. Or at least Cher, who popularized the notion with "Believe". In recent years and led by King T-Pain, Auto-Tune has proven to be more than a novelty, as it's permeated just about every music style. While Auto-Tune will never be the "new reverb", it might just be the "new chorus". And the makers are milking the mic for all its worth… good for 'em!
Auto-Tune makes people who discriminate against robots — human supremacists — angry. In response, they're sure to say "Auto-Tune" a lot. Yeah, as if giving Auto-Tune more attention is going to make it go away. Heck no, marketing pawn, it'll just encourage those who're already using it to keep singing all steppy, and those who don't yet know about it may learn because of you. (Surprised I haven't found an Auto-Tuned Death Cab for Cutie vid on YouTube yet.)
You can't make Auto-Tune go away, but what you can do is choose to listen to the vast sea of music that contains a trace of its pitch-modulated nightmare. Alrite, so mebbe that sea is more like a pond now. So you can do something even better and make your own music without Auto-Tune. With old-fashioned cavemen voices singing off-key. How punk is that?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
You tell them Torley! I like off-key caveman voices, infact, I have several scores written to just that! The moans and groans of modern cavemen united in song!
Umm actually..there is a way to listen to "Non Autotune" music..and I'm surprised so many haven't thought about it..or maybe..they are already doing it. It's called listening to music that was made before the software became ubiquitous. Sex Pistols anyone??
Autotune the News-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBb4cjjj1gI
Connie, I fear there's no point in asking. You'll get no reply…
@Gavin Ever heard the "Piltdown Man" section of Mike Oldfield's original Tubular Bells? ONE OF MY FAVES I TELL YA!
@Connie Hahah, yes. We'll be all damned if Johnny Rotten gets put through a robo-machine — to his credit, he did sing (non-heavily-effected) vocals on Leftfield's "Open Up".
@charlene I LOVE THAT, I can't wait until #3 in the series.
Torley, I like the response. I'm a bit out of the loop, but I'm surprised to hear that there is an uproar over something like auto-tune. It's an instrument like any other, or at least a modification to sound. Music is still something from soul. The rest just helps to present or convey its voice.
ouch, Torley, a "personal" attack on the Daft Punk fans
Though I maintain that I <3 Daft Punk (a personal standby, a personal fave, not many like them nor would i blame them for not liking them because nowadays..its all the same)..theres always gonna be 'that band that sounds like so and so' because of, yup, auto-tune.
I dont enjoy GaGa for many reasons, mostly because Ive heard her 'voice' (or lack of) a million times in every other song. Gimmie something new or as Connie says 'Sex Pistols, anyone?'
I come here for new music, thank you Torley for broadening the limited horizon I unfortunately share with the rest of this planet..(boo..)
If this post doesnt make sense…im just getting off an overnight shift
wow that post makes no real sense …disreguard it lol sorry there Torley…thou shalt not post when sleep deprived
@Kourosh Yes, you cut to the truth.
@Liliannah Haha NP, reading posts when sleepy can be a real trip!
Here's Norway's Got Talent final.
At 1:36, Sebastian hits a very suspicious note.
Surely…not Autotune being used on a live talent show?
It certainly sounds like it…
@charlene:
aww missing vid link! boo hiss
offf…apologies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GHpLfhAtWY
I think puberty reversed its self on the poor fellow…but..your point does provide food for thought…i wonder if they DO use auto tune in tv recordings :O
This chap has a good grasp of how to use AutoTune with subtlety:
http://www.myspace.com/4poundzz