Poll: Auto-Tune

[zoozilla]

One phenomenon that's become prevalent pretty recently in the music industry is the use of "auto-tune". It allows producers to alter a singer's pitch to presumably fix any off-tune parts of the performance.

More artists, though, seem to be using it for stylistic purposes, as Kanye West famously (infamously?) does in songs like "Heartless".

So, what do you think? Is auto-tune a valid stylistic tool, or is it just a way to "cheat" on the part of the singer?

 

[Zac_Dai]

Just means more options in creating sounds.

You'll have your purists that will get pissy but they can go listen to the wonderful vocals of death metal instead.

 

[Badger616]

Apparently auto-tune will only work if you can sing anyway, so it's not so much cheating as smoothing out the rough edges in a performance

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It helps, but if you mean that shite robotic messed up singing you get in most Hip Hop / RnB or whatever the kids call it now then I hate it.

 

[sallene]

Bad. I am a fan of a groups that do it themselves and dont mind if a part of the vocals are a bit off key in live performances.


Then agian I am probably the exception as I do think analog > digital for my music as well.

 

[chronobreak]

Good and Bad are subjective options, really. It's kind of up to the person, isn't it? Personally, as a stylistic choice, I don't mind it. I'd rather hear that than someone who can't sing a note trying to belt them out.

 

[Neonbob]

Hate. I've heard it too much in recent music.

 

[randommaster]

If someone NEEDS to use it, then they need to get better, but I see no problem in using it to smooth out a few spots, especially if ding another take will eat up a lot of time.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

It only allows people that can't fucking sing become popular, and its bullshit cause we have to listen to it... Miley Cyrus....

 

[Krakyn]

Cheating. I can't sing and I'm not going to try to dupe people into thinking I can with some tuner.

 

[HentMas]

One phenomenon that's become prevalent pretty recently

recently!?!? they have being doing it here in mexico for years!!!... well, not "auto" but still

most Mexican singers cant sing for S#IT

 

[Valiance]

It sounds terrible anyway.

What do I care if they "adjust" their voice?

It helps, but if you mean that shite robotic messed up singing you get in most Hip Hop / RnB or whatever the kids call it now then I hate it.

Yeah, that's it.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It sounds terrible anyway.

What do I care if they "adjust" their voice?

It helps, but if you mean that shite robotic messed up singing you get in most Hip Hop / RnB or whatever the kids call it now then I hate it.

Yeah, that's it.

Oh no. Burn it! Burn it now! It hurts my ears.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Has anyone heard little Wayne sing without the Auto tune on. It sounds like a baby whale screaming ***** and ************ in between mumbles

 

[300lb. Samoan]

So, what do you think? Is auto-tune a valid stylistic tool, or is it just a way to "cheat" on the part of the singer?

Clearly it can be used both ways. I think it's a valid stylistic tool if you use it like Kanye and T-Pain do (even if it is like rubbing your ears against a cheese grater.) The real problem is that it's used very very subtly on so many pop, rock, and R&B records for correction that there is hardly any way to distinguish a good singer from bad these days.

My punk band went to a friend's studio a couple years ago and the guy that recorded us even used auto-tune to adjust our singer.
What - the - fuck.

(BTW when I say punk band, I mean loud noisy rock'n'roll band, not that garbage shit that little girls listen to now that's been over-produced into oblivion. We're a Drink-Fight-Fuck band, not a hipster-haircut band. Because those bands obviously get DRENCHED in auto-tune and other concealing effects.)

 

[HardRockSamurai]

A lot of people are starting to bash musicians for using auto-tune (now more than ever, thanks to Jay-Z's new single "D.O.A. [Death of Auto-Tune]), a trend which I can sort of understand. The main points are that a) it's overused, b) it sounds weird, and c) it's a cheap way to make popular music.

A. Agreed. It is overused. A true artist should never have to depend on a popular crutch.

B. Disagree. It does sound weird, but only if it's misused. T-Pain and Kanye West are the only artists I've heard use it correctly, but there are so many other musicians that completely butcher it. Again, if they treat it like a crutch, it's bad music.

C. Agreed. I've heard a couple indie rock songs that use auto-tune really well to create a Radiohead-like vibe, but the only auto-tune songs the public hears are the popular ones; and unfortunately, they are mostly awful.

Overall, musicians have to stop using auto-tune. It was a fun trend, and it made otherwise boring songs sound stylish and chromatic, but now it's gone as far as it can.

And on the subject of T-Pain; I know for a fact that he's a good singer WITHOUT auto-tune. I have no idea why he chooses to constantly use it in his music (maybe he just likes the way it sounds so much, I dunno.)