Stoopid Autotune Question?

[Dwarf]

Hey all, I've heard various people and pets talking about autotune - "Yeah, I heard the new CD but all the autotune turned me off", etc. Having never used autotune I've always wondered - what is this signature sound that I'm not hearing? Is there a way to describe it? -- Rob

[Rim]

I've only played with the Antares DX plugin so the hardware solution may be better. Anyway, when done poorly (as I have), you can tell exactly when the autotune kicks in. For example, when the singer scoops slowly up to the note, it'll suddenly jump to the note at a certain point. If done well, though, it's more subtle but I can still hear some instances. It just sounds unnatural to me. For example, when the singer kind of runs out of breath after holding a note for a long time, I expect the pitch to go down along with the volume. With autotune, the pitch stays the same. Oh heck, maybe someone else can explain it better. :)

[Pro Jules]

The Cher hit "Do you belive" had HEAVY auto tune on it - as a gimick... Over use it and you get a yodel effect! Lincoln Park Lit Sugar Ray Blink 182 All use a LOT of it, it makes the high 'hard to reach parts' sound computerized, or syntheticly perfect. I belive it's rampant in 'pop country' too. Just tune your ear into listening for cold / perfect / synthetic vocals.. :)

[Kendrix]

Yes to the arificial sound when it has to work too hard or if the speed setting is too fast but.... If the vocal is close but not quite perfectly in the "pitch pocket" i found ATR can work wonders and not show its ugliness.

[vintagevibe]

Actually everyone thinks it makes them sound really cool to say they hear Autotune. In reality you rarely ever hear it since it is quite easy to do it right. This goes along with the fashonable stance of saying you hate Autotune. It makes musicians feel like their really elite and cool.