SHOULD AUTOTUNE
STILL BE A TABOO ?
In many ways , Autotune is to music what Photoshop is to pictures . In other words , it is an editing program that allows you to polish defects until you get an improved version of your song . So if you go out of tune here and there , Autotune can correct it . There are few who raise their voices against the use of Autotune , considering it deception and a perversion of the musical spirit . But does editing photographs pervert the spirit of photography ? In our opinion , it is one more element that must be taken advantage of . And yes , moderation is the key . Just like in photo editing , we don ’ t want the end result to appear inhuman and artificial .
The positions , in this field , are fierce . Those who oppose Autotune are convinced that they stand for “ real music .” But what is real music ? Even the people who stay away from auto tune , always use some kind of technology when they record their songs .
Well , those same people continue to argue that Autotune allows secondrate artists to pass for people with a talent that they lack . But that assumes that the consumers are stupid , that they are not capable of evaluating quality music , made by someone with real talent .
What is “ real music ”? Have those who defend these positions considered that Autotune has been used in practically all music for many years ? Is Metallica or Radiohead real music ? Because they , like everyone else , use computers and technological advances to make their music better every day .
The reality , too , is that talent goes far beyond just tuning . If you are not capable of writing songs that convey your emotions well , if you cannot give off the charisma that a live concert needs , what does it matter if a program tunes the songs for you ? You will sound like an impersonal robot , unable to reach the masses . Autotune is just one more tool , of many that exist , born as a compliment , an aid for artists . It isn ’ t a tool to turn the Average Joe into a pop star .
Now , let ’ s break down the advantages and disadvantages of using Auto-tune :
Advantages of using Autotune Fixes small issues with the recording There are fat , unpresentable mistakes in a professional job that would force a whole piece of the song to be repeated if it weren ’ t for the existence of Auto-tune . The program allows you to fix it in a simple way .
Helps save time Something related to the previous one , allows both the artist and the studio managers to save time . Especially in the case of young artists , unaccustomed to the pressure of the recording studio , who , despite being able to tune perfectly , may not be able to do it at their best under these circumstances .
Helps composers One of the most common uses and , in our opinion , the most necessary . A great composer who lacks vocal talent can use auto-tune to present their creations in acceptable quality .
Disadvantages of using Auto-tune
False expectations Even people who are born with the perfect pitch will find it difficult to tune every element of a song , perfectly . In one way or another , listening to the music edited ad nauseam raises expectations that can make certain audiences feel disappointed when they hear what should be the ultimate expression of music : live performance .
Loss of humanity Music , like any other art form , is very expressive . Being extremely crisp , clean , and robotic makes any art sterile . That note and that one a little up or a little down , endow a song with personality , with humanity . So it ’ s not really necessary to retune perfectly capable artists until their music looks like the work of flawless robots .
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