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WanderingOak · 08-18-2009, 05:05 PM

If you have had any contact whatsoever with what is considered to be 'mainstream music' , then you have probably heard it. A recording artist is struggling as hard as he can to sing on key, and when he can't, a computer takes over and adjusts the timbre of his voice so it is somehow magically on key, although it sounds horribly distorted. Yes, I know that mainstream music is full of similar fads and gimmicks, but I am wondering how long we are going to have to endure this. Even lip-syncing is better than this, because at least that means that somebody, somewhere still knows how to actually sing on key.

The way I see it, if an artist is using Autotune, she is advertising the fact that she is incapable of singing on key. That's right, as far as I am concerned, they CAN NOT SING. The computer is singing. In fact, I'm surprised that the programmers who wrote the thing haven't been getting the royalties for the music performed with it. Stephen Hawking could probably sing with Autotune. Sarah Palin's concession speech was put to music with Autotune (one of the few good uses that it has been put to).

Does anybody actually want to listen to bad singing made worse by bizarre computer generated sound effects? Does anybody actually buy their music? Does anybody care that these people are deliberately advertising the fact that the have absolutely no singing ability? How long is it going to be before there is an 'Autotune Mr. Microphone' where anybody can sing off key? If that happens, how long would it take for 'ICanHazCheezburger?" to be filled with videos of cats Autotuning R&B standards?

Brutha · 08-18-2009, 07:05 PM

Why does it matter how the sound gets produced as long as the sound sounds good?

WanderingOak · 08-18-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutha

Why does it matter how the sound gets produced as long as the sound sounds good?

Well, I am of the opinion that it does not sound good at all. I enjoy listening to good music, performed by people who can actually sing in harmony. With Autotune, most singing sounds like fingernails across a chalkboard. Unfortunately, in America, there are 'artists' who use Autotune everywhere, so even if I don't listen to that kind of music, it is still used in quite a few advertisements, so there is no escaping it.

Iggy K · 08-18-2009, 10:09 PM

the thing is the productions needs to be perfect these days and with perfectly produced music comes the need to have perfect vocals so this is a way to assure that. But its just a fad,it will wear out,no worry,there are programs that can correct singing mistakes and remain sounding normal

WanderingOak · 08-18-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy K

the thing is the productions needs to be perfect these days and with perfectly produced music comes the need to have perfect vocals so this is a way to assure that. But its just a fad,it will wear out,no worry,there are programs that can correct singing mistakes and remain sounding normal

They are probably for studio use only, however, and I doubt if they would work in realtime. I heard a local quartet sing 'Yesterday' in perfect four-part harmony the other day. I don't think there are many MTV bands that would even attempt to do such a thing.

Wax Frog · 08-18-2009, 10:31 PM

As I've been actively ignoring the mainstream music industry for the past two decades, I needed to find a sample to be sure of what you were referring to, and am now doubly glad of my decision. BLECH!!!! I've always thought of it derisively as "that gleeping sound".

WanderingOak · 08-18-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

As I've been actively ignoring the mainstream music industry for the past two decades, I needed to find a sample to be sure of what you were referring to, and am now doubly glad of my decision. BLECH!!!! I've always thought of it derisively as "that gleeping sound".

Exactly....

Iggy K · 08-18-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderingOak

They are probably for studio use only, however, and I doubt if they would work in realtime. I heard a local quartet sing 'Yesterday' in perfect four-part harmony the other day. I don't think there are many MTV bands that would even attempt to do such a thing.

yeah,they would hardly work in real time,kanye west had some blooper when autotune conected to his mic went wild. And I know what you mean,every kid today is a singer,or producer or dj or guitar player,too much competition,too little quality,thats why you have tons of kids who listen to 80s music

08-18-2009, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
WanderingOak Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 846	Why Autotune? If you have had any contact whatsoever with what is considered to be 'mainstream music' , then you have probably heard it. A recording artist is struggling as hard as he can to sing on key, and when he can't, a computer takes over and adjusts the timbre of his voice so it is somehow magically on key, although it sounds horribly distorted. Yes, I know that mainstream music is full of similar fads and gimmicks, but I am wondering how long we are going to have to endure this. Even lip-syncing is better than this, because at least that means that somebody, somewhere still knows how to actually sing on key. The way I see it, if an artist is using Autotune, she is advertising the fact that she is incapable of singing on key. That's right, as far as I am concerned, they CAN NOT SING. The computer is singing. In fact, I'm surprised that the programmers who wrote the thing haven't been getting the royalties for the music performed with it. Stephen Hawking could probably sing with Autotune. Sarah Palin's concession speech was put to music with Autotune (one of the few good uses that it has been put to). Does anybody actually want to listen to bad singing made worse by bizarre computer generated sound effects? Does anybody actually buy their music? Does anybody care that these people are deliberately advertising the fact that the have absolutely no singing ability? How long is it going to be before there is an 'Autotune Mr. Microphone' where anybody can sing off key? If that happens, how long would it take for 'ICanHazCheezburger?" to be filled with videos of cats Autotuning R&B standards?

08-18-2009, 07:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brutha Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 4,997	Why does it matter how the sound gets produced as long as the sound sounds good? __________________ I am always open for feedback on my posts. If your feedback would go offtopic feel free to send me a Personal Message. My posts generally don't contain medical or legal advice, if you have a problem seek the opinion of an expert Talking about this in terms of “bad news” or “bad judgment by business leaders” seems archaic. It’s like describing World War One as “a serious diplomatic concern.” Bruce Sterling about the financial crisis.

08-18-2009, 10:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wax Frog Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: I'm Off on the Road to Bustingloosia! Posts: 3,209	As I've been actively ignoring the mainstream music industry for the past two decades, I needed to find a sample to be sure of what you were referring to, and am now doubly glad of my decision. BLECH!!!! I've always thought of it derisively as "that gleeping sound". __________________ Cool stuff bubbling up from my subconscious! www.DrawnFromWithin.etsy.com http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000381156486

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08-18-2009, 10:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Iggy K Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 39	the thing is the productions needs to be perfect these days and with perfectly produced music comes the need to have perfect vocals so this is a way to assure that. But its just a fad,it will wear out,no worry,there are programs that can correct singing mistakes and remain sounding normal

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums