Do you know Autotune? Surely yes! Even if you’re not a fan of apps or music, Everyone has heard of this voice processor, and, generally, it is not linked to a good opinion. But… is this fair? Are we talking about an inadequate tool in the sector?
This time we are going to see exactly what is Autotune, what does it entail, what advantages and disadvantages does it have and in what ways can it be used. In addition, we make some recommendations if you want to try it.
In this way, We hope that you are the one who can forge an opinion about what for us is a very good resource if used well.
What is AutoTune and what is it used for? Definition
auto tunepronounced and commonly known as “autotún”, it is an audio processor software that changes the voice. Its function is correct imperfections or inaccuracies that may occur when recording music content. In this way, a reality is masked with a little editingin the pure Photoshop style, which is used to retouch images, but in audio format.
Its design was made as a plugin for professional audio software, of those for study use exclusively. However, it comes from a very different project, from algorithms created for the interpretation of seismic data, thus serving to find oil deposits.
This program, created by engineer , was used in a song released to the market, for the first time, in 1998, this being “Believe”, by Cher. From that very moment, the use of “something special” (which they kept quiet about, indicating that they had used another product) was evident, becoming known as that effect so characteristic of Autotune as “Cher effect” either “vococher“.
Its operation, in a rudimentary state, passed through a tone detection given by correlationwhich is nothing more than a sequential dependency, which was a novelty, since until now they had been working with diphthong extraction processes and other characteristics with processing problems.
However, the industry considered it an impractical method because it required too many computational resources, so Andy had to devise a simplified version that was less resource-intensive; It went from working with a million multiply adds to just four, which opened the doors of the sector for it.
The algorithm was implemented on a Mac in 1996.when it was presented to the NAMM Show, a very important exhibition of musical products, offering a pitch-correcting technology for voice.
Due to its popularity, we currently find many other voice modulation programs, more and less professional, that allow us to work on our songs and refine our way of communicating when we record tracks or videos. However, it’s hard for someone to refer to voice modification in a way other than “you’ve used Autotune.”the effect already has a first and last name, at least in the coming decades.
It is very important to highlight that the software is not only used to create that characteristic effect that we all know, but various solutions can be implemented. Namely, It’s not just one type of effect.far from it.
In fact, this processor it is used to work the voice in a really subtle and imperceptible way and is part of most of the tracks we listen to, only that its presence is not evident; and if it’s not, this is another of the many programs that exist to make arrangements; no artist releases a record to the market without having modified his voice, just as changes are also made to match the instruments and integrate them with the voice, to give another example.
Is it ethical to use autotune to sing and sound better?
It is a good question if we consider that its best known use is to distort the voice to make it more melodic. Although we have already seen that this is a program that does much more, the truth is that criticism is always focused on its use to modify the voice too muchwith the argument that the clues are a hoax.
In this way, possibilities are given to characters who, for one reason or another, are known to sell, while unknown talented artists are denied such opportunities, something that, without a doubt, is, to say the least, unfair.
Regarding ethics… this is, without a doubt, a personal opinion. I can say that it doesn’t matter if the celebrity uses auto-tune or not, in my opinion, I think that their followers would consume their products (songs or anything else) regardless of quality of these, so I do not consider that this application is opening the doors for them.
What it may have achieved is that the producers are encouraged to work with people who need too many arrangements because they really are not good singersfavoring a market that has little or nothing to do with the skills of a song professional but that, whether we like it or not, is consumed.
In any case, it is evident that Its use has a number of advantages and disadvantages.both at an objective and subjective level, that we should be aware of in order to give the program the opportunity it deserves and to be able to assess whether or not it is being used appropriately depending on the circumstances.
Advantage
- Autotún can be used in a very subtle wayimproving the musical quality at the vocal level without auditory changes being perceived.
- We can create the famous Auto-Tune effect by extreme the parameters.
- In the middle of both results there is a whole range of sound products that we can design and create.
- It is used, and quite rightly, as a method of artistic expressiveness, as a punctual complementand not to mask a voice.
- You can provide a greater variety of music in the same album.
- It is useful for give spectacle in some shows, showing different registers and creations.
- You may give the voice a twist to make it look like something else.
- Makes it easy to create melodies newscast type or for the radio.
- makes it possible spend less time studying.
- Correct specific errors that would cause us to have to repeat entire takes.
Disadvantages
- Its extreme use supposes a less effort by the artist.
- Similarly, it also allows less talented people access the music market.
- Of course, we have to use extreme parameters of this plugin ago the tracks sound very similar each other, even with different artists; they all carry the same seal, which is what stands out in the song, instead of highlighting the melody, the tone or the message to be transmitted.
- When using “Autotune” he carries the stigma of a bad singerfor the simple fact of using it, since it is understood that a voice unable to sing is being hidden.
- The direct ones are a very different product to the content of a disc, which may be something that disappoints many, or what is worse, the user continues to be deceived with false directs to maintain the style of the tracks.
Best applications with Autotune to sing well and in tune on your Android or iPhone mobile
The truth is that this market is not overly exploited, although it is true that there are many, there are not many Autotune-type apps, the truth is that there are only a few that are really good and recommendable and these are the following:
Tune Me
With her, voice is processed automaticallyas you sing To support you you have half a hundred rhythms. In addition, this application allows you to work with parameters such as the voice volume and rhythm. Sound recording occurs on several tracks and we have the “Chorus” effect to encourage you to emulate a gospel. This first application is offered only for users using devices with the Android operating system.
Voloco – Automatic tuning of voice and harmony
Voloco is an Autotune-type mobile application that is highly rated. Voice processing is done in real time, based on the musical melody that is in the background to make the corresponding modifications; that is, it adapts our tone so that it resembles the music.
If you prefer, you can also work with Voloco studio type, recording yourself and then applying the effects yourself, existing four modifier versions of the voice. In either case, the result is an MP4 track that can be played at will and shared. If you are interested, know that you can download it for both iOS and Android phones.
AutoRap
This is a specific app, since it does not modulate your voice without further ado, but what it does is give him a rap intonation whatever you say, whatever it is.
To achieve this, it puts at your disposal a hundred rhythms you can play and just talk (or sing). The application will modify your audio to make it something better in tune according to the style you have chosen. You can share the results both through social networks and with other users of the application, without having to leave it. We also find this software on Android and iOS.
StarMaker – Sing Karaoke Free
This is one karaoke app that offers you a large number of effects to modify your voice while you sing hundreds of songs. Also, you can record yourself and share the performance with anyone, inside or outside the app. We find it, again, in both Apple and Google stores.
He saw
Finally we have Vio, an app that It’s only for post production., that is, it does not change your voice at the moment. It includes many vocal morph filters as well as modulation, so you’re going to get really good results, harmonized in a way that it can look almost professional with a little practice. You can share the content through Dropbox, SoundCloud, email, Vimeo, YouTube or messages. Vio is only offered on iOS, both on iPhones and iPads.
You can see the most complete list of the entering here.
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