Do you know Autotune? Sure! Even if you are not a fan of applications or music, everyone has heard about this voice processor, and usually does not go hand in hand with a good opinion . But … is this fair? Are we talking about an inadequate tool in the sector?
On this occasion we are going to see exactly what Autotune is, what it means, what advantages and disadvantages it has and in what ways it can be used . In addition, we make some recommendations if you want to try it.
In this way, we hope it is you who can forge an opinion about what is a very good resource for us if it is used well.
Index:
What is the AutoTune and what is it used for? Definition
Auto-tune , pronounced and commonly known as «autotun», is an audio processing software that modifies the voice. Its function is to correct imperfections or inaccuracies that may occur when recording music content. In this way, a reality is masked with a bit of editing , in the style of Photoshop, which is used to retouch images, but in audio format.
Its design was made as a plugin for professional audio software , of those for use in studio 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 Andy Hildebrand , was used in a song released to the market, for the first time, in 1998, being Cher’s “Believe” . From that moment on, the use of “something special” (that they were silent, indicating that they had used another product) was evident, becoming known as characteristic of Autotune as “ Cher Effect ” or “ Vococher «.
Its operation, in a rudimentary state, went through a tone detection given by correlation , which is nothing more than a sequential dependency, which was a novelty, Well, until now we worked 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, less consuming version of resources; This went from working with a million multipply adds to only four, which opened the doors of the sector.
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 corrective technology of tone for voice .
Due to its popularity, we currently find many other voice modulation programs, more and less professional, that allow us to work our songs and clarify the way we communicate when we record tracks or videos. However, it is difficult for someone to refer to voice modification in a different way than «used Autotune» , the effect already has a first and last name, at least in the next decades.
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It is very important to emphasize that the software is not only used to create that characteristic effect that we all know but that diverse solutions can be implemented . That is, is not just a type of effect , much less.
In fact, this processor is used to work the voice in a really subtle and imperceptible way and is part of most tracks we hear , only that its presence is not evident; and if it is not this is another one 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, for example.
Is it ethical to use the autotune to sing and sound better?
It is a good question if we consider that its best known use is voice distortion to make it more melodic. Although we have already seen that this is a program that does much more, the truth is that the criticisms are always focused on its use to modify the voice too much , with the argument that the tracks are a hoax .
In this way, possibilities are given to characters who, for one reason or another, are known to sell, denying such opportunities to unknown talented artists, something that, without a doubt, is, at least, unfair.
On the ethical … this is undoubtedly a personal opinion . I can say that it does not matter if the famous shift uses or does not auto-tune, in my opinion, I think that his followers would consume his products (songs or anything else) regardless of quality of these so I do not consider that this application is opening the doors.
What it may have achieved is that producers are encouraged to work with people who need too many arrangements because they are not really good singers , favoring a market that has little or nothing to do with skills from a song professional but what, whether we like it or not, is consumed.
In any case, it is clear that its use has a series of advantages and disadvantages , both objective and subjective, that we should know to give the program the opportunity it deserves and to be able to weigh if it is being given, or not, an appropriate use depending on what circumstances.
Advantages
- Autotún can be used in a very subtle way , improving the musical quality at the vocal level without hearing modifications being perceived.
- We can create the famous Auto-Tune effect when extreme 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 very accurately, as a method of artistic expressiveness, as a punctual complement , and not to mask a voice.
- A can be provided greater musical variety in the same album.
- It is useful to give spectacle in some shows, showing different records and creations.
- You can give the voice a twist to make it look like something else.
- It facilitates the creation of tunes of the news or radio type.
- Makes it possible to lose me We spent time in the studio .
- Corrects specific errors that would cause us to repeat whole shots.
Disadvantages
- Its extreme use means a less effort by the artist.
- Similarly, it also allows less talented people to access the music market .
- Of course, we have to use extreme parameters of this plugin makes that the tracks sound very similar to each other, even with different artists; they all carry the same seal, which is what stands out from the song, instead of highlighting the melody, tone or message to be transmitted.
- When using «Autotun» the stigma is carried Of bad singer , by the simple fact of using it, because it is understood that a voice unable to sing is being hidden.
- The direct ones are a very different product > to the contents of a disc, which could be something that disappoints many, or worse, the user is still deceived with false directies to maintain the style of the tracks.
Best applications with Autotune to sing well and tuned on your Android or iPhone mobile
The truth is that this market is not too exploited, although it is true that there are many programs to edit sounds there are not many apps like Autotune, the truth is that there are only a few few that are really good and recommended and these are the following:
Tune Me
With it, the voice is processed automatically , as you sing. To support you you have half a hundred rhythms . In addition, this application allows you to work with parameters such as the volume of voice and rhythm . The sound is recorded in several tracks and we have the «Chorus» effect to encourage you to emulate a gospel. This first application is offered only for users who use devices with the Android operating system.
Voloco – Automatic voice tuning and harmony
Voloco is a mobile application of Autotune type that is very well valued. Voice processing is done in real time , based on the background music melody to make the corresponding modifications; that is, adapt our tone so that it resembles music.
If you prefer, you can also work with Studio type Voloco, recording yourself and then apply the effects yourself , with four versions of voice modifiers. In any case, the result is a track in MP4 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, because it does not modulate your voice without more but what it does is give a rap intonation to whatever you say, whatever it is.
To achieve this, it puts at your disposal a hundred rhythms that you can reproduce and simply speak (or sing). The application will modify your audio to make it something better toned 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 found this software on Android and iOS.
StarMaker – Sing free karaoke
This is a karaoke app that offers you a lot of effects to modify the voice while singing hundreds of songs . In addition, you can record yourself and share the performance with anyone, inside or outside the application. We find it, again, in both Apple and Google stores.
Vio
Finally we have Vio, an app that is only for postproduction , that is, it doesn’t modify your voice at the moment. It includes many vocal transformation filters as well as modulation filters , so that you will get really good results, harmonized so that it can seem almost professional with a little practice. You can share the content through Dropbox, SoundCloud, email, Vimeo, YouTube or messages. Saw is only offered on iOS, both on iPhones and iPads.
You can find the most complete list of the best applications to sing well and tuned for Android and iOS by entering here.