Let's talk about Auto-Tune..

[Inventor]

This topic was brought up on a local concert goers forum I frequent and I thought it would be a great thing to discuss as well as debate here. This is not a thread about "music" in general so please do not move this thread. It is about the effect known as auto tune and its effect on the economy as well as society in this day and age. It certainly has a major impact in our current culture.

For those who don't know what Auto-Tune, here is the Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-Tune

Some thoughts against Auto-Tune:
The sound is fluctuated in such a robotic and unpleasant way.

The effect either makes people sound like a robot or "fixes" vocals in an unnatural way. I argue that although it can make for an "error free" performance vocal wise for a singer or musician, respect is lost. The art is therefore tainted.

It's like having a beautiful painting, taking the colors and making them "modern art" by forming a box of some sort.

It may be pleasant to some but I admire the challenge and creativity involved with a painting. I also feel the same way about a song.

Respect tends to be gaged based on some sort of obstacle or challenge that eventually is overcome in a fully positive way.

The obstacle is the painting. It can either be a colorful square or a beautiful woman with long hair.

What effect does this have on our economy? Things are processed and therefore lose value. Gwen Stefani can make a hit song in 20 minutes instead of weeks just to get it right. The radio plays that song that took 20 minutes to make and suddenly everyone's listening to it. Once it's garbage they keep playing it and throw in another 20 minute song.

Instead of using quality pieces of art from a band/singer/songwriter/musician they need to have a songwriter that writes the songs all ahead of time with the newest lingo and then have some teen popstar with a face people know sing it just for people to enjoy it.

I'm sorry for derailing the original thread.. Just making a few points. Feel free to add.

 

[Jeezai]

Not only does it ruin the quality of the music (and it is an art), but it ruins the whole genre, and any artists that might be working to perfect it without using such an application. Thoughts?

 

[JohnK]

What effect has it had on society? Can you prove that it has had an (negative) effect on economy? I say, if you don't like the music, then don't listen to it. There are plenty of musicians who don't use Auto-tune. Nobody asked or cared for your opinion... (Failing to see what can be intelligently debated here)

 

[Inventor]

When you are forced to listen to something every time you turn on the television or radio, even when you're watching a movie, it surely has some impact.

Instead of it taking a week+ to write a song for a movie, they come up with some garbage song and add it. The movie then cost less to make and is therefore worth less money.

 

[Triggerfinger]

So you have to be referring to Lil Wayne, considering that is mostly all he does anymore.

My opinion of it? It sucks, it isn't that great. A few songs with it doesn't bother me, but when your mixtapes and main stream CD's use it all the time? No thank you.


Jay Z got it right in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z13AjI8n4I

 

[DropKick Murphys]

Bon Iver used it well in his Blood Bank ep, imo.

It's just like everything else: a tool that can be either add a cool touch or just sound like garbage.

 

[Lon3r]

Ah, but inventor, the great thing about it is noone forces you to tune into that certain station, or even turn on the radio at all.


"The movie then cost less to make and is therefore worth less money."

I would like to point out The Blair Witch project. (This isn't a debate about if it was good or not, just an example to show that statement isn't always true.)
Budget $500,000-$750,000
Gross revenue $248,639,099

That movie cost less to make then Die Hard and it also grossed more.
Budget $30,000,000 (estimated)
Gross revenue $138,708,852 (worldwide)


I personally don't have a problem with Auto Tune and enjoy most of the songs it's in.

 

[Kadaj]

I think it's a great addition to the Music scene. Kanye West uses it alot and look at the big hits he's had.

 

[Triggerfinger]

I think it's a great addition to the Music scene. Kanye West uses it alot and look at the big hits he's had.

Before his alcoholic trip lol.

 

[Inventor]

So you have to be referring to Lil Wayne, considering that is mostly all he does anymore.

My opinion of it? It sucks, it isn't that great. A few songs with it doesn't bother me, but when your mixtapes and main stream CD's use it all the time? No thank you.


Jay Z got it right in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z13AjI8n4I

Jay Z doesn't have it right at all. He collaborates with Lil Wayne then talks about death of auto tune?

What a joke

 

[Triggerfinger]

Jay Z doesn't have it right at all. He collaborates with Lil Wayne then talks about death of auto tune?

What a joke

He actually said he wasn't directing it to Wayne or Pain. But the other bitch rappers that come up and think they can rap with auto tune only.

 

[Schnell]

Lil Wayne does it wrong. His old raps are good, but nowadays I can't stand listening to him.

 

[Scoff]

He actually said he wasn't directing it to Wayne or Pain. But the other bitch rappers that come up and think they can rap with auto tune only.

All T-Pain uses is Auto-Tune and if you listen to the song he says "Get back to rap you T-Pain'n too much" which I'm pretty sure is aimed directly at T-Pain.

 

[Triggerfinger]

All T-Pain uses is Auto-Tune and if you listen to the song he says "Get back to rap you T-Pain'n too much" which I'm pretty sure is aimed directly at T-Pain.

...Jay assured an interviewer this weekend that his jabs aren't aimed at Kanye, nor at repeat Auto-Tune offenders like Lil Wayne or even T-Pain himself, which leaves it even less clear just who he is going after here...

http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/06/08/jayz-death-autotune-stream/

 

[lilshortxpnoy]

It depends autotune is good if they make good music with it, and not over abuse it on every track they're on.

 

[JohnK]

When you are forced to listen to something every time you turn on the television or radio, even when you're watching a movie, it surely has some impact.

Instead of it taking a week+ to write a song for a movie, they come up with some garbage song and add it. The movie then cost less to make and is therefore worth less money.

How are you "forced" to listen to Auto-tune? Can you give me an example of it being used in movies?

 

[lilshortxpnoy]

T-pain is an example of great autotune, and ron brownz "pop champagne" is an example of crap. You aren't really forced to listen to autotune and I love autotune especially in the jerking movement, especially Cold Flamez and New Boyz. This is only my opinion and I live in Cali so I don't know about you guys.

For the "hip hop" heads who think they "know" music, stop fucking fronting. Music evolves so get with the fucking program. Music will always change over time and if you think one genre is the best, to tell you the truth there is no best. Stop being narrow minded about things and broaden your horizons.

Autotune is the shit and I love it.

 

[Scoff]

People think Kanye is all about Auto-Tune but it was only 808's and Heartbreak since he liked the style it gave his voice, since he wanted to sound unemotional and heartless, I think it's all right as long as he doesn't let the Auto-Tune do all his work and take over his career.

Auto-Tune is all right in my opinion as long as you know the artist has other tracks without it and can prove he deserves the hits he or she is making.

 

[Mordafrem]

It's freaking annoying imo.

 

[ilikepie1]

It was somewhat cool when T-Pain started using it, but now it's just a chore because almost everyone with a microphone is using it. If you have to mask your voice with auto-tune to get listeners, then you shouldn't be singing in the first place.