# Fuck the autotuner **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067 "2010-02-15T15:06:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/21 "2010-02-15T20:05:13Z")
There was a fear in some quarters in the early '80s that real drums were becoming obsolete because people were using the [LinnDrum](http://www.vintagesynth.com/linn/linn2.php) and other increasingly sophisticated drum machines for pop music. Although drum machines were and are popular they’ve never replaced a real drummer and are often used in a complimentary way rather than replacing a living drummer. Some songs from the era when this style predominated stand the test of time, others don’t. The same will be the case with the obviously auto-tuned tracks nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/22 "2010-02-15T20:25:00Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I actually really _liked_ that Cher song with the autotuner. I think it was '97 when it came out. [Looks like it was 1998.](http://www.amazon.com/Believe-Cher/dp/B00000F1D3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266265330&sr=1-1) Which is really freaking me out. I don’t remember ever hearing that recording before about 2008. So, it flew under my radar for about ten years. ETA: Autotuner sucks. It should automatically make any recording that is is used on ineligible to be distributed for money. I have spoken. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/23 "2010-02-15T20:28:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Holy crap, the United Nations one had me in tears. 😛 [They’ve been doing this for a while.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxGKlrS9SxE) And it’s good pop music! ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/24 "2010-02-15T20:39:39Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > ETA: Autotuner sucks. It should automatically make any recording that is is used on ineligible to be distributed for money. I have spoken. The problem is, used subtly, it is unnoticeable. It had been used long before it was abused to produce the “Cher Effect”. If it is used as intended, to tweeze a note or two in an otherwise great performance that was slightly flat or sharp, it is a tool for good. Even the greatest singers in the world can hit the occasional clunker, and prior to Autotune we had to do one of three things: [ol] [li]Do another whole performance (which might not be as good)[/li][li]Punch in the note (which might not work)[/li][li]Dub the note to another tape and vary the speed to correct (see above)[/li][/ol] Autotune is better than any of those three options. It should not be used to turn attractive mediocrities into pop stars, but that seems to be the current direction the industry has taken. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/25 "2010-02-16T18:34:40Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > The only think wrong with autotune is that the _effect_ is being overused in pop music right now. But like many things in pop music, it will fall from favor and something else will come along. > > The use of auto tune in the studio to help fix vocal performances isn’t going anywhere. It’s been around for a long time now and when done right, it’s flawless. Also, you can’t make a bad singer a good singer with autotune: > > [auto-tune-does-not-fix-a-bad-singer/](http://www.philoking.com/2009/06/04/antares-auto-tune-does-not-fix-a-bad-singer/) > > Without this kind of tool, a producer has to rely on either getting a perfect take, having the singer(s) punch in fixes or flying in another section of the vocal take to fix the issue. I assume that in some circumstances it’s just easier to use autotune to fix something. > > ETA: Since where are synths not “real instruments”? Is synthesized food real food? The word itself says that it is not. The molecules may match, but the source doesn’t ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/26 "2010-02-16T18:50:18Z")
Yeah, I have to say I’ve liked it in precisely two instances, where it was used as a special effect, not a necessity: - Cher’s [Do You Believe in Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXiECmCZ94), as mentioned above. - Madonna’s [Music](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdz2oW0NMFk&feature=fvw). Otherwise, when I hear it in songs by little pipsqueaks trying to be real singers, I want to smack someone. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/27 "2010-02-16T19:00:31Z")
Autotune used for good effect - [Rihanna’s “Disturbia”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IijQkeXl3nc) - she’s _supposed_ to sound weird and distorted and unnatural. It completely fits with the idea of the song. Using it for the whole song just because it’s cool - not good (T. Pain, I’m looking at you). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/28 "2010-02-16T19:09:38Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > Is synthesized food real food? > > The word itself says that it is not. The molecules may match, but the source doesn’t Frankly, this analogy is silly on several levels. First of all, the word itself says makes no such judgment. Second, anything that makes sound can be an instrument. What the hell difference does it make what the source is? It’s the musician behind the sound-generating device that turns it into an instrument, and turns that sound into what we call music. Thirdly, yes, I would say synthesized food is real food. It doesn’t make any difference to me where it comes from, as long as the result provides me with nutrition and sustenance. It may not be naturally occurring food, but it’s “real” food nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/29 "2010-02-16T22:41:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Holy crap, the United Nations one had me in tears. 😛 [A Glorious Dawn](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc) featuring Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking. - One of my favorite examples of using autotune in this way. > [@\*Argent Towers\*](#): > > In a few decades, one of two things is going to happen: > > The use of the autotuner will be looked back on as being just as ridiculous as the scenario I mentioned above, > > or, > > the scenario I mentioned above will be the state of mainstream music. > > Take your pick. Nope. Neither one most likely. Many audio technologies that were once thought of as somehow substituting for talent and feared as having the potential to ruin music, have become great artistic tools that were used in ways no one at the time could’ve possibly imagined. Turntablism and sampling (originally just playing other people’s music as something to rap over evolved into a complex art form), distortion (my dad once said that guitar players who can’t play use it to cover their mistakes), harmonizer effects (my guitar teacher in the 80s thought that guitarists like Vai and Satriani were just being lazy using harmonizers instead of playing all the harmonies). Heck, I don’t know for a fact, but I’d guess electronic amplification and microphones signaled the end of singers with talent at some point since opera singers in the 19th century didn’t need them to fill a concert hall. Personally I like the autotune effect in general, though I hate the way it’s currently used. I’m very curious to see what the great artists will soon be doing with it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/30 "2010-02-17T00:59:32Z")
If you’re using it to fix stuff, there’s better options out there. Autotune is specifically designed to be automatic, and that’s why it sucks. I think it will just be used for effects like flangers and stuff were, and on cheap albums that can’t afford the time to fix things up manually. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/31 "2010-02-18T10:07:38Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > Heck, I don’t know for a fact, but I’d guess electronic amplification and microphones signaled the end of singers with talent at some point since opera singers in the 19th century didn’t need them to fill a concert hall. The “crooning” style became possible with the advent of the electric microphone and I recall reading that initially the BBC was suspicious of this new style and refused to allow crooning artists on air. ---
**Author:** ![Vernon\_Vernons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ce73a5/32.png) [@Vernon\_Vernons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vernon_Vernons)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067/32 "2010-02-18T16:05:18Z")
> [@Tours d'Argent](#): > > Let me put it this way: > > If a mainstream music act decided to stop messing around with those stupid guitars, and start using an autoharp instead, would anyone take them seriously? “You know, actually playing a guitar is such a pain in the ass. It like, takes skill and stuff. We could get the same money and fame and chicks and everything with an autoharp. Why should we have to remember all those confusing guitar fingerings and all that stupid shit? Let’s just use the autoharp!” > > “And while we’re at it…you know, man, these drums are hard to play. I mean, you’ve got to use sticks and stuff, and pound on a pedal with your foot…why should I subject myself to this torment? I’ve got a Casio keyboard here with a bunch of pre-programmed drum beats - let’s just use this, OK?” > > “Yeah, and I’m sick of playing the piano. Goddammit, all those _chords_ and everything - you have any idea how hard it is to remember all that shit? And there are like, black keys AND white keys - how am I supposed to keep them straight? So how about we also use that Casio with the insta-chord settings so no matter what keys I press, it’ll be in the right key signature?” > > “Hey - doesn’t that Casio also have bass lines you can make it play? Like, you can press one of the keys on the left side and it’ll play a little bass line to accompany whatever you’re playing, so it’s all in the same key and everything. It’s so easy! Fuck, my bass guitar is so _heavy_ and the neck is so _long_ and I have to pluck the strings so hard, it just hurts my hand. And remembering all those fingerings! Fuck it! Let’s use those pre-programmed bass lines, okay?” You just described one of my favorite bands, [Xiu Xiu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co-PxM3-I9c). They are one of the more interesting bands currently making records. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-autotuner/529067.md?page=1)