THE BEAST

This is a really difficult question to answer. 

We all now have such high expectation of all productions that a small amount of tweaking seems reasonable. You may also take the view that it is the song that is important, and it is the artists duty to make the song as near to “perfect” as possible. Also, of course auto tune can be used as a creative tool in itself.

What is Autotune? 

For those not in touch with current tech, Auto-Tune, is pitch correction software that has become a a widely used tool in the music industry. 

Its ability to subtly or drastically adjust vocal pitch has revolutionised the way recordings are made. 

One of the main advantages of Auto-Tune is its ability to correct slight vocal inaccuracies, providing a polished and professional sound. It allows artists to achieve pitch-perfect performances, enhancing the overall quality of recordings. 

How Available Is It

This software is everywhere! Many DAW package now come with Autotune included. Also stand alone “plugins” are available which integrate with most DAW packages. Here are a few examples:

The most common software for Auto-Tune, widely used in the music industry, are:

• Antares Audio Technologies' Auto-Tune is one of the pioneering and most widely recognized pitch correction software. It offers various features, including real-time pitch correction, formant correction, and creative effects.
• Melodyne by Celemony is a powerful pitch correction and editing software that allows for precise control over individual notes and pitch manipulation. It offers advanced tools for fine-tuning vocals and other melodic instruments.
• Waves Tune is a popular pitch correction plugin offered by Waves Audio. It provides real-time pitch correction and editing capabilities, along with features like vibrato control, pitch drift correction, and note detection.
• Logic Pro X, Apple's digital audio workstation, includes Flex Pitch, a built-in pitch correction tool. It allows users to edit and correct pitch directly within the DAW, providing flexibility and control over vocal performances.

Ethical Considerations 

The use of Auto-Tune in music raises important ethical considerations regarding artistic integrity, authenticity, and the transparency of the creative process. 

While Auto-Tune can be a valuable tool for enhancing vocal performances and achieving a desired sound, its misuse or overuse can compromise the honesty and emotional impact of the music.

One concern is the potential for misleading audiences. When a listener hears a flawless, pitch-perfect vocal performance, they may assume that it was achieved solely through the singer's natural talent and ability. However, if Auto-Tune was used extensively to correct pitch inaccuracies, the true nature of the performance and standing of the performed can be masked. We use the work “authentic” in conversation a lot in many areas. Authenticity here is challenged.

Authenticity, character and emotion is vital to the performance.  The use of Auto-Tune can make vocals sound a bit generic.

However, it is essential to recognize that ethical dilemmas surrounding Auto-Tune are not solely black and white. Auto-Tune can be used creatively and consciously as an artistic choice, rather than a crutch for correcting poor performances. It can enable experimentation and the creation of unique vocal effects that push the boundaries of traditional music. Also, how is this different from, say, using a chorus pedal to enhance the sound of a guitar? 

Creative Uses

A number of artists have used auto tune to create specific effects. T-Pain embraced the robotic and exaggerated vocal effect, incorporating it as a signature element in his R&B and hip-hop songs, such as "Buy U a Drank" and "Can't Believe It. Kanye West's album "808s & Heartbreak" is regarded as a game-changer. Imogen Heap's song "Hide and Seek" became a popular where it was used to create a haunting and atmospheric sound that added to the emotional intensity of the track. Also, more populist, Cher was an early adopter on the song Believe, where the chorus was heavily tune to give a robotic effect.

Autotune Ethical? It Depends

Ultimately, the ethics and integrity of using Auto-Tune in music lie in the intention and transparency of its use. 

Artists and producers should strive for openness and honesty, clearly communicating when Auto-Tune or other pitch correction tools are employed. Although how they do this is unclear. How do we know when listening to Spotify if autotune is employed

By doing so, they allow audiences to make informed judgments about the authenticity and artistic merit of the music they are listening to.