Auto-Tune
Digital vocal corrector
Auto-Tune is audio processing software that corrects pitch in vocal and instrumental performances, pushing notes to the nearest correct tone.
Used subtly, it makes singers sound more polished.
Used heavily, it creates a robotic, warbling effect that became a deliberate stylistic choice in pop and hip-hop: That track is so Auto-Tuned.
The term now describes any conspicuously pitch-corrected sound, whether or not the actual software was used.
- T-PainPitch-corrected R&B performer
- FutureAtlanta hip-hop artist
- memeShared online humor
- viralSpreading quickly online
Kanye · parody · SNL · satire · mainstream · hip-hop · trap · 2000s
Modular software extension
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- AntaresRed supergiant in Scorpius
- DAWAudio production software
- real-timeOccurring without processing delay
algorithm · formant · quantization · humanize · chromatic · tracking · latency
Made into common term
- brand-nameProprietary product name
- AntaresRed supergiant in Scorpius
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
Quality of being genuine
- talentInborn aptitude
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- purismInsistence on correctness
- criticismJudgment of faults
backlash · lip-syncing · musicianship · skill · crutch · overuse · dependence · artifice
Cher
Kanye · viral · parody · SNL · satire · mainstream · hip-hop · trap · 2000s · ubiquity
plugin
Modular software extension
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- AntaresRed supergiant in Scorpius
- DAWAudio production software
real-time · algorithm · formant · quantization · humanize · chromatic · tracking · latency
genericized
Made into common term
- brand-nameProprietary product name
- AntaresRed supergiant in Scorpius
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
authenticity
Quality of being genuine
criticism · backlash · lip-syncing · musicianship · skill · crutch · overuse · dependence · artifice · integrity
pitch
Frequency of sound
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- transparencyState of being see-through
- naturalNot artificially produced
artifact · warble · glitch · flutter · snap · tone · flat · sharp · key · scale
- Music SoftwarePro Tools, GarageBand, Ableton, Cakewalk, Sibelius
- 2000s MusicBeyonce, Britney Spears, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Usher
- music productioncomposing, autotune, synthesizer, producing, arranging
- audio effectsreverb, delay, flanger, chorus effect, phaser
- music technologysynthesizer, electric guitar, amplifier, MIDI, drum machine
- recordingrecording, mixing, mastering, editing, overdubbing
Auto-Tuneunedited
Not yet corrected
analog recording · live recording · warts-and-all · lo-fi · unplugged
Auto-Tunenatural talent
vocal training · innate ability · perfect pitch · authenticity · ear training