You can usually count on PBS's long-running science-and-other-wonders show NOVA for in-depth examinations of Eurasian spider monkeys, Mayan heiroglyphs, deep-space dark matter, and other National Geographic-type topics.
This past week, however, the show took a sharp turn at T-Pain Avenue, examining the origins and operation of the popular pitch-correction software Auto-Tune. And while it's not exactly Jay-Z running it HOVA-style, it's still pretty interesting. Watch below, and learn, among other things, the work that went into Cher's immortal robo-diva chorus for her 1998 hit "Believe":
Tell me, Music Mixers, is Auto-Tune a fun studio toy and an artist's prerogative to use as they wish, or is it a pox on current pop music?
More from EW's Music Mix:
Admit it: You are (I am?) excited about the new Blake Lewis CD!
Whitney Houston's new single 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength': Will it be a hit?
Michael Jackson's musical legacy: Tell us how you remember him
Salt n Pepa's Pepa and TLC's Chili enter the celebreality fray
Mariah Carey as Eminem: Yes, that's really her
I hate what has happened to autotune and talkboxes. Zapp and Roger used talkboxes in the 80s and it was brilliant electro funk with real soul in it that just happened to sound futuristic. Now any no talent clown can use it to skate by with no talent. I refuse to say I hate it because of 80′s funk and its uses there, but as of now, I’m not a big fan.
Auto Tune is absolutely a pox upon the music industry. The program makes it acceptable for new acts to lack the kind of talent and work ethic of their predecessors. While it’s no secret that music executives seek out new performers who are hot and sexy and young, the presence and well-known use of Auto Tune makes it okay for their new commodities to be a little off-key, or to have a voice that is a note or two off. It lowers the bar just a little bit more, and lower standards mean mediocre music at best.
Heaven forbid we have singers who can sing instead of simply model fashion trends and hock consumable products. God help us if we have real musicians who can write and play their own music without having to be pretty.
There was a time when music was not about image. I know it’s hard to believe, and I know that time is long gone. But with Auto Tune in heavy play, it doesn’t bode well for original talent in the industry. We get more corporate robots.
Whats the difference between Auto tunes and fruity Loops?
http://fiestamovement.com/agents/view/58
Remember Kanye West’s ‘Love Lockdown’ on SNL a while back? Ugghh, without auto-tune, he sucked; and I find the song catchy.
It is arguably one of our worst creations.
I have a Macbook and Im using broadband, yet it still took close to 5 minutes to load the whole video! What Gives?
GET A P.C;AUTO-TUNE=NO TALENT!
Go to Youtube and watch
LITTLE MONKEY BOY CLIMBING
its a hilarious video!
As someone who has spent most of their life and four years of college tuition payments towards the study of music, it kills me that people who can’t do something as simple as sing in tune are able to release professional-sounding recordings. That, coupled with the fact that many recording artists don’t even write their own music makes me wonder if we can even call these people “musicians” at all.
Reminds me of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKuo-5t1BDc
Just looking for the name of the song at 5:24 in the video!!!!