Quote:
Originally posted by RobMacki
I think the analogy is or should be:
Movies are to CDs as Theatre is to Live Music |
Still, in the theater you can tell how good an actor is.
My problem with Autotune is that it has become the defacto-standard and not so much a tool to be used to repair things that are otherwise unrepairable.
The other day an engineer I (used to) respect dropped by and was listening to rough mixes of a new project we're producing here for a well-known Folk/Americana artist. His first statement was a great compliment - "Are these mixes mastered?" That felt great. Next, he shot himself in the foot by saying "Wow, you've really got the Autotune working great on the vocal!"
I coulda' slapped him!
After I explained that there was no Autotune and that the singer could actually sing, he seemed bewildered and confused - Like it was unthinkable that Autotune could actually be left OUT of a mix! Oh, the horror!
In any event (to get back on topic), I have no problems when tools are used judiciously - Either live or in the studio. My beef is when they become crutches to prop otherwise sub-standard performances. Or worse, when they get used when they're not even needed! I watched a TV special not too long ago that featured many big artists from the 70s/80s. Whoever was mixing the live feed had Autotune on EVERY artist. I mean, Autotune on Aretha Franklin??? Ferchrissakes!
So, yeah, we still do vocal comps in the studio. We still do overdubs. We still do multiple takes. However, all these things do one thing that Autotune doesn't - They capture a PERFORMANCE.
Again, I ask - Illusion or rip-off?