Antares Auto Tune

Hope209 · 21st January 2006

I've had this damn thing for almost six months now and I can't use it properly. I read somewhere where Tal Herzberg said he could successfully turn a "donkey into Pavarotti." Is that just a bunch of bs? When using Auto-Tune I can either make it really obvious and sound like Cher, or very subtle and not very useful. Does anyone know of any books or sites that offer Auto-Tune tips?

wwittman · 21st January 2006

All i can say is learn to use graphic mode and almost NEVER use the Auto mode except as a quick check to see what it might do.

You can then decide to fix only the truly offensive bits and also can choose between redrawing the pitch of a particular note (to be perfect) or moving the existing pitch curve (which might have some little dips and peaks in it) up or down CLOSER to perfect... more centered int he right place, which is a LOT more musical and less noticable.

Phrases involving donkeys and fat opera singers are clearly HYPE.
Like any time I hear anyone say "I PLAY the console like it's my instrument..."
(retch)

JonCraig · 21st January 2006

yep. graphical only here. also, make sure you're tuning in reference to another instrument. i always tune based on how the vocal sounds with an acoustic & bass, that sort of thing.

--jon

Farview · 21st January 2006

The graphic mode is the only way. BTW, it will turn a weak, out of tune performance into just a weak performance. It will turn a great performance, that is a little pitchy, into a great performance.

Chris Parsons · 21st January 2006

Get DP

JonCraig · 21st January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Parsons

Get DP

and work less intuitively.

--jon

Toad · 22nd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farview

The graphic mode is the only way. BTW, it will turn a weak, out of tune performance into just a weak performance. It will turn a great performance, that is a little pitchy, into a great performance.

Right on!! Thank you!! thumbsup

DontLetMeDrown · 22nd January 2006

Another thing that nobody else mentioned: Mead the manual. It is a tought read, for sure, but it will help you understand how the program functions. It definitely helped me a lot.

Dickens · 23rd January 2006

I've noticed that as an insert in auto mode Auto Tune has a slightly random treatment. It doesn't always do the same thing exactly the same way each time you run throught it. Could that be because I'm using PT le?

De chromium cob · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope209

Tal Herzberg said he could successfully turn a "donkey into Pavarotti." Is that just a bunch of bs?

TOTAL BS. I'll jump on the bandwagon of graphic mode ONLY. I have never ever been able to get acceptable results with auto mode.
And I wish they would make that damn graphic window bigger...what a PITA!!!!

JonCraig · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

And I wish they would make that damn graphic window bigger...what a PITA!!!!

YES!!! and more zoom-able. i always get to that point where you can't horizontally zoom any further... i hate that.

--jon

C_F_H_13 · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

TOTAL BS. I'll jump on the bandwagon of graphic mode ONLY. I have never ever been able to get acceptable results with auto mode.
And I wish they would make that damn graphic window bigger...what a PITA!!!!

I wouldn't say it's total BS! I've watched TAL work, and he really can do some absolutely ridiculous tuning!! He's got alot of tricks that would put most pro "tuners" to shame.

However, you are all right. Graphical mode is the only real way to go if you want it to sound real (well.....real-er). The hardest part is notes with vibrato, those will take alot more time to get sounding natural (again...naturaler....that's not a word is it?). My suggestions....very simple, but maybe you might have missed them.

1. Put the KEY in. Even if you have perfect pitch, the visual aspect will make it easier.

2. Spend some time messing with the "retune" and "tracking" settings, as well as the "input type" . I've found that there's no real default setting that works for everybody, so spending five minutes getting those settings right will definetly help.

3. Redraw the curves, not straight lines. I've watched so many guys just draw a square line on the note and wonder why it sounds wierd!

4. If there's one note in a phrase/word/sylable that really needs harder tuning than the rest try this little trick. Start from the really bad note (or maybe a little before) with the retune set to fast. Right after AT grabs that note and tunes, option-click the retune knob to make it go back to a more normal setting before the next word/sylable.

5. Have an piano/bass synth/module/sound maker (HA!) open at the same time. It really helps to have a good pitch reference to really check tuning.

I hope some of this helps, but if you're having trouble with AT, maybe you should go to Melodyne! Melodyne 3 just came out and it makes tuning soooo much easier!! for me anyways.....

De chromium cob · 23rd January 2006

Sorry, "donkey into Pavarotti" IS total BS..... donkey into Ashley Simpson is plausable.... And I think I read somewhare an actual donkey WAS used for her tracks.....

BTW, Good tips- See, 'Dont let me drown', you don't need no stinking manual, just spend too much time reading posts on gearslutz....

JonCraig · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_F_H_13

5. Have an piano/bass synth/module/sound maker (HA!) open at the same time. It really helps to have a good pitch reference to really check tuning.

more appropriately, have the bass, or rythym guitar part solo'd w/ the vocal. that way you can be certain the changes you make will fit with the track... not just what's supposed to be right. kinda like when someone says "yeah, tune to the studio piano... it's right", despite the fact that a front is moving in and the air pressure changes have caused the piano to slip a few cents sharp.

--jon

C_F_H_13 · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonCraig

more appropriately, have the bass, or rythym guitar part solo'd w/ the vocal. that way you can be certain the changes you make will fit with the track... not just what's supposed to be right. kinda like when someone says "yeah, tune to the studio piano... it's right", despite the fact that a front is moving in and the air pressure changes have caused the piano to slip a few cents sharp.

--jon

Very good point. My idea only applied to the horrible pop music world of perfection.

JP11 · 23rd January 2006

Autotune? What is this, the 90's?

Dangerous Dave · 23rd January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

Sorry, "donkey into Pavarotti" IS total BS..... donkey into Ashley Simpson is plausable.... And I think I read somewhare an actual donkey WAS used for her tracks.....

Now that was funny...!

djbrough · 23rd January 2006

Get Melodyne. It makes pitch correction as easy as editing midi.

Hope209 · 23rd January 2006

Anyone care to share their experience with melodyne?

RobR · 29th January 2006

Yes.

lordmiguel · 30th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope209

Anyone care to share their experience with melodyne?

it's really great for tuning up what you need, takes a little extra time but you can be guaranteed to get exactly what and where you want when you need it.

autotune works ok on some, not on all. i think melodyne is the best thing out there. its not a plug and play though, but i don't believe there is anything out there to "set it and forget it".

RobR · 19th February 2006

Melodyne is excellent and it is confusing and difficult (referring to the original).

21st January 2006	#1
Hope209 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 704 Thread Starter	Antares Auto Tune I've had this damn thing for almost six months now and I can't use it properly. I read somewhere where Tal Herzberg said he could successfully turn a "donkey into Pavarotti." Is that just a bunch of bs? When using Auto-Tune I can either make it really obvious and sound like Cher, or very subtle and not very useful. Does anyone know of any books or sites that offer Auto-Tune tips?

21st January 2006	#2
wwittman one man, ONE mic pre Joined: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 2,303	All i can say is learn to use graphic mode and almost NEVER use the Auto mode except as a quick check to see what it might do. You can then decide to fix only the truly offensive bits and also can choose between redrawing the pitch of a particular note (to be perfect) or moving the existing pitch curve (which might have some little dips and peaks in it) up or down CLOSER to perfect... more centered int he right place, which is a LOT more musical and less noticable. Phrases involving donkeys and fat opera singers are clearly HYPE. Like any time I hear anyone say "I PLAY the console like it's my instrument..." (retch) __________________ William Wittman Producer/Engineer (Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield...) prorecordingworkshop.lefora.com thewombforums.com

21st January 2006	#3
JonCraig Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,800	yep. graphical only here. also, make sure you're tuning in reference to another instrument. i always tune based on how the vocal sounds with an acoustic & bass, that sort of thing. --jon __________________ "My job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --George Massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Here.

21st January 2006	#4
Farview Gear addict Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 387	The graphic mode is the only way. BTW, it will turn a weak, out of tune performance into just a weak performance. It will turn a great performance, that is a little pitchy, into a great performance. __________________ Jason 'Jay' Walsh Farview Recording - And check out Farview's Rock Drum samples for Drumagog exclusively at the Drumagog store!!!

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21st January 2006	#5
Chris Parsons Lives for gear Joined: May 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 710	Get DP

22nd January 2006	#8
DontLetMeDrown Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,789	Another thing that nobody else mentioned: Mead the manual. It is a tought read, for sure, but it will help you understand how the program functions. It definitely helped me a lot.

23rd January 2006	#9
Dickens Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 165	I've noticed that as an insert in auto mode Auto Tune has a slightly random treatment. It doesn't always do the same thing exactly the same way each time you run throught it. Could that be because I'm using PT le?

23rd January 2006	#13
De chromium cob Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,659	Sorry, "donkey into Pavarotti" IS total BS..... donkey into Ashley Simpson is plausable.... And I think I read somewhare an actual donkey WAS used for her tracks..... BTW, Good tips- See, 'Dont let me drown', you don't need no stinking manual, just spend too much time reading posts on gearslutz....

23rd January 2006	#16
JP11 Banned Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,306	Autotune? What is this, the 90's?

23rd January 2006	#18
djbrough Gear addict Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 398	Get Melodyne. It makes pitch correction as easy as editing midi.

29th January 2006	#20
RobR Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 446	Yes.

19th February 2006	#22
RobR Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 446	Melodyne is excellent and it is confusing and difficult (referring to the original).

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