Pat,
You wrote the most and you have good points. I'm faster on the tongue then I should be so sometimes my points are not taken the way I intended.
1. If you are writing music and the most important thing for you is to get the message out that you're trying to send via the lyrics, then by all means do what it takes. I wonder though what it would have been like if pitch correction had been available to one of the greatest poets going? Bob Dylan of course. Couldn't carry a tune in a bushel basket. I think he got the message out though. I know we're not in the 60s anymore.
2. Pros use it. Sure they do however they can sing.Have worked hard at it.Not productive if Lady Gaga has just recorded a track in NY and has flown to London and all of a sudden the producer hears a slight clam in the vocal track & has to fly her back to sing a small part. Use whatever tool you have in this case.
3. Using RTs & RDs because you can't play those instruments is not the same ,to me, as manipulating your voice to sing on key & saying it's you.
4. Bottom line is I'm just trying to say is work on it before giving in to the tools. If you just can't get it well use it as opposed to not singing at all.

Remember the old days of recording "we'll fix it in the mix". I disliked that phrase also. Just me.

John
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"The only Band is a Real Band"
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