I’m going to add my two cents on this discussion. Not directed at anyone just how I feel.

I think the perfection movement has sucked the life right out many performances especially coupled with the loudness wars. Pitch correction - at least at the level we’re talking about here as opposed to the major studio units which are beyond most of our budgets - does color the sound and change the “character” of the voice - it’s not transparent. If you’re slightly flat or sharp and you’re tuning yourself to still be slightly flat or sharp then technically imo if you’re not dead on pitch you are still flat or sharp. These programs are not perfect - you correct thinking it’s right and you’re off. Most musicians performances are not pitch perfect either. So here’s your perfect vocal now clashing with any off notes from another instrument. I’m just trying to make a point here that perfection like missiles is a slippery slope.

As a singer, sometimes I’m dead on and sometimes I miss it. Sometimes I use pitch correction sometimes I let it go. If the feel of the song is there and you turn me off there’s nothing I can do about that unless I was just lazy in which case the feel would not be there. I think it’s a shame it’s come to this. And what I find really funny is that everyone today is a pitch expert. I was in a band years ago with two members who really did have perfect pitch and were fabulous musicians but neither of them were good lead singers.

There was an artist not long ago who put a disclaimer on her album that “no pitch correction was used on this album” - it took guts and did not hurt her sales. So there is a growing backlash to this artificial perfection at all costs mentality. I saw a recent interview with a current multi platinum producer who feels when it’s too perfect it’s sterile and what he wants is human with a great feel. I agree with that.

For me good singers come in two basic flavors pretty and unique. Both can move you emotionally. If someone is not one of these pitch correction is not going to make them one. If it makes anyone feel better to use it I say go ahead. Personally I won’t turn someone’s music off unless they sing something really grating - as long as they are making me feel something and the song doesn’t totally suck.

Josie

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