Aima Baig and Sara Raza face to face: What is Auto-Tune and why is it 'embarrassing' for singers to use it?

Even if you are not a professional singer, you must at least hum. While singing your favorite song, everyone probably feels like they are doing full justice to the tone and rhythm.  Now, no matter how much this is going on the ears of the listeners.

 

But now everyone can make their voice flawless and melodious with the help of technology. The software known as Auto-Tune deserves the credit.

 

Although this technology is now common in the music industry, it has caused controversy among Pakistan's best singers.

 

Social media in Pakistan has been discussing the statements made by two Pakistani singers about Auto-Tune for the past few days, prompting other artists to share their opinions. Most people are describing both songs as good and melodious.

 

 

Incidentally, another singer, Sara Raza Khan, said about Aima Baig, a famous Pakistani singer, "If there is no autotune, Aima Baig is not a singer at all."

 

At first, Aima remained silent, but then she sang a song of her own, shared it on social media, and then asked, "Who is this aunty?"

 

 

 

What is autotune?

You can use Auto-Tune to correct minor pitch errors in songs sung in your natural voice. However, in contemporary pop or hip-hop music, Auto-Tune primarily serves to generate a 'robotic vocal' effect.

 

The American company Antarus Audio Technologies created the audio processing software Autotune in September 1997.

 

Auto-Tune is a digital tool that adjusts and corrects the pitch of recorded sounds and instruments.

 

Originally, the purpose of Auto-Tune was to conceal or rectify intonation errors, enabling the perfect tuning of songs.

 

In 1998, American singer Sher used Auto-Tune to distort vocals in her song 'Believe', after which the technique became popular.

Many artists around the world have since used it.

 

Initially recognized as a pitch-correction tool, Auto-Tune has transformed the music industry forever. Over the past two decades, his influence has revolutionized music and sound culture as a whole.

 

And today it's an indispensable tool in every producer's toolkit around the world.

 

Is using Auto-Tune embarrassing for artists?

In this regard, Ahmed Jahanzeb, the foremost musician and singer in Pakistan, said while talking that Auto-Tune has been used for many years, and it is used in different ways.

 

Ahmad Jahanzeb says that 'everyone is not born melodious, and even melodists have some flaws. There are very few people who don't need fine-tuning.'

 

He clarified that Autotune is actually for fine-tuning and not support. However, he clarified that for those who are not singers, it might serve as a form of support.

 

Ahmad Jahanzeb said, 'I myself use Auto-Tune sometimes.'

 

He said that 'big singers in Bollywood and Hollywood also use it because not everyone can be melodious all the time. It should not be taken negatively.'

 

Is this software detrimental to singers?

 

Ahmed Jahanzeb, a musician and singer, questions the stigmatization of Auto-Tune, a useful technology.

 

He asserts that we should acknowledge that no one is perfect in this world.

 

Every great singer, he claims, is aware of when his voice breaks, when it becomes disturbed, and when the tone is off. We keep listening to live performances. There is a significant distinction between live performances and recordings.

 

He said that music styles are changing and expanding. 'Musical innovation should be embraced.'

 

Ahmed Jahanzeb asserts that the advent of the microphone and recording in the 1930s marked the beginning of the use of technology in the music industry. Using technology is not bad.'

 

"If we say we like the music of the 1920s, we'll only listen there; everything else is bullshit," he said. So it's not right'.

 

He stated that there is no advantage in engaging in such a conflict. Badmouthing someone yields no benefits.

 

Ahmad Jahanzeb said, 'It is not right to challenge or humiliate anyone. There are already very few people in the music world; if someone is coming, encourage them.'

 

 

How does Auto-Tune work?

Auto-Tune analyses the audio signal to detect vocal notes, i.e., the fluctuations of the tones in the voice. The software detects a pitch, compares it to a predetermined scale or desired tone, and converts the recorded pitch to the nearest note if it differs from this reference.

 

You can also adjust the speed through this feature. This allows you to control whether the voice sounds robotic after manipulation.

 

With Autotune, artists can express their creativity in unlimited ways, many of which have never been tried.

 

The main function of Autotune is pitch correction. If the singer is slightly off-pitch, Auto-Tune can adjust their pitch to the nearest true semitone (or any pitch desired).

 

You can use it to correct minor vowel errors. You can also create the robotic effect, a popular feature in hip-hop and trap music.

 

You can also use Auto-Tune to create a variety of sound effects, such as vocal effects.

 

Modern versions of Auto-Tune software also provide real-time pitch correction during live performances, helping singers stay in tune even on stage.

 

Typically used for vocals, Autotune can also correct the pitch of monophonic musical instruments.

 

Can anyone become a singer with the help of Auto-Tune?

In response to this question, musician and singer Ahmed Jahanzeb says, "This software has a lot of scope; if you are completely out of tune, it brings your voice into tune."

 

Elaborating further, he said, 'In addition to this, there are vocal structures; some people make a sound from the throat, some from the chest, or from the nose, so it can fix that too.'

 

However, Ahmed Jahanzeb asserts that live performances highlight the vulnerabilities of such singers. In real life, numerous renowned artists, including Hollywood singers, have admitted to having a recording playing in the background.

 

He stated that "melody singers do not need to feel threatened." The performance will reveal their secret directly.

 

According to Ahmad Jahanzeb, one should enjoy technology if the final product is good and the music sounds pleasing to the ear.