'It's Easier to Fool People Than to Convince Them That They Have Been Fooled'

The existence of Autotune and Melodyne are not the problem. The problem is the culture that has developed around them amongst producers and sound engineers that sees them as a ubiquitous part of the process. It’s made it culturally impossible, virtually, for natural sounding voices, regardless of how good they are, to have any place in pop music. People who DON’T use it need to start getting loud about it. “Contains no digital pitch manipulation of vocals” needs to become a thing. Making it a selling point.

I’m an average music person that loves to listen to music and you couldn’t make it any clearer. Even I understand

I liked "obviously the kid's got talent"

I lost it at, “ now it sounds like it’s under water “. 😂

They used to say " you can't polish a turd" But with pitch correction you can but it turns it into something else just as unsavoury. Cheers fil

You have my deepest sympathy that you were driven to explain this.

"The kid's obviously got talent", your funniest comment yet Fil. LOL

Great video Phil, I agree with you the idea that pitch correction is just another 'effect' is wrong and misses the point you have taken pains to point out.

I am not a musician or a singer, but i understood your explanation of each "effect" and pitch correction. Thank you for taking the time to break it down for us. By the way, who was that talented young man singing and playing his guitar? Already, I like him a lot! Rock!

Misunderstood concept understood. 😊 Fil keep doing what you're doing. You're a good honest man. We love you!❤

I have to sing a modern(released in 2023), popular rock song for an upcoming musical at the end of March. I wasn't familiar with this band until now, but trying to learn the vocal from the studio track has been so frustrating because I was trying to replicate a fake voice. After seeing your work here, Fil, I started noticing that the vocalist in the track never breathed and sang things that he never could without breathing. Furthermore, his voice never sounded strained at all, even though the audio is all chest voice in a range that he cannot sing that way on the live tracks I have heard(he needed more falsetto). On top of that, the vocal for the radio version has been obviously pitch corrected. What's sad is that the guy for this rock band, has a great voice when I watched the live performances that taught me what the vocal truly sounded like. I feel like I can go forward now with a standard that I can meet. Thank you.

And there we have it!!

You re a very patient man, FIl. Seems like those arguing in favor of pitch correction are being willfully ignorant about what it is (NOT "just an effect). Keep teaching, though. You rock!

The lyrics are excellent.

This was both educational and humorous, I agree with you Fil, that kid as your subject has talents!

You and we know this is NOT the last time this is going to be explained. 🤣 Pitch correction moves the notes, an effect alters the sound of the note but it stays the SAME note. sharp-flat whatever, it stays the way it was made. 👍👍

Brilliantly done, Fil. Long time engineer speaking - the key word is..."Correction" - they are 'correcting' singers who can NOT sing !!! Every other effect is an embelishment(!!) to an already good vocal track. Pitch correcting software such as Antares Autotune and Celemony's Melodyne are primarily(!!) used to correct bad singers !!!

I'm not anything like a sound engineer/producer but I could have told you this before the video started - it's amazing that so called professionals really haven't a clue. It's probably why so much live music sounds like garbage these days and don't get me started on loudness......

The "kid" obviously has talent! Love it Fil, thanks so much for your professional perspective!

I was just in the kitchen buttering some toast and I found myself singing Whoah Oh Yeah. I think you've got a genuine hit on your hands, kid. Beato is going to be analyzing this one on his next Spotify top 10.

4:41 Fil , You have certainly made pitch correction verses EQ, reverb , compression as clear and understandable as possible. If people can't understand the difference, now they may simply not want to ! You have worked so hard giving examples of pitch correction, each of which is crystal clear . I can understand why you may feel frustrated that some people still are not acknowledging it for what it is . Never give up ! That other guy in your video sure has a beautiful voice !

The attempt to sing terrible on purpose must have been a bit of 'Monty Python' channeling, luv it so very much! Thank you so much!

Personally, Fil, I very much enjoyed the original vocal before anything else was added. The second the "producers" added pitch correction, it sounded like a totally different voice (that may or may not be pitch perfect) that I didn't care for. This young man sounded great and I wish he had continued to sing and play more of the song! Breaking it down like this will hopefully help others to understand why pitch corrected vocals don't come even close to the natural voice. Nicely done, Fil!! Now I have to go watch some more songs from this young man!! Rock!

It’s so nice listening to someone who actually knows what he’s talking about, for a change. Thanks so much for this crystal clear presentation, but just remember that old saying “you can’t argue with stupid”!

If it were named correctly, "pitch destruction". At least when it's applied to very good singers.

Hi Fil, OMG… too funny! Sign him up… that kid sure has talent! And great hair… very clearly explained Thanks for being so determined to get this concept understood. You Are Awesome… Debbie☮️

"The kid's obviously got talent!" And a sense of humor!😁 And a lot of determination to try to explain this to people. Well done!

Well done, Fil. Exactly. Add all the reverb, EQ, and the rest, but it's the actual notes the singer hits that's most important. If the "singers" need pitch correction so the listener is not ripping off their ears, that is a problem.

I sure hope this helps your doubters understand pitch correction

>sigh< Well done, Fil. But I honestly don't know how many hearts and minds (ears?) you're going to win over. I'm increasingly convinced the whole "discussion" around pitch correction has reached the point where it resembles debates about religion or politics. There are those of us who find it an offense against art in the same category as, say, using Chat GBT to do your songwriting. And there are fierce defenders who see it as just another production tool. Lots of passion in both camps. It's my personal view that pitch correction is a major contributing factor in the continuing "blandification" of popular music. But I'm just a grumpy old man who grew up in a time and place where our relationship to music, and the artists who created it, was far different, far more organic and personal than today's maainstream marketplace will accept. Metaphor: We ate at restaurants; today's listeners choose the drive thru window.

Yes, this really helps. You’re a great teacher as well as all that other talent and charm

On a related topic, Rick Beato does a nice job explaining how correcting rhythm/timing ruins the organic feel of good music, and makes it sound robotic.

Such a clear, creative explanation and demonstration of the difference between that list of effects and pitch correction. Many, many thanks!

It's great to SHOW in order to explain. You've SHOWN us how Pitch Correction is different from reverb and the other effects. Thanks

It takes computing power to track the voice, sample the voice then tune it, the spit it back out. People need to come clean about electronically tuning their vocal lines. Thanks for covering this. There ARE great singers out there who nail lines due to great breath support, having a great ear, studio personnel, training...Fabulous job with your analysis and content

Some of my best teachers were the ones who used humour to get their point across. For anyone who was still a little confused about the difference between pitch correction and other effects, this video should definitely make it clear. Very well done!! ❤️🇨🇦

I’ve been a professional maintenance engineer since 1976 and I agree that you are 100% spot on! Wonderful demonstration.

As an absolute novice with no experience of electronic sound wizardry your explanation of pitch correction made sense to me very well. Thank you for posting this video.

Thank you my dear Fil for helping us understand. You made it perfectly clear. In my way of thinking, this whole business of pitch correction and auto tune, is a matter of honesty and integrity toward the vocals. Do we want to hear the real voice, or a fake one?

Fil that was a great video totally agree pitch correction is not just another effect your friend in the video has got a set of vocal chords ❤

Excellent, very clear explanation, with a bit of humor.

Fantastic! My favorite videos are the ones where Fil creatively (and patiently) explains concepts, like this video and the one about the singer who sang a few measures of a well-known song in one take just before lunch (he looked a twin to the fellow in this video). The two producers in this one sound quite familiar, I think they may be a voice I've heard before. :-) Anyway, If people still don't understand his point, they are new to the concepts and need to be directed to Fil's auto-tune/pitch-correction video collection for more instruction, they just disagree, or it's possible they may be trying to frustrate Fil's efforts.

The first thing I want to say Fil, is that as a bassist and also a vocalist, I have to commend you on your example singing. It is very hard to not sing something right. In fact it is much harder than singing it correctly. You did a great job with the out of key singing. And everything you said about the effects is absolutely 100% correct. You can add every effect in the world but if the source material is out of key it's going to sound like, out of key with effects. I had to laugh when you mentioned How some people thought that it was because of compression. Being a bassist, I am familiar with how compression works. It does not change the pitch of anything. As far as the validity of pitch correction. Whether you like it or not, if it is there people are going to use it. Even back in the days of analog where everything was on tape producers and engineers knew how to vary the speed of the tape in order to correct the pitch somewhat. Granted it was not as refined as it is nowadays with digital, But it has been around for a very long time. In fact I would say many professional performers who go into the studio don't even realize the amount of pitch correction that might be used on them by producers and engineers. All those performers would worry about is when they listen back to the recording that it sounds good and it pleases them. So far your series of videos on pitch correction are among the finest I have seen. Very well done Fil.

I just want to tell you in my humble opinion that you are the best reaction person!!, your sincere humbleness and love for music is unmatched and undeniable!!, Many people let their ego get in the way,and refuse to recognize crazy prodigal talent!! I was one of them!!!, I know I'm never going to be the best guitarist in the 🌎! I'm finally great with that notion!! Now I can truly appreciate genius talent!! These people aren't trying to be the best, they are giving you " their " best!! Thanks to you,I see that now!! Thank you so much Fil!!

Thanks Fil. I am a brass musician and guitar player and I do understand what pitch correction - correcting intonation - is. Your explanation is rigorous and valid and extends the envelope of understanding to include some people who don't understand that pitch correction is fraudulent misrepresentation of live musical expression.

I'm a 71 year old that has trouble understanding electronic technology, but I understood your explanation perfectly.

Thanks Fil for that clear cut explanation. I’m musically challenged, but even I understood what you are teaching. That guy in vid might have a career in music!! Rock

'DIstinction without a difference' --- This video offers a straightforward audio demo explaining and disproving this view, of notably those familiar with use of effects and alteration. (Liked Fil-toon merger approach)

Good heavens, I'm simply a music listener and I understood this concept before you posted this video. Not too hard to figure out. By the way, loved your original vocal with all the effects!!😀

Some folks like drive up fast food. Some folks like organic homemade homecooked home grown....both dislike the other's preference... I am just thankful that we are all trying to make a piece of art that moves us onward.

Fun way to make the point super clear!

The kid really does have talent! I think most would understand this tutorial. Thanks Fil.

I misunderstood at first (my mistake); I thought you were saying this might be your last video, period. Whew. Thank you, Fil, as always, for making technically specific concepts explicable to laypersons. You are the best.

Great demonstration of the point - interesting to hear what those different effects do vs changing the vocal with pitch correction. Thanks, Fil!

Great work, Fil!! Thank you!

Pitch correction is dishonest, is a cheat, and should not be allowed in music without clear declaration. Pitch correcting is not the same as other effects, anybody who doesnt understand that...are probably beyond help.

Well done Fil! I hope this finally dispels any confusion in a fun, lighthearted way. I actually laughed out loud with the flanger effect!

Thank you Fil. His education on this subject has resulted in me being really aware of what's going on in a track. I can immediately hear pitch correction now. I'm an educated consumer. I am determined to seek honest artists now.

Very informative. I’m not a musician, but I was surprised to hear that a lot of commenters think pitch correction is like adding superficial stuff like reverb, equalizing, etc. If you add, say, reverb to a tune played on an out-of-tune guitar it may muddy the waters but obviously it can’t fix the guitar being out-of-tune. You have to tune the guitar to do that.

Yep, I think that was very clear! If people don't see the difference now they're not paying attention

Thanks for this. This is a really interesting idea regarding AFFECTing vocals.

Thanks for this interesting and very enjoyable video. I think you're right about the vocalist. Britain's got talent!

Yes! Thank you. Most helpful.

Thanx Fil, despite my misgivings, I think that helped us all appreciate something a little more-you some how seem to do that a lot ;-)

We all are on your side…never doubted you at all FIL!!! Rock on!!!

I understand and accept that all kinds of stuff are done in the studio. It is when they start doing it to a LIVE performance that upsets me.

Every week… I learn more & more from you, Fil. If “they” really insist on using pitch correction for EVERYTHING new… Be my guest. But keep your hands off the music from my past!

Thanks Fil. That was great. Well presented as always, laid down clearly, great demonstration 🤘💕Hopefully you don’t have to do it again 😜 PS. I think that song should be written for the next Britain’s Got Talent winner haha. Thanks again for Melbourne 😘

I can see this as a Filtune. Hilarious and educational. This kid definitely has talent!!

Informative, fun, and funny. Good work to you and ‘the team’. However, I wonder about folks who say those other effects are the same as PC. I use those effects on my guitar, but none of them put me ‘in tune’ when I’m sharp or flat - as, admittedly, I too often am.

Hey Fil, I don't know who that guy was but you really do need to sign him up, he's a star in the making....

Interesting, but I think your point in several previous videos was far more compelling: that pitch correction destroys the freedom and expressiveness that are the soul of music. 👍

This was a great vid Fil. Made me laugh. Good job Brah!

Oh Fil, the relief! The first time I heard the vocal, my brain immediately went "Uh-oh, that sounds like it's off-pitch..." and I felt like a real meanie for basically accusing you of singing out of tune! I'm glad to find out you were doing it deliberately to make a point... which actually makes you a really GOOD singer, because, if you CAN sing in tune, it's actually REALLY DIFFICULT to deliberately sing off-key.

You made my day! Love the way you combined the clear and useful explanation with your great sense of humour. Love it. Please do some more roleplaying 😉

I really enjoyed this demonstration. Thank you, Fil❤

Thanks Fil. You cleared up the effects and PT and AT.

You convinced me about a hundred videos ago, but I support your never ending enthusiasm to bring this to the masses. keep on trucking fil. more power to your elbow.

Fantastic explanation Fil, thank you :)

I jumped back and forth between the tuned and un-tuned versions in this video to confirm my uncanny-valley reaction to the tuned version. I already knew it, but there's something about tuned vocals that makes no emotional impression on me. Artists I have loved over the years sound oddly unaffecting on newer recordings, and I don't have to listen very hard to hear the presence of tuning. For a while I didn't realize how pervasive it was and only remarked on how little the newer music moved me. Then I started looking at why and realized it. Contemporary music production techniques contribute but tuning pushes it over the cliff. Thank you for what you're doing, it is important.

Nice job on explaining the process. It’s hard to sing in a different key than what is being played, but you did it and showed how much you can be done with pitch correction. Jolly good job!

I understood the pitch correction stuff and about effects, however this was so well worth Watchung! 😅😅 thank you as always Fil !

I think you made it very clear. Thank you for this video. We can help friends understand with this video.

How the hell can anyone not understand that ? 🤦

Another suggestion. The effects are like singing in a different room. The pitch correction actually shifts the center frequency of the note. Makes a note slightly sharp or flat, like stretching or loosening a guitar string or a vocal chord.

Nice to see your ‘toon character helping with the production values.

Before I found your channel, and learned about PC, auto tune, and EQ, I always said that "such and such song" sounds "so overproduced". I didn't know *why* I said that, but now I do.

I found this series very enlightening. I mean I knew autotune was out of control but had no idea how many artists I would not have thought used it actually do.

It would have been good if you put the before and after through your pitch analysis software. Great video as usual. Rock!

"If you don't know the words, just sing, 'yeah, yeah, yeah.'"

I, too, am a music novice, but understood your definition of pitch correction about 30 +/- videos ago on the topic. I’m just not understanding why someone wouldn’t understand the difference. To me it’s as clear as day how the sound of the voice changes to a robot like voice. It sound “tinny “ to me. However this was a great try to explain/show once again the difference. You had me laughing out loud again with you comment about how “this kid has talent “! He certainly does. He’s also extremely patient! 🥰

I dont think this will be your Last video on this subject

Thank you, Fil! I thought that was very helpful. Pitch correction was nothing like those effects. It changed the voice; the effects didn't.

Very informative and instructive! Thank you!

Another way to think of this - you can apply pitch correction to instruments. So, an out of tune guitar can be brought into into tune. No amount of effects like reverb, etc. will make the guitar sound "right" until it is in tune.

Thank Gawd I grew up in the 60's and 70's when bands could go into the studio and play live and get a great take in one or two goes. It might not have been perfect but it was perfect inperfection

Decided to post a solo comment as I saw folks claiming they only use autotune for a few nips/tucks, and therefore that use of autotune is acceptable. The crippling and corrosive problem is the *entire* post 1990s culture of songwriting and song production, which of course frequently features the same team of writers/producers across the spectrum in spite of the performer, splatters autotune and other strong-arm production techniques across everything for reasons. The performer is there to market the product, which is the produced song and packaged style, and is not there as a true exemplar of musical ability and innovative talent. This Max Martin use of autotune was never a delicately applied “nip” to one or two pesky problems in the vocals of otherwise genuinely talented and hard-working artist; rather, it was and is employed as a way to jam a square voice into the round hole of the pre-existing song model with maximal output and minimal input in terms of time, crafting and shaping, and artistic development. The quality of the vocals no longer matter - a fact that has been painfully apparent in some of the “live” performances w/out digital bandaids. This model has been insanely destructive for the artistry of popular music. Pop songs are (since mid 90s) committee-written, and they deploy the same strong-arm production methods like the ubiquitous autotune to force all output into one team’s version of “successful” pop Products. There is no genuine artistry, which needs drops of chaos (talent + space to innovate) to inspire unique interpolations, and no cut-outs for the kind of individuality that entails, for example, a slight flatting on a sustained note in a melancholy ballad (see our creator’s wonderful video on McCartney’s vocals in “Yesterday” without autotune). Of course autotune erases any such individualizations, and it has become the norm as minor patches are not the point. This model is not limited to the Max Martin model but his is easily one of the most dominant manifestations of this approach and is certainly the most successful - see his writing starting with Britney and Boy Bands to Avril to P!NK to Katey to Taylor etc etc etc - the effect has been massive. Now the artist is credited loosely as a songwriter but the hit songs are products pushed by strings of performers, and autotune has been one of the ways this sledgehammer approach has been enabled.

LOL! Love to see vendor guy and the bassist trying to help the kid who obviously has talent!

Love your channel, love to share in the joy of music with others!