List one of the vocal technology topics and describe how it has changed and/or affected popular music.
1. Time Based Effects Processing
2. Autotune or Melodyne
3. Talkbox or Vocoder
4. Vocal Sampling
5. Elastic Audio and Flex
One vocal technology topic that has greatly changed and affected popular music is Autotune or Melodyne. Autotune and Melodyne are both software plugins used for pitch correction and manipulation of vocal recordings.
Autotune, which was developed in the late 1990s, allows producers and engineers to correct the pitch of vocals, making them sound more in tune. It works by analyzing the incoming vocal signal and automatically adjusting the pitch to the nearest desired note, according to a pre-set scale. This technology quickly gained popularity in the music industry, as it enabled singers to achieve perfect pitch even if they had minor pitch errors during the recording process.
Melodyne, on the other hand, takes pitch correction to a more advanced level. It allows for detailed audio editing, such as individual note manipulation within a recording. With Melodyne, producers and engineers have the ability to correct not only pitch errors but also timing and phrasing issues in vocals. This level of precision has revolutionized the way vocals are produced, as it provides more control over the final outcome of a vocal performance.
The impact of Autotune and Melodyne on popular music has been significant. Some might argue that the use of these technologies has led to a loss of authenticity in vocal performances, as singers can now rely on pitch correction to perfect their vocal recordings. However, it has also opened up new creative possibilities, allowing artists to experiment with different vocal styles and effects. Autotune, in particular, has become a popular effect in its own right, with artists intentionally exaggerating the "robotic" or "tuned" sound to create a distinct vocal aesthetic.
Overall, autotune and Melodyne have revolutionized vocal processing in popular music, offering both corrective and creative options for producers, engineers, and artists.