Coming hot on the heels of the releases of The Strokes’ new album “Reality Awaits” and Charli XCX’s album “Music, Fashion, Film,” auto-tune has been the subject of much discourse online. 

While these albums use auto-tune, so does just about every modern pop artist nowadays.

Auto-tune is software used to correct the pitch of a voice in a studio recording setting. However, sometimes it can be used to completely change the way that the singer sounds.

Erin Johnson, a junior in music, said, “Almost any music on the radio or made somewhat recently uses auto-tune, so pretty frequently.” 

Some are exposed to it through the radio, while others listen to it because they like it.

John Calsbeek, a senior in history, said, “Often the music I listen to has some form of auto tune/pitch correction that is meant to sharpen the sounds of an artist, and not as a noticeable stylistic choice. Often that decision is a conscious choice due to my enjoyment of music revolving around the vocal styling of any given song.” 

Sometimes, people don’t consider that the music they’re listening to has been run through with auto-tune.

Chayse Roecker, a senior in journalism, said, “I don’t know how often I listen to music with auto-tune, but it is probably more often than I realize.”

One of the bigger trends is musicians using auto-tune to fully change how they sound in select songs. 

Johnson said, “I’m not a huge fan of it; I like live or acoustic versions of many songs better because they have less auto-tune, usually. However, I really like auto-tune in certain songs like pop rock and rap when used for a more distorted sound.”

People have the same sentiment regarding this trend in music.

Calsbeek said, “I find the noticeable use of auto-tune to be a bit concerning, as the more robotic tones coming from heavy use of vocal distortion tend to lessen my connection or satisfaction with the vocal performance. However, even that statement has necessary nuance for my own listening habits. The line I tend to draw is when the vocals sound far too robotic in pitch.”  

Roecker also agrees, saying, “I think auto-tune is a good tool to have, but it’s getting to a point where auto-tune is doing more work than the artist.” 

They are all also in agreement with artists that use auto-tune.

Johnson said, “Auto-tune doesn’t really influence how I view different artists, but if someone does the ‘Genius’ interview and nails the vocals, I gain some serious respect for them.” 

Others carry this same sentiment.

Roecker said, “I don’t typically judge artists on their use of auto-tune unless you can very clearly hear the auto-tune in the music.” 

Calsbeek said, “I don’t tend to hold negative viewpoints of an artist simply because they utilize a musical tool in a fashion that is notable. Typically I understand my own biases against the use of auto-tune and recognize they don’t fit my own musical tastes.” 

Everyone is also in agreement that they would rather hear raw vocals over auto-tune.

Johnson said, “I’d much rather hear natural vocals but understand why most singers use auto-tune.”

All agree with this same idea. 

Calsbeek said, “I find that albums I connect with the most and have the longest staying power in my rotation use more natural vocals.”

Lastly, Roecker said, “I would rather listen to music with no auto-tune.”

So this makes you wonder, what leads to artists using auto-tune?

Sometimes it can be due to the genre that they’re in; if it is rap or EDM, they may be more likely to use these effects. 

According to Illustrate Magazine, it is still an ongoing debate whether or not using auto-tune is seen more as a new tool to expand your music, or if it is just a crutch.