Daft Punk Think Auto-Tune Ruins Music

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Gossip, Electronic, Pop, New Releases,

Daft Punk thinks Auto-Tune is ruining pop music. Though the duo - Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter - like experimenting with the vocal-tweaking software in a "fun" way, they think it is over-relied on to make a singer's voice sound perfect.

"Pop music is into the uncanny valley. For example, take Auto-Tune. Auto-Tune as an effect is very fun. We put it in the same category as the wah-wah pedal. It's pleasing to the ear and creates those funky artefacts, a bit like the clavinet in Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition.' The other use of Auto-Tune is the invisible one, where you put the voices of the performers in and you set the thresholds so you can't hear the Auto-Tune is there. It makes the voice 'perfect.' If you're using it to solve small imperfections, you're creating something that isn't human. Would you Auto-Tune Roger Daltrey on 'Tommy'? Or Simon & Garfunkel? It stops being a fun effect and becomes like a clone from a terrifying sci-fi movie," Thomas said.

Despite their success as dance music pioneers, the "Get Lucky" duo admit they have always secretly wanted to be like The Strokes, whose frontman Julian Casablancas is one of their collaborators on new album Random Access Memories.

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Kesha: I Can Sing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop,

Kesha insists she can sing without auto-tune. The "Tik Tok" hitmaker was determined to prove her critics wrong on her second album Warrior and has banished all technological tricks and added more rock guitars in order to show off her vocals.

"I got really sick of people saying that I couldn't sing, because I can do very few things confidently in my life, and one of them is that I can sing. I remember thinking [with Animal], 'Oh, it's just processed. People will learn that I can sing later.' But after reading some reviews that were like, 'She can't sing,' I finally was like, 'F**k that.'"

The controversial starlet - born Kesha Rose Sebert - is back in the charts after taking a short sabbatical at the end of 2011 because she felt she needed time to relax and to embark on a "spiritual journey." However, she admitted she had to ask her record label to "back off" when they started pressuring her to make new music.

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Video: Oscars Auto-Tune Movie Mash-Up

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Awards, Videos, Remixes,

A funny mash-up of Auto-Tuned dialogue has become one of the most talked-about moments of the 83rd Academy Awards, and our new favorite movie-inspired music video. Watch the whole thing above, and discover gems from your favorite movies: “I’m a Ball of Light” (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I), “We’re Still Here” (Toy Story 3), “Fishing for Facebook” (The Social Network) and “He Doesn’t Own a Shirt” (Twilight).

Read More | Just Jared

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Christina Aguilera: Autotune is Okay with Me

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Videos, Pop,

I’m sure at one point, Cher never imagined she would ever use something like Auto-Tune on her vocals - but then she scored a huge hit with 1998’s “Believe.” So should we be so shocked to hear that her Burlesque co-star, Christina Aguilera, is open to implementing the technology as well?

Although Christina clearly has no problem performing vocal gymnastics when she sings, the Grammy winner admits she’s not a total purist anymore.

In this interview with Sirius FM Satellite Radio, Aguilera - who used the tool on her new album for songs like “Elastic Love” -  says she “doesn’t get annoyed with the Auto-Tune thing, but only if it’s used in a creative way.”

So what do you think about Auto-Tune? Is there really a “creative way” to use it?

Read More | Perez Hilton

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VIDEO: Kanye West Has Rihanna Feeling Paranoid

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music Videos, Hip-Hop & Rap,

In this video for “Paranoid,” Rihanna is assaulted in her dreams by visions of wolves and the overuse of Auto-Tune.

But maybe Kanye West is right. Maybe she does “worry ‘bout the wrong things.” I mean - could that corset getup really be comfortable to sleep in?

Read More | MTV

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Another Kanye West Leak: “Any Way” from 808s and Heartbreak

Posted by Seth Combs Categories: Leaks, Hip-Hop & Rap, R&B / Soul, Free Music Downloads,

Another leak of another great song from Kanye West’s upcoming album 808s and Heartbreak, this time from the one and only Broke Mogul. Like “Love Lockdown” and “Heartless,” the latest track “Any Way” is heavy on Auto-Tune technology. Unlike the previous songs, this one’s got a pumping beat. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for this album to hit the streets. Download “Any Way” and give us your thoughts.

Read More | Broke Mogul

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Kanye West Goes Darker with Heartless

Posted by Seth Combs Categories: Leaks, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, Free Music Downloads,

I’m not going to say it’s hard to be Kanye West, but when you listen to the two released tracks from his upcoming album 808s & Heartbreak, you feel something.  From the sound of these tracks, I’m going to say this album is going to be unlike any other in his collection. The release of this album is already unique with a listening party involving Italian designer Vanessa Beecroft, an LA gallery, and 40 naked women (sorry, no photos.)

The first single, “Love Lockdown,” has Kanye using Auto-Tune technology, diving deep into his heart about the hardships of love. Now, he comes out with “Heartless,” which delves into even deeper, darker places. With a brooding beat and lyrics like, “somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul, to a woman so heartless”, it’s like an Auto-Tune freight train of pain, sorrow and heartache that will run you over. Feel it for yourself by downloading the track.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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