Auto-Tune Scandal Unfolds on The X Factor

The seventh season of Britain’s The X Factor premiered as recently as August 21, and already it’s the most controversial the series has ever known. The flagship program for its parent network ITV, X Factor has been a reality TV mainstay in the UK - much in the same way that American Idol is a mainstay for the US.

That isn’t the only thing X Factor has in common with the popular US reality series. Like Idol, X Factor is a singing competition where one winner is crowned at the end of the season. Like Idol, X Factor is known for its harshest critic, Simon Cowell. But in light of recent events, American reality fans are hoping that’s all that X Factor has in common with Idol.

Singers on the newest season of X Factor have very clearly had their voices altered with Auto-Tune, an audio processor which corrects pitch and helps singers sound perfectly in tune. Auto-Tune may also be used to the opposite effect, making singers sound very much out of tune when it is applied incorrectly. Cher made the sound of Auto-Tune famous when she used on her “Believe” single. Other well-known singers to apply the technology include Janet Jackson, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Click to continue reading Auto-Tune Scandal Unfolds on The X Factor

Read More | Vote For the Worst