But in this case of auto tune for voices the vocalist can have all the right or merchandiseable qualities but doesn’t have true vocal talent, auto tune fixes it all. I don’t think it killed session musicians. It just gave producers more control over their merchandise.
It’s more important to have a wide octave range than to be on pitch.
Whitney Houston in her later years had great difficulty with pitch - no problem auto tune saved the day.
PS - I don’t think the drum machine actually killed the session musician. It may have given less talented bands
a helping hand or for artists like Trent Reznor - the Pet Shop Boys and someone like Brad Delp better access to the mainstream arts. In any event, drum machines and electronica had created a new sound. Synthesizers have broadened popular music the way that he electric guitar did.
Replies to: "Drum machines are usually known as the death of session musicians."
- What normal sounds like...in musical performances...1939 vs. 2024 - NedoftheHill - 9:53pm 3/30/25
(13) [View All]
- I remember watching that video sometime back. - wrdomerson - 9:31am 3/31/25
- Good post. Thank you. [NT] - Hensou - 7:36am 3/31/25
- Autotune and the death of session musicians have ruined music. [NT]
- LanceManion - 6:57am 3/31/25
- Drum machines are usually known as the death of session musicians. - jimbasil - 9:13am 3/31/25
- Yep. It's given us many, many manufactured "stars." [NT]
- jakers - 9:33am 3/31/25
- That clip is a brilliant example of how technology has injured the recording artist. - jimbasil - 11:16am 3/31/25
- I'm reminded of the Britney Spears situation, from soup to nuts. - jakers - 11:25am 3/31/25
- And to Clarkson who is roundly considered a good voice is doctored as well. - jimbasil - 11:50am 3/31/25
- Where the hell is McSweeney when we need him on this? [NT] - jakers - 2:58pm 3/31/25
- Wait, what??? I didn't know that at all. - jakers - 2:58pm 3/31/25
- I think it’s become industry standard. But yeah, she has a big voice but - jimbasil - 4:33pm 3/31/25
- And to Clarkson who is roundly considered a good voice is doctored as well. - jimbasil - 11:50am 3/31/25
- I'm reminded of the Britney Spears situation, from soup to nuts. - jakers - 11:25am 3/31/25
- That clip is a brilliant example of how technology has injured the recording artist. - jimbasil - 11:16am 3/31/25
- Yep. It's given us many, many manufactured "stars." [NT]
- jakers - 9:33am 3/31/25
- Drum machines are usually known as the death of session musicians. - jimbasil - 9:13am 3/31/25
- he makes an important distinction here. Vocals by talented artists rest not on a perfect note - jimbasil - 12:04am 3/31/25
- Generally agree, to the extent I understand. I'm not an expert. That just makes sense. [NT] - NedoftheHill - 12:19am 3/31/25