Before the late 1990s, an average music listener could typically judge a good singer from a bad singer in a matter of minutes. A good singer could hit those far reaching high notes and remain in tune throughout the entire course of the song. A good singer was regarded as an extremely talented and/or well trained vocalist. In contrast, a bad singer would have a cracking or straining voice or remain hopelessly out of tune or off pitch throughout a song.
Now the lines are blurred.
Why?
It all comes down to a single technological invention known commonly as Auto-Tune. Developed in 1996 by Andy Hildebrand, Auto-Tune was once a "trade secret" that producers would utilize in extreme circumstances to correct a few notes here and there, thereby saving time and money by not having to redo studio sessions.
Now, singers and producers virtually abuse Auto-Tune, using it daily to ensure that vocals remain on perfect pitch, rhythm and tone throughout the course of the song. Even more outrageous is the use of Auto-Tune by non-vocalists (i.e. Kim's Zolziak's performance of Tardy for the Party or Kesha's electro-pop remixes).
Can anyone now become a singer? Does vocal talent no longer come in to play? How do we define real musical talent from automated, technically-enhanced "talent?" Is the music industry losing its credibility?
Check out Time's revealing 2009 article Auto-Tune: Why Pop Music Sounds Perfect and let me know what you think!
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