Pitch correction and Autotune are two widely used tools to help artists deliver better vocal performances, whether it is for tuning, creating effects, or pitch modulating, there is no doubt that almost every artist no matter genre uses either of these in some form. However, there can be confusion in differentiating both tools since to a degree they both do the same actions. Read along for a better understanding on these tools and how they compare and contrast.
First, it is important to understand what pitch correction and autotune are. Pitch correction is a process used in music production to automatically correct the pitch of a recorded vocal or instrumental performance. The goal of pitch correction is to make the performance sound more in tune and professional, by fixing notes that are out of tune or slightly off-pitch. Whereas Autotune is a brand name for a type of pitch correction software that is used in music production to correct or manipulate the pitch of a recorded vocal or instrumental performance. This sort of manipulation can be very exaggerated, which is where the "T-Pain sound" comes from. The software works by analyzing the pitch of each note in a recording and then adjusting the pitch to the nearest semitone in a specific scale. Now in terms of their comparisons and differences:
Similarities:
Both pitch correction and autotune work by analyzing the pitch of each note in a recording and adjusting the pitch to the nearest semitone in a specific scale.
Both can be used to correct out-of-tune notes and make a performance sound more in-tune.
Both can be performed using specialized software or hardware devices.
Differences:
Pitch correction is a general term used to describe the process of correcting the pitch of a recording, while autotune is a specific brand name for a type of pitch correction software.
Pitch correction is mainly used for correction purposes, to make a performance sound more in-tune, while autotune is often used for creative purposes, such as to produce a distinctive, artificial vocal effect.
The degree of correction can be adjusted in both pitch correction and autotune, but autotune is often associated with a more exaggerated effect, while pitch correction is used to produce a more natural-sounding correction.
In summary, while both pitch correction and autotune are used to correct or manipulate the pitch of a recording, they have different purposes and are associated with different degrees of correction and artistic effects.