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(Photo by Michael Caulfield/Getty Images for AMA)The Era of Auto-Tune
When music historians look back at 2008, they might remember it for Auto-Tune, the robotic vocal effect that turns up on countless R&B and rap songs. Today, New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones discusses Auto-Tune and its abusers. Also: jazz guitarist Mary Halvorson, who has built a name in contemporary-music circles thanks to her association with Anthony Braxton and others, joins us to share her latest album, "Dragon's Head."
Auto-Tune Sweeps the Music Industry
Cher used Antares Auto-Tune in 1998 for her song "Believe," and few paid much attention. But lately, the robotic sounding vocal effect has become standard among rap and R&B acts from T-Pain to Kanye West and others. New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones and producer and mixer David Bendeth discuss Auto-Tune and its abusers.
Tell us what you think of Auto-Tune and other pitch-correction tools. Is it ever ethical to use it? Leave a comment.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Auto-Tune
"Auto-Tune corrects a singer’s pitch. It also distorts—a grand tradition in pop" by Sasha Frere-Jones
More about David Bendeth
Mary Halvorson Trio
At just 28, Mary Halvorson is a growing fixture on New York's downtown jazz and new-music scenes. She's played with saxophone legend Anthony Braxton, and in various groups with trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum. She joins us to perform live in the studio.
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Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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