Autotune
Autotune
Free Autotune Effect
Not Free Autotune Effects
AutoTune: The Best Pitch Correction & Vocal Chain Plugins
Pre-History
The Talkbox
Vocoder
Timeline of Auto-Tune: Key Songs & Milestones
1997
- Auto-Tune Released: Invented by Andy Hildebrand, Antares Audio Technologies introduces Auto-Tune, initially used for subtle pitch corrections in studio recordings.
1998
- Cher – “Believe”: Popularizes the distinct robotic vocal effect known as the “Cher effect,” making Auto-Tune a creative tool.
1999
- Jennifer Lopez – “If You Had My Love”: Subtle use by producer Rodney Jerkins, influencing later artists, notably T-Pain.
2000
- Eiffel 65 – “Too Much of Heaven”: First major use of Auto-Tune on rap vocals, signaling crossover into hip-hop.
2001–2003
- Studio Standardization: Auto-Tune becomes ubiquitous as a behind-the-scenes vocal correction tool across pop and rock genres.
2005
- T-Pain – “I’m Sprung”: Launches T-Pain’s career, making heavy Auto-Tune usage his signature, popularizing the effect in hip-hop and R&B.
2007
- Snoop Dogg – “Sexual Eruption”: Further mainstreaming Auto-Tune in hip-hop, demonstrating its versatility.
2008
- Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak: Artistic breakthrough showcasing Auto-Tune as an emotional and stylistic expression, significantly influencing subsequent hip-hop and pop music.
- Lil Wayne – “Lollipop” and Britney Spears – “Womanizer”: Exemplify widespread mainstream Auto-Tune saturation.
2009
- Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”: Critiques overuse, sparking public debate about authenticity.
- Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”: Hits #1, solidifying Auto-Tune’s pop dominance despite backlash.
2010
- Time Magazine: Lists Auto-Tune among the “50 Worst Inventions,” reflecting peak public skepticism.
“It’s a technology that can make bad singers sound good and really bad singers (like T-Pain) sound like robots. And it gives singers who sound like Kanye West or Cher the misplaced confidence that they too can croon. Thanks a lot, computers.” - TIME Magazine
The 50 Worst Inventions - TIME
- X Factor UK Scandal: Viewers criticize the use of Auto-Tune on contestants, raising authenticity concerns.
Early 2010s
- Drake – Take Care (2011): Embraces melodic Auto-Tuned vocals, reshaping hip-hop and R&B trends.
- T-Pain – “I Am T-Pain” App: Brings Auto-Tune into consumer hands, cementing cultural popularity.
2014
- T-Pain’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Performs without Auto-Tune, demonstrating genuine vocal ability and shifting public perception positively.
Mid/Late 2010s
- Future – “Mask Off” (2017) and Travis Scott – “Goosebumps” (2016): Symbolize the rise of Auto-Tune as essential in contemporary trap and hip-hop.
- Collaboration between hip-hop and indie artists (e.g., Kanye West and Bon Iver) further integrates Auto-Tune across genres.
2018
- Recognition by critics (e.g., Simon Reynolds in Pitchfork) that Auto-Tune is “entrenched” and widely accepted as an artistic tool.
How Auto-Tune Revolutionized the Sound of Popular Music
2020s
- Auto-Tune fully normalized in production across pop, hip-hop, EDM, K-pop, and beyond.
- Artists increasingly use Auto-Tune creatively and nostalgically, reaffirming its ongoing cultural significance.