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How to Auto-Tune a Song

Auto-Tune is a digital processor that corrects the pitch of musical performances. Similar to the vocoder, which requires manual pitch correction, Auto-Tune handles the process automatically. Although the effect is most often applied to vocal tracks to create perfect-sounding performances, it can be applied to any audio signal. Some digital audio workstations (DAWs) feature built-in Auto-Tune tools, but several free virtual studio instrument (VST) Auto-Tune plug-ins are available for download online.

Things You'll Need

  • Auto-Tune VST plug-in
  • Digital audio workstation
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Instructions

  1. KeroVee 1.51

    • 1

      Click on an empty slot in the effects rack for the track containing the audio. Select "KeroVee" from the drop-down menu to insert the KeroVee 1.51 VST plug-in.

    • 2

      Double-click the slot containing the KeroVee plug-in to open the control panel.

    • 3

      Adjust the "Scale Setting" to set the pitch-correction scale to that of the song to which the effect is being applied.

    • 4

      Adjust the tone knobs to create more natural- or unnatural-sounding pitch correction.

    • 5

      Press "Play" on the transport bar to listen to the Auto-Tune effect. Return to the KeroVee control panel to make further adjustments if necessary.

    GSnap

    • 6

      Click on an empty slot in the effects rack for the track containing the audio. Select "GSnap" from the drop-down menu to insert the GSnap VST plug-in.

    • 7

      Double-click the effects rack slot containing the GSnap plug-in to open the control panel.

    • 8

      Set the "Min Freq" knob at 300 Hz, and set the "Max Freq" knob at 1000 Hz. Select the frequency range at which the effect will be applied.

    • 9

      Click "Fixed Mode" to open the "Select Key and Scale" menu. Select the scale to that of the song to which the effect is being applied and click "OK."

    • 10

      Press "Play" on the transport bar to listen to the Auto-Tuned audio.

    4 Band Shifter

    • 11

      Click on an empty slot in the effects rack for the track containing the audio. Select "4 Band Shifter" from the drop-down menu to insert the 4 Band Shifter VST plug-in.

    • 12

      Double-click the effects rack slot containing the 4 Band Shifter plug-in to open the control panel.

    • 13

      Click the "Discrete" button to put the pitch shifter in discrete mode. In this mode, pitch correction will occur in whole-semitone intervals.

    • 14

      Adjust the band values to set the frequencies at which the effect will be applied.

    • 15

      Press "Play" on the transport bar to listen to the Auto-Tuned audio.

Recording Music

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