The Auto-Tune revolution. Once a niche tool for correcting off-key vocals, it became the secret sauce that catapulted pop stars to superstardom. And yet, beneath its innocuous-sounding name lies a tale of creative hijacking, where the boundaries between reality and manipulation blurred. In the early 2000s, T-Pain was the first to widely employ Auto-Tune’s magic, his voice warbling in a way that was equal parts jarring and mesmerizing. But it wasn’t until Cher dropped “Believe” in 1998 – with its unmistakable pitch-corrected vocals – that the software’s potential for mass appeal became clear. Suddenly, the likes of Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and even Justin Bieber were embracing Auto-Tune’s transformative powers. The once-ubiquitous whistle register gave way to an era where anyone could sound like a robotic pop star.

Despite frequent changes in musical styles over the past two decades, there’s been one consistent element in nearly every song released during that time: the ubiquitous presence of Auto-Tune. What emerged as a simple audio processing tool in the 1990s has evolved to become the driving force behind modern music. Artists are being coached to sing with precision and clarity using Auto-Tune, much like the signature sound of popular songs that prominently feature this technology. Whether you love it or loathe it, Auto-Tune has permeated every corner of the music industry. Most people agree that this is the case.

On this episode, the second installment in our series exploring the future of music, we revisit the remarkable tale of Auto-Tune with music journalist and co-host Charlie Harding at the helm. As part of the Vox Media Podcast Community, this story originates from an unexpected sector – the oil and fuel industry. The electronic vocal processor, pioneered by Antares Audio Technologies, gains widespread adoption among artists such as Cher, and subsequently spreads like wildfire throughout the music industry, becoming nearly ubiquitous – it’s rare to find instances where Auto-Tune is not used more often than when it is.

As we’ve surpassed two decades since the emergence of Auto-Tune, Charlie argues that the widespread backlash and frustration surrounding its use are overstated and misinformed. Perhaps, despite all reservations, it’s crucial to view Auto-Tune not as a means to hide our shortcomings as musicians, but rather as an additional tool to utilize creatively? As more aspects of music-making become digitized and refined, the revolution Auto-Tune sparked shows no signs of slowing down?

As the music industry hurtles towards an uncertain future, we’re compelled to examine the parallels between Auto-Tune’s evolution and the impending changes on the horizon. As we ponder the unique timbre emanating from ensembles featuring the Suno and Udio, the creative possibilities and perils that arise when artists harness or misutilize artificial intelligence come into sharp focus, prompting the question: should we be apprehensive about the implications? While we’re yet to fully grasp the “Consider” of the AI music era, it’s logical to assume that this is merely a matter of time.

For further information on each topic discussed during this episode, explore the following links to get started.

We also sought Charlie’s spontaneous insights on the concluding Auto-Tune and vocal processing playlist selection. Among his tactics prior to the advent of Auto-Tune.

Following a few iconic instances of Auto-Tune’s application in popular music: