Pitch Correcting for VOX

[Aceboympk]

I was wondering if there is something I can use to help correct the pitch of my voice. I'm picking up a book to teach myself to sing properly, but I wanted to know if there was something I could use electronically.

I saw a Focusrite Voicemaster and that looked like it would work. Any thoughts on it or something similar from a different manufacturer.

My chain:
Shure LD (KSM44/27) => Presonus Firepod => Cubase LE

Thanks,
Mark

 

[scrubs]

I was wondering if there is something I can use to help correct the pitch of my voice. I'm picking up a book to teach myself to sing properly, but I wanted to know if there was something I could use electronically.

I saw a Focusrite Voicemaster and that looked like it would work. Any thoughts on it or something similar from a different manufacturer.

My chain:
Shure LD (KSM44/27) => Presonus Firepod => Cubase LE

Thanks,
Mark

From my understanding, Antares Auto-Tune is sort of the accepted standard in pitch correction software/plugins. I, however, would greatly advise against using such software, as it is easily abused to horrible sonic results. You are better off just learning to sing on pitch. I don't know if books will do it or not. You might benefit from voice lessons. Learning proper breathing technique is just as important as learning to sing the right notes

The problem with Auto-Tune is that people drop a lot of money on the program and have no idea how to use it. They think it will turn them into The Three Tenors, but it more often turns them into Alvin and the Chipmunks. Pitch correction is a tool used by professional audio engineers to tweak great vocal takes that may suffer from a few slightly-off notes. It is not useful for a vocalist who has little or no concept of pitch (i.e.- the more you have to use it, the more noticeable it becomes). This is not a personal attack, as I have no idea what you sound like. The point is, to take a horrible vocal take and make it listenable requires an engineering expertise that few posess. Software won't solve the problem.

Just my $0.02

 

[reshp1]

I second the above. Auto tune in the right hands can be a god send for salvaging a couple stray notes in an otherwise perfect take, but it's not a cure all (although I do wonder how they get Ashlee Simpson in key on her records ).
My girlfriend gives voice lessons, you wouldn't believe how much technique there is in sing, and how much it's not just an intuitive skill we all possess. I think the book is a good place to start, but even a few lessons from someone who knows what their doing will help you a ton.

 

[Aceboympk]

I agree completely, but I thought that a tool like the Voice Master could improve what I'm doing too.

I know I have to get some voice lessons, but its kind of like finding someone to cut hair. Everyone has their own style, and they have a style they're looking for.

I don't know how much a voice coach could do to improve my voice, and there's only one way to find out. But, how to find a good voice coach?

As always: Quality, Cost, Time. Pick any two.

Regards,
Mark

 

[scrubs]

I agree completely, but I thought that a tool like the Voice Master could improve what I'm doing too.

I know I have to get some voice lessons, but its kind of like finding someone to cut hair. Everyone has their own style, and they have a style they're looking for.

I don't know how much a voice coach could do to improve my voice, and there's only one way to find out. But, how to find a good voice coach?

As always: Quality, Cost, Time. Pick any two.

Regards,
Mark

Mark,

Maybe I'm missing some thing. If this is the voicemaster you are referring to, I can't see where it says anything about pitch correction. This is a microphone preamp that has a dial to add a "tube-like sound" to your vocal (even-order harmonics). This is not the same as harmonies. There is no pitch correction.

There are products that will add harmonies to your vocal, like this one, but they still require you to sing on pitch for best results.