In short
Autotune pulls your voice to the nearest notes of the key in real time. Two settings matter most: the song’s key and the retune speed. Set very fast, you get the well-known robot effect; set slowly, it sounds like natural correction.
What is autotune?
Auto-Tune is actually a plugin by Antares. These days almost any automatic pitch correction is called that. The plugin detects which note you’re singing and moves it to the nearest note allowed in the chosen key.
The right key
If the key is wrong, autotune pulls your voice to the wrong notes and it sounds off. You can find your beat’s key for free in the Key-Scout, or ask the producer.
Retune speed and humanize
- Very fast: a hard effect with jumps between notes, typical for trap and hyperpop.
- Medium: audible but more musical, good for pop.
- Slow: subtle correction, the voice stays natural.
- Humanize: lets long notes move more naturally, even with a fast retune speed.
Autotune or Melodyne?
Autotune works automatically and in real time, ideal for the effect and for performing. Melodyne edits every note individually after recording, ideal for corrections nobody should hear. Often both are combined.
Free alternatives
- MAutoPitch by MeldaProduction, free for Windows and Mac.
- GSnap, a simple free plugin.
- Pitch Correction is built into Logic Pro.
Record with or without autotune?
For the trap sound it helps to hear autotune on your headphones while recording. But record the voice dry and note down key and retune speed. Then the effect can be rebuilt exactly and refined in the mix. More recording tips in Recording vocals at home.
Common mistakes
- Wrong key: sounds off even though autotune is on.
- A very sloppy take: autotune jumps back and forth between wrong notes.
- Effect recorded in: can’t be changed later.
- Same strength everywhere: adlibs and backings often need different settings than the lead vocal.