So, if you have heard or seen that I am opposed to pitch correction and quantization, you may have some questions. First and foremost: Why, especially if you could use it? That’s a great question, so let’s address it.
Pitch correction (changing the pitch of a voice or instrument to the note that the singer was trying to hit) is not inherently bad. When used subtly, you may not really notice it. But when used too aggressively, it can sound fake, robotic, and soulless. But here’s the thing – humans are not 100% accurate when singing. When you correct that completely, it begins too sound artificial, in my opinion.
So, would I use pitch correction at all? I might, depending on the situation. But let’s get real for a second. Before the 90’s, there was no pitch correction or “Auto-tune.” Some singers were like Brad Delp, the highly regarded late singer for Boston. Those singers can bang out a performance with technical skill and precision. Then you have Joe Strummer from The Clash. Joe was by no means a “technical” or “accurate” singer. He was often off pitch. But he also had emotion and a connection with the audience that more accomplished singers may not develop. Pitch correct the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” and the song won’t hit the same. I can guarantee it.
The same applies to quantization. Quantization is taking a drum hit (usually snare and kick drums) and line them up exactly on time. Doing this produces a sterile, mechanical beat. A trick that producers use would be to “humanize” the drums by moving the beats ever so slightly off of the mark. That may be great for MIDI (a computer standard for dealing with music) drums, but I usually play them like a real drummer (because I am one), and have my own swing and sense of timing that generally works, no quantization needed. If I am too far out of time, I will perform retakes until I get it right. Since I am not Neil Peart, I personally don’t sound like a drum machine, and that makes the music breathe and flow like human-made art.
So, pitch correction and quantization… do I use them? extremely sparingly, if at all. Is it wrong to use it? No. It’s just not my thing. I started playing and recording before it was a thing, and I just prefer it that way.
And, let’s be honest about something – pitch correction is most effective when you have a talented singer to start with. I will freely admit that I am not one. I only sing out of necessity, to be frank about it. And quantization works best when the drummer (or whoever) is close to the beat to start with.
ANyway, I hope that this clears up some stuff!