Autotune Plugin Really Works?
In 1997, Antares Audio Technologies unveiled their exclusive Auto-Tune programme. The goal was to instantly repair out-of-tune pitches for precisely tuned vocals or instruments. Nowadays, musicians frequently use the word "autotune" as a catch-all for excessively manipulated modern vocals. We'll look at some well-liked choices for a free Autotune plugin for beginners.
Engineers and manufacturers started experimenting with the technology as soon as it was introduced. The "0 retune speed" robotic effect was first heard in Cher's 1998 song "Believe." The Pitch Correction sounds unnatural at extremely fast retune speeds, yet it's a desired effect that has influenced an entire vocal production style and become a defining characteristic of contemporary genres like trap.
T-Pain further popularised the effect after Cher in the late 2000s, and other well-known musicians like Lil Wayne and Kanye West soon caught on. The autotune sound can be heard everywhere in contemporary rap music today. It is the primary affect used by artists, including Travis Scott, Future, Playboi Carti, to mould their vocals.
Free Autotune VST Plugins
It's wise to stick with Antares if you want the most genuine autotune sound. That said, it is a pricey plugin, especially if you're just getting started or want to play with a little with its sound. Fortunately, there are numerous good free alternatives available for real-time pitch correction.
1. Graillon 2 | Auburn Sounds
The most widely used free autotune plugin is Graillon. Although the 'freemium' Graillon 2 offers pitch shifting and correction—the two key components of autotune—the full, premium version undoubtedly has more functions.
Simply load the plugin and switch on the Enable Correction knob to get started. From there, you may utilise the Smooth option to adjust the retune speed (faster values result in a robotic voice; it regulates how quickly the pitch corrects itself). Additionally, you can lock autotune into a scale using the built-in keyboard for more precise pitch correction.
2. MAutoPitch | MeldaProduction
Another excellent free autotune plugin is MAutoPitch, which has features like depth, detune, and speed that are common to most pitch correction programmes.
Similar to a wet/dry knob, depth regulates how big of an impact the VST has on the sound. Detune raises or lowers the sound's pitch by cents to fine-tune the pitch. The speed knob, which again is the same as the retune speed on the Antares plugin, determines how quickly MAutoPitch reacts to out-of-tune notes.
3. Voloco | Resonant Cavity
One of the best free autotune plugins for artistic effects is Voloco by Resonant Cavity. Its presets include 8-bit and Daft Punk-inspired vocals in addition to many more that will give your productions a distinctive and synthetic tone.
Voloco enhances the signal in many ways than merely pitch correction, in contrast to some of the other freebies on the list. For instance, the Daft Punk and 8-bit modes give your vocals gate-like effects and LFO volume modulation. Voloco is more of a creative tool than a good pitch corrector because it was created expressly for the outrageous Cher/T-Pain sound.
Other Voloco features include a lock to a major/minor scale and a wet/dry control to alter the strength of the affected signal.
4. GSnap | GVST GSnap was the first free autotune plugin. In addition to the typical autotune-like effects, this plugin offers the uncommon ability to automatically adjust pitch to any MIDI signal that is fed to it. If you provide GSnap a MIDI synth line, it might, for example, automatically "tune" your vocals to a synth.
In place of other functions like formant adjustment, GSnap includes vibrato settings. It's a great, cost-free autotune plugin that is easy to use and performs as promised. Ideal autotune effects have a traditional real-time pitch adjustment ratio.
5. KeroVee | g200kg
In 2010, Japanese developers g200kg released KeroVee. The precise pitch adjustment offered by KeroVee, which is far more comprehensive than most free autotune plugins, more than makes up for the lack of robotic effects. Similarly to GSnap, KeroVee allows you to route MIDI notes for the plugin to use as a pitch reference.
A special feature of KeroVee is the "Nuance" option, which lets you maintain or ignore minute pitch variations like the singer's natural vibrato. Naturally, you also have a "TuneSpeed" knob that determines how quickly the plugin will adjust the incoming signal.
KeroVee is an excellent place to start if you're looking for a free autotune plugin designed for fine-tuning vocals rather than producing a robotic and obvious impression.
6. TrapTune Free Edition | UnitedPlugins
A cutting-edge vocal production tool by UnitedPlugins, TrapTune features real-time pitch correction, reverb, delay, doubling, and distortion. It's a one-stop shop for trap vocals, which shot to fame a few years ago and have since evolved into the preferred sound for many musicians in the genre. After downloading the full version, the free edition instantly unlocks (once the 15-day trial expires). It's less controllable than the premium version, but it's still a strong and enjoyable tool for vocals.
7. x42 Auto Tune A simple real-time pitch corrector is x42 Auto Tune. It works best for small modifications as opposed to heavily robotic effects because it is intended to correct vocals that are only slightly out of tune. However, keep in mind that it's a free pitch correction tool, and it doesn't get any better than free! Some users might think that to be limited in scope, which it is objectively.
8. Autotalent | Tom Baran
Despite its snarky moniker, Autotalent is a respectable real-time pitch corrector. The original method and Linux LADSPA plugin are thanks to Tom Baran. This link will take you to the plugin's VST/AU port, allowing Windows and Mac users to utilise it.
9. Logic Pitch Correction | Apple
The Pitch Correction plugin for Logic Pro X is last but not least. Although it is technically free because it is a stock Logic plugin, users will still need Logic to utilise it because it is only compatible with Macs. Nevertheless, this free pitch corrector is just as effective as expensive programmes.
The bottom line: Free Autotune Plugin Although Antares Tech's proprietary Auto-Tune is difficult to surpass, there are a few excellent free autotune VSTs for beginners. The "real thing" will probably always be king, especially for professional use, but one of the many benefits we have as engineers and producers today is having access to amazing freeware!
In 1997, Antares Audio Technologies unveiled their exclusive Auto-Tune programme. The goal was to instantly repair out-of-tune pitches for precisely tuned vocals or instruments. Nowadays, musicians frequently use the word "autotune" as a catch-all for excessively manipulated modern vocals. We'll look at some well-liked choices for a free Autotune plugin for beginners.
Engineers and manufacturers started experimenting with the technology as soon as it was introduced. The "0 retune speed" robotic effect was first heard in Cher's 1998 song "Believe." The Pitch Correction sounds unnatural at extremely fast retune speeds, yet it's a desired effect that has influenced an entire vocal production style and become a defining characteristic of contemporary genres like trap.
T-Pain further popularised the effect after Cher in the late 2000s, and other well-known musicians like Lil Wayne and Kanye West soon caught on. The autotune sound can be heard everywhere in contemporary rap music today. It is the primary affect used by artists, including Travis Scott, Future, Playboi Carti, to mould their vocals.
Free Autotune VST Plugins
1. Graillon 2 | Auburn Sounds
The most widely used free autotune plugin is Graillon. Although the 'freemium' Graillon 2 offers pitch shifting and correction—the two key components of autotune—the full, premium version undoubtedly has more functions.
Simply load the plugin and switch on the Enable Correction knob to get started. From there, you may utilise the Smooth option to adjust the retune speed (faster values result in a robotic voice; it regulates how quickly the pitch corrects itself). Additionally, you can lock autotune into a scale using the built-in keyboard for more precise pitch correction.
2. MAutoPitch | MeldaProduction
Another excellent free autotune plugin is MAutoPitch, which has features like depth, detune, and speed that are common to most pitch correction programmes.
Similar to a wet/dry knob, depth regulates how big of an impact the VST has on the sound. Detune raises or lowers the sound's pitch by cents to fine-tune the pitch. The speed knob, which again is the same as the retune speed on the Antares plugin, determines how quickly MAutoPitch reacts to out-of-tune notes.
3. Voloco | Resonant Cavity
Voloco enhances the signal in many ways than merely pitch correction, in contrast to some of the other freebies on the list. For instance, the Daft Punk and 8-bit modes give your vocals gate-like effects and LFO volume modulation. Voloco is more of a creative tool than a good pitch corrector because it was created expressly for the outrageous Cher/T-Pain sound.
Other Voloco features include a lock to a major/minor scale and a wet/dry control to alter the strength of the affected signal.
4. GSnap | GVST GSnap was the first free autotune plugin. In addition to the typical autotune-like effects, this plugin offers the uncommon ability to automatically adjust pitch to any MIDI signal that is fed to it. If you provide GSnap a MIDI synth line, it might, for example, automatically "tune" your vocals to a synth.
In place of other functions like formant adjustment, GSnap includes vibrato settings. It's a great, cost-free autotune plugin that is easy to use and performs as promised. Ideal autotune effects have a traditional real-time pitch adjustment ratio.
5. KeroVee | g200kg
In 2010, Japanese developers g200kg released KeroVee. The precise pitch adjustment offered by KeroVee, which is far more comprehensive than most free autotune plugins, more than makes up for the lack of robotic effects. Similarly to GSnap, KeroVee allows you to route MIDI notes for the plugin to use as a pitch reference.
A special feature of KeroVee is the "Nuance" option, which lets you maintain or ignore minute pitch variations like the singer's natural vibrato. Naturally, you also have a "TuneSpeed" knob that determines how quickly the plugin will adjust the incoming signal.
KeroVee is an excellent place to start if you're looking for a free autotune plugin designed for fine-tuning vocals rather than producing a robotic and obvious impression.
6. TrapTune Free Edition | UnitedPlugins
A cutting-edge vocal production tool by UnitedPlugins, TrapTune features real-time pitch correction, reverb, delay, doubling, and distortion. It's a one-stop shop for trap vocals, which shot to fame a few years ago and have since evolved into the preferred sound for many musicians in the genre. After downloading the full version, the free edition instantly unlocks (once the 15-day trial expires). It's less controllable than the premium version, but it's still a strong and enjoyable tool for vocals.
7. x42 Auto Tune A simple real-time pitch corrector is x42 Auto Tune. It works best for small modifications as opposed to heavily robotic effects because it is intended to correct vocals that are only slightly out of tune. However, keep in mind that it's a free pitch correction tool, and it doesn't get any better than free! Some users might think that to be limited in scope, which it is objectively.
8. Autotalent | Tom Baran
Despite its snarky moniker, Autotalent is a respectable real-time pitch corrector. The original method and Linux LADSPA plugin are thanks to Tom Baran. This link will take you to the plugin's VST/AU port, allowing Windows and Mac users to utilise it.
9. Logic Pitch Correction | Apple
The Pitch Correction plugin for Logic Pro X is last but not least. Although it is technically free because it is a stock Logic plugin, users will still need Logic to utilise it because it is only compatible with Macs. Nevertheless, this free pitch corrector is just as effective as expensive programmes.
The bottom line: Free Autotune Plugin Although Antares Tech's proprietary Auto-Tune is difficult to surpass, there are a few excellent free autotune VSTs for beginners. The "real thing" will probably always be king, especially for professional use, but one of the many benefits we have as engineers and producers today is having access to amazing freeware!
GSnap was the first free autotune plugin. In addition to the typical autotune-like effects, this plugin offers the uncommon ability to automatically adjust pitch to any MIDI signal that is fed to it. If you provide GSnap a MIDI synth line, it might, for example, automatically "tune" your vocals to a synth.
In place of other functions like formant adjustment, GSnap includes vibrato settings. It's a great, cost-free autotune plugin that is easy to use and performs as promised. Ideal autotune effects have a traditional real-time pitch adjustment ratio.
5. KeroVee | g200kg
In 2010, Japanese developers g200kg released KeroVee. The precise pitch adjustment offered by KeroVee, which is far more comprehensive than most free autotune plugins, more than makes up for the lack of robotic effects. Similarly to GSnap, KeroVee allows you to route MIDI notes for the plugin to use as a pitch reference.
A special feature of KeroVee is the "Nuance" option, which lets you maintain or ignore minute pitch variations like the singer's natural vibrato. Naturally, you also have a "TuneSpeed" knob that determines how quickly the plugin will adjust the incoming signal.
KeroVee is an excellent place to start if you're looking for a free autotune plugin designed for fine-tuning vocals rather than producing a robotic and obvious impression.
