Did Michael Jackson use autotune?

[gogobango]

[fisher]

Yeah, Michael Jackson did use autotune, but not in the way we think of it today. His iconic albums like Thriller and Bad were all about his raw vocal talent and incredible production skills. Autotune as a tool for pitch correction wasn't even around back then.

In the late 90s and 2000s, as autotune became more popular, MJ did experiment with it. You can hear some subtle use of autotune on his later albums, like Invincible (2001). But even then, it was more of an artistic choice rather than a necessity. His voice was already so unique and polished that he didn't really need it to sound good.

So, in short, yes, he used it a bit in his later career, but Michael Jackson's legacy as a vocalist was built on his natural talent and incredible hard work long before autotune was a thing.

[LiamJHayden]

It didn't exist for most of his career, although pitch correction has existed for a long time via varying tape speed and overdubbing (very labor intensive) and the Eventide H910 came out in 1975, but would only work well for fixing slightly off notes. Couldn't come close to what modern software does.

Anyway, here is Fil, one of my favorites on YT, doing an analysis of Michael's voice:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dQ8qY4uYUgs

[strateguy632]

probably something like it. he was overrated in the 80s.

[sheikalana]

Every singer uses a certain amount of autotune in their recorded songs but not all of them use it on live performances.

[laly520]

didn't use cuz back then it didn't exist BUT he used autotune for effects n pitch correction once it was a thing

[hahahmm]

No... the old school performers started singing at a very young age -- even if their official big career didn't start when they were young -- and they would perform live in night clubs & theaters, bars and such constantly. They could actually sing unlike most of today's performers. The old school performers had voices like a machine. They could hit whichever note they wanted to precisely. They didn't need auto tune!

[crossdressingrihno]

Throughout most of his career autotune didn’t even exist so while there was editing done in recording, all of his performances were just him because again autotune didn’t exist.

[FreyaRed]

I suppose he did.
Pitch editors are probably oldets plugins in audio software.

[Nikki1989]

Probably. I know he used backing tracks for live performances.

[AngryCarl]

Autotune was invented in 1997, so he certainly didn't use it for the major part of his career.

[handsomelad70]

Was Autotune even around during Michael Jackson's day?

[milknhoneyy]

No cuz he dead

[In_Trance]

Fuck yea

[spicythunder]

maybe.