Following the debut of the latest season of the X-Factor, many took to Twitter and message boards to complain about the apparent use of autotune voice-enhancement on some contestants voices.
So much have such murmurings mounted, that the show’s bosses have moments ago admitted they did indeed use autotune for (…wait for it…) “necessary post-production work”…
Full story below…
Via BBC:
Fans had claimed after the opening show that “autotuning” had been used to improve some contestants’ voices.
It is used in recording studios to improve performances by correcting pitch and disguising off-key mistakes.
An X Factor spokesman said post-production work was necessary on the show due to the number of microphones used during filming.
“The judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena,” the spokesman added.
“The footage and sound is then edited and dubbed into a finished programme, to deliver the most entertaining experience possible for viewers.
“When it gets to the live shows, it will be all live.”
Fans took to The X Factor’s internet forums after the show to voice their concerns.
The focus of the debate surrounded 18-year-old contestant Gamu Nhengu, who sang Katrina and the Waves’ hit Walking On Sunshine.
After hearing her effort, judge Simon Cowell told her she was “really talented” before she was unanimously voted through to the next round.
But viewer Smstrat91 said: “Cannot believe they autotuned her, listen to the words ‘door’ and ‘telephone’ and it’s very clear. She’s so good as well, but obviously the producers of X Factor didn’t think she was good enough.”
The first episode of this year’s series was watched by 11.1 million people, up from last year’s figure of 9.9 million.
Dog doo-doo if I’ve ever seen or heard it. I mean really. What legitimate justification is there for the audience to hear something other than what the judges hear? After all it is a singing contest!
That said, perhaps it’s the masses fault for buying into the idea that such shows are reality, when in fact they are scripted (and/or heavily influenced by producers), with one of only a few possible outcomes.
Here’s hoping some real talent shines through the BS.
X Factor is shite.
@oddone
so is ur ma
I went to watch x factor live this year and the producers come over and tell the judges what to say to the acts
if u notice they stare down onto their paper a lot
its because their comments are written there for them
and also ….
all the cheers and stuff are planned
they have a host (Some random man) that tells you when to cheer and how long to cheer for, and tells you to be silent when audience members are rubbish to that they can have a funny reaction on TV.
I NOTICED IT STRAIGHT AWAY AND I WAS DISGUSTED.
THIS IS THE X FACTOR, RIGHT? A TV SHOW FINDING TALENT? WHY THE F*** WOULD YOU THEN ADD AUTOTUNE TO EVEN THE S*** ONE’S PERFORMANCES? IT DEFEATS THE WHOLE BLOODY PURPOSE OF THE SHOW. BUT, THEN AGAIN, THE X FACTOR IS JUST THAT. A ”SHOW” IT’S SCRIPTED. EVERYTHING IS SCRIPTED. FROM CHERYL’S FACIAL EXPRESSIONS TO THE AUDIENCES REACTIONS.
This show hasn’t been about who has the best voice or most talent for ages now…
Gamu Nhengu is good though, I just hope she gets far! It would be awesome for an African to win 🙂
PATHETIC
BIG FAIL
MAYBE THE AUTOTUNE WAS MEANT FOR CHERYL, WE ALL KNOW SHE NEEDS IT.
Sky 1’s new series ‘Must be the Music’ actually provides downloads all songs performed by the acts after each show through iTunes with the net profits of the sales going directly to the artists.
Its supposed to be a talent competition not a show to hear auto tune!! Just found a interview of Simon Cowell admits to using auto-tune the excuses are outrageous!! watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUY2u_-FzhI
i knew it! i had to listen to that girl Gamu Nhenguʻs audition about 3 times and then i read all the comments below and i was so confused! i am a singer and i KNOW what auto-tune sounds like but i never thought X Factor would stoop so low! Sad! Iʻd rather hear some scratchy off notes that give a voice and song some character, than auto-tune!!!! When will we hear real voices again????Arrrgggghhh! Not that i ever have but, I vow to never perform with auto-tune! EVER!!!!
i think most of these shows use auto-tune at some point, if you ever notices they sound too perfect on performance night, and then later on , let’s say a different show and network that sound less perfect
The stupid show jumped the shark last year. This just slams the nail into the coffin!! We all know Cheryl needs auto-tuned. Maybe they tuned the wrong mic, haha! Yea, that annoying damn accent of hers needs to be auto-tuned.
The performance is so obviously autotuned 🙁 Very bad on X-factor’s part. Idol is on its way out, not X-factor is beginning to show flaws…. not a good look. 🙁
What is this world coming to?
WE MIGHT AS WELL START GIVING OUR ATHLETES STEROIDS IN PREPARATION FOR THE OLYMPICS! I mean seriously! How is it a singing competition if you can’t even hear the contestants’ true voices…hot mess. I have just lost most of my respect for X Factor.
http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/JONATHANGARDNERTV
Its nooooot that deep!
Those who are bad, will still sound bad, it doesnt change that much, and they will be judged by what they have done live, not after showing on tv anyway!
The live shows wont have this problem!
Whatever, X-Factor is a great show and no, its not all about the voice… the voice is the most relevant part of the Idol, but the X-Factor is something else that we cant even explain, AND THATS WHY we call it “X”