X-Factor Auto-Tune scandal (maybe others too)

[martindn]

Hmmm Well, I don't have much time for Simon Cowell at the best of times, although X Factor has sometimes had some decent artists. Some of these can sing properly, Keedie for example who is on X Factor this year, and is an excellent singer.

But I am absolutely appalled by this. I too want to hear what a singer can do. I'm am not interested in what the technology can do, I want to judge the singer, not his/her sound engineer.

That's before we even start to think about how this technology can be used to unfairly bias things in favour of particular performers, presumably those the Syco thinks he can make money out of. Don't go there you might say, but whilst this technology is allowed to be used, the few viewers of these programs who still have ears for the music rather than the visual appeal of the acts are going to have their task made impossible. And Cowell can manipulate the results to his own taste.

Since it is a singing contest, perhaps it would be better on radio anyway. That way, the images would not distract us from the music.

But then it isn't a singing contest. It is simply a way for Cowell to promote his artists ahead of other people's in the run up to Christmas.

The whole thing stinks amyway, but with this revelation, the stench is becoming unbearable.

As an aside, I wonder if an artist who believes that the technology has been used to worsen their performance could take legal action against Cowell? That would make things interesting!

Martin D

[nicola]

Hello Martin,

No, they couldn't. I know many stories of what the producers have done to manipulate the contestants, and you would hear some it and you may think 'Why don't they go to the press with it?!' but it's because they signed a contract, and that contract allows X-Factor to do whatever the hell they want, and represent them in any way they see fit.

Also, X-Factor claim that they do not use this auto-tuning device during live shows (who knows), only through pre-recorded means. This means that the judges are basing their opinions on what is live in front of them. Since the viewers are not deciding anything yet, it's not technically "cheating" anyone. However, people tend to choose their favourites and least favourites during these early times.

[martindn]

Hi Nicola,

I should have known Cowell would have the legal side sewn up!

And yes, you don't get hifi out of a TV set, and that there is some distortion that is unavoidable, but deliberately manipulating a performance with autotune would be pointless surely before the viewers could vote if it has no influence. Why do it then? It can only be because it DOES inflence later voting. What a circus? And one which sadly will not help promote the most accomplished musicians and the best music. Why bother to learn to sing properly when electroncs can do it for you?

I love to hear fine voices and fine singing as I'm sure you know. I want to marvel at great voices and at mastery of the art of singing. I don't want to be conned by fakes.

Martin D

Martin D

[nicola]

I, for one, will be quite upset if they have done any of this auto-tuning for Keedie if they show her. How outrageous is that? she has exceptional talent, but it could be written off as auto-tuning. Her voice doesn't need any of that and that should be demonstrated on the show.

[Dave]

Aug 24, 2010 20:26:01 GMT nicola said:

Of course people are fooled. The masses trust what they've been told. People that know anything about music may spot it, but don't expect every Tom, Dick and Harry to notice.

That's right, Nicola. I'm embarrassed to admit that when I by chance turned on the TV on Saturday, moments before Gamu sang, I was fooled. Though she isn't a classical crossover singer, I was impressed by the quality of her vocals *and her ability to sing impeccably in tune*. It wasn't all about her pitch control, she has other good attributes as a singer - but it was a significant part of my judgement of her as a singer.

When I go back to the recordings of it now, it is all too obvious what was going on - but I guarantee that 99% of Saturday's audience had no idea they were being fooled until the few who did notice it spoke out. Because I was fooled, and annoyed, I decided to start this thread. I am still annoyed and I simply do not trust the official statements that it hasn't been done in live shows in the past. Who indeed is to know? It casts a shadow over all the singers and I hope this does not turn out to be a case of "all publicity is good publicity" for Cowell and his ilk.

Dave

[mihizawi]

Well, this thing is sad and disgusting, so I think I may point out some brighter considerations.

The point is that true music lovers and fans of those artists most probably will end up hearing the artist live and without any trickery, and will then realise how good the singer actually is. I am thinking of the likes of Faryl or Jackie (and others who I am not so aware of), who, eitherr before or after the show, have prooved that they are great singers on their own right, singing live.

Of course, this doesn't really make things less outrageous: most of the wide audience are being fooled, but at least we can hope that those who really get interested will end up finding out the truth.

Michal

[Elliot Kane]

Steve is partly right, IMO. The X Factor is not a singing contest, it is a performance contest. Entrants are not expected to be judged solely on the quality of their singing, but rather on how much they possess that elusive 'star quality'.

A great live act is about giving the audience a show, and that's what X Factor is ultimately looking for.

With that said, singing ability is very much a PART of the performance, and so auto-tune should absolutely be banned. There's no way to judge real talent when that thing is in use.

If you want to see how massive a difference it can make, borrow Dave's example from the original post: listen to Miley performing Party In The USA live vrs the studio version. You'd be hard pressed to say it was the same singer (Miley sounds vastly better without it, granted, but she's unusual).

[Maggie]

This is how contestants should be heard, no mic, no music, no orchestra/band - just the voice.....................

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvZFyeZVaNo

[nicola]

Well, to cover up all this auto tuning business, the X-Factor have kicked out Shirena from the competition because of "mental illness". She shouldn't have been put through in the first place, for a reason that has nothing to do with her mental stability!

[Natasha]

I have an avid distrust in "reality" shows, sometimes real talent comes from them but that's not what their about. So long as the public watches, they don't care what happens. I absolutely believe they manipulate the shows outcome for ratings and this is just another way they do it. Absolute shame.

Has anyone actually read one of those contracts? They are available online at show's websites for future contestants and they are ridiculously long and scary!

[postscript]

What is interesting is that winning does not necessarily mean anything. Faryl was a runner-up, yet who doesn't know her and can remember those who did? Talent will out.

Peter S

[martindn]

Well, Peter, I would like to believe that, but others with much less talent have outsold her. Hype will out, unless the artist is so dire that even the tone deaf can see through them.

Martin D

[Elliot Kane]

Hype and the mainstream, yes. Faryl is selling very well within a niche genre, but it's still a niche genre and even having the world's best female voice is not enough to get and keep a mainstream audience, as Hayley proves.

Faryl IS outselling pretty much every other BGT artist, I believe, including a few who placed higher than she did. Susan Boyle is obviously beating her, and I'm not sure about Paul Potts, but other than that, she seems to be doing best of all the BGT acts.

It seems that regardless of votes, there was one big winner from each of the first three BGT series. And Faryl is the big winner in hers.

[nicola]

Paul has sold over 3 million albums - Faryl has sold about 200,000. Not that much. Rhydian sold over 600,000 of his debut album (though that was X-Factor).

I don't think Faryl is remembered over George Sampson either (do I have the right series?) I have been happy with everybody who has won that talent show apart from Paul Potts. There has been great talents to win that show.

[Elliot Kane]

Nicola,

So only the two I mentioned have outsold her from BGT? That's not too terrible, is it? Granted, I didn't think Paul was that far ahead, but still. He DID win the first series, which is always going to make him just a bit special.

Pretty sure you have the right series with Sampson. He was the break dancer, right? Last I saw of him was an article saying Simon had dropped him from his contract. I never understood how he won, honestly, as I didn't think he was that good. Most of the winners have been worthy, though, I must agree.

Nonetheless, I stand by my original assertion that Faryl was the big winner from her series of BGT.