Vocal Tuning or Not Vocal Tuning – That Is the Question
Vocal tuning. Instrument correction. The mere mention of it can spark heated debates in studios and online forums alike. Is it cheating? Is it necessary? Or is it simply part of the modern DNA of music production? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody jump headfirst onto the autobahn of decisions and tackle the hot-button issue: to tune or not to tune.
Why Talk About Tuning?
Because love it or hate it, tuning is everywhere. From polished pop vocals to subtle guitar intonation fixes, modern music often leans on tuning tools to achieve professional results. Chris and Jody bring an honest, balanced perspective to a subject many avoid, asking: What’s the line between correction and overcorrection?
Tools of the Trade
The duo break down what they personally use for tuning and when they decide to apply it. They talk through the major players in the tuning world, from industry giants like Auto-Tune and Melodyne to DAW-native solutions that make quick fixes possible. Along the way, they offer recording setup tips to help avoid problems at the source, so you’re not relying on tuning as a crutch.
More Than Just Vocals
While vocals usually grab the spotlight, Chris and Jody expand the conversation to other instruments too. Bass guitars, strings, horns—anything can drift out of tune, and sometimes subtle correction can save an otherwise stellar take.
Pitfalls and Possibilities
Of course, there are pitfalls to watch for: unnatural artifacts, “robotic” vocals when they weren’t intended, or even losing the emotional essence of a performance. Chris and Jody dive into how to avoid these traps and how to decide when tuning serves the song—or when it’s better to leave a little imperfection in for character.
Why You’ll Want to Listen
This episode isn’t a lecture—it’s a real conversation about a sensitive but vital part of music-making. With humor, honesty, and the occasional bit of nonsense, Chris and Jody give listeners a toolkit for making informed choices about tuning in their own work. By the end, you’ll understand not just how to tune, but when to tune, and why the decision is ultimately about serving the song.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.
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