How to Autotune in FL Studio

If you're an aspiring music producer or vocalist, ensuring pitch-perfect vocals is crucial for a professional sound. But, as a human, we all know that not each vocal can be perfect, and this is where autotune comes in to save the day.

Autotune in FL Studio offers a solution which is why today, in this guide, we'll explore two primary methods of autotuning vocals using FL Studio plugins: NewTone and Pitcher and tell you How to Autotune in FL Studio using these plugins.

Understanding Autotune

Before diving into the specifics of autotuning vocals in FL Studio, it is important to understand the purpose and function of autotune. Autotune is a pitch correction software that detects and adjusts off-key notes in vocal recordings.

By analyzing the pitch of each note and applying corrections, autotune ensures that vocals align with the desired musical scale, enhancing the overall quality and coherence of the performance.

How to Autotune in FL Studio Using NewTone

NewTone is a native plugin in FL Studio that offers users a comprehensive platform for precise pitch correction and manipulation of vocal recordings. Unlike real-time autotune plugins, NewTone doesn’t automatically tune your vocals but provides users with tons of parameters to correct the pitch and polish your track.

Before we get to learning How to Autotune in FL Studio using NewTone, users should know that NewTone only works with pre-recorded audio and, hence can not work with live recording.

Step-by-Step Guide to Autotuning with NewTone

Step 1: Opening NewTone

First things first, users will have to open up a new instance of NewTone on a mixer track. To add NewTone to your mixer track, click on one of the effect slots, from the effect window that appears, select NewTone.

Step 2: Adding Audio Track

With NewTone open, Drag and drop your vocal recording into the NewTone plugin window. Once you do it, you will notice that the NewTone plugin will start analysing and once it is complete, you can move on to the next step.

Step 3: Delivering the Magic

Now that the track has been worked on by NewTone, you will have to utilize the various parameters in NewTone, such as 'Centre,' 'Variation,' and 'Trans,' to refine the pitch correction settings according to your preferences.

Centre

The Center control will allow users to decide how close to the note users want the vocal to be. If you put a higher value, the resultant vocal will be a more autotuned sound, so make sure that you select the right amount if you don’t want the sound to be too digitized.

Variation

The higher the number, the less variation in pitch when a note is being hit will be produced. In simple terms, the higher value results in a more digitized vocal output.

Transient

As a music person, you already know what transient is. A higher value will mean more variation when a note transitions from one to another, which means that the resultant sound will be more human and natural.

Note: If you want to work on individual parts of the sample, you can simply, click and drag the particular parts of the sample to different notes. This means that if you want to apply pitch correction to only certain vocal elements, you can comfortably do that in NewTone.

Step 4: Exporting The Audio

Once satisfied with the autotuning adjustments, export the processed audio for use in your project. There are four different options that you can choose from: Copy The MIDI, Save As, Drag Selection and Send To The Playlist.

Advanced NewTone

Now that you have learned How to Autotune in FL Studio using NewTone, let us tell you the advanced features of NewTone. To do so, users will have to double-click on the particular note and you will see that a red and green graphical display opens up.

Volume

To change the volume, users will have to left-click and then drag at the top where it says volume. This will allow users to change the volume of the note. Also, users can fade in and fade out the volume of each note by dragging the top of the green arrow up and down.

Variation

Users can drag right underneath the red triangle where it says “variation” which will do the same thing as the “Center” control does in the top right. It will increase or decrease the natural vibrato.

Dragging the green and red sections out from the side of each note and clicking down on the bottom of the red arrows on the side will allow you to change the transition pitch of each note.

Format

If you change a note by a few semitones, you can adjust the formant to change the tone hopefully for the better by dragging between the red and green arrows on each side. Be careful adjusting the formant too much as it makes your vocal sound artificial.

How to Autotune in FL Studio Using Pitcher

The pitcher is another powerful pitch correction plugin available in FL Studio, offering real-time processing capabilities for both live performances and pre-recorded vocals.

While similar in function to NewTone, Pitcher provides a different workflow and set of features for autotuning vocals. To learn How to Autotune in FL Studio Using Pitcher, simply follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Click the drop-down menu within the effects slots on the mixer channel and select Pitcher.

Step 2: Select the desired note to which you want your vocals to be confined. To select which notes the vocal is allowed to play, click on the corresponding note, so it does not light up.

Step 3: You can also change the pitch speed using the dial on the left and adjust the fine pitch of the vocal with the dial on the right.

Step 4 (Optional): You will find certain dials and buttons on the pitcher deck that will allow you to tweak and change even more things in your vocals, including- the gender of the vocals. While this gender change might not sound completely natural, you still can try and tweak it to get closer to what you wanted.

Limitations of Autotune in FL Studio

Now that you know How to Autotune in FL Studio, you might start thinking that autotune will make everything great, but keep in mind that while autotune is a valuable tool for pitch correction and vocal enhancement, it's essential to be aware of its limitations.

Overuse

Overuse of autotune can result in a robotic or unnatural vocal sound, so use it sparingly and tastefully.

Autotune Cannot Fix All Issues

Autotune can correct pitch issues but cannot address timing or phrasing problems in vocal performances.

Resource Intensive

Using multiple instances of autotune plugins in FL Studio can be resource-intensive, so monitor CPU usage and adjust settings as needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the art of autotuning vocals in FL Studio will require a combination of technical skill, artistic intuition, and attention to detail. Whether using NewTone or Pitcher, once you understand the capabilities and limitations of each plugin you will be able to elevate your vocal performances and create music that truly resonates with your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can autotune be used in real-time during vocal recording?

While some autotune plugins in FL Studio offer real-time processing capabilities, others, like NewTone, require pre-recorded audio for pitch correction. Plugins like Pitcher allow for real-time autotuning during vocal recording sessions.

How can I optimize the settings for autotune in FL Studio?

Experimentation and fine-tuning of Center, Variation, and Trans are key to achieving professional-grade results with autotune in FL Studio.

Can autotune be applied to instrumental recordings in FL Studio?

While autotune is primarily used for vocal correction, it can also be applied to instrumental recordings, such as synthesizers or guitars, to achieve specific pitch effects or corrections.

How do I know which autotune plugin to use in FL Studio?

Choosing the right autotune plugin depends on factors such as workflow preferences, desired features, and budget. NewTone is ideal for precise pitch correction and detailed editing, while Pitcher offers real-time processing and intuitive controls for live performances.

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