There is a great possibility that you haven't heard of Cher Effect, a semi-artificial sound effect realized by digital pitch adjustment. But you are never far away from auto tune things as long as you know rap, electronic music, hip hop, trap, etc. So what is Auto-Tune? Are there any best free autotune software if, for some people, Antares Auto-Tune plugin is not affordable? Read on to find the answers.
What is Auto-Tune?
Auto-Tune used to be known as a byword for a single-brand pitch correction tool - Antares audio processor. Now it means much more, referring to general autotune VST plugins software, which can be used to correct errors in vocal intonation and create specific sound effects, especially for Electronic Music and Hip Hop.
Allow me to take one example: T-PAIN, who "was featured on more than 50 chart topping singles" [1] and is best known for shining the spotlight on the prevalence of Auto-Tune. See some popular songs T-PAIN produced with autotune:
- Thug Story by Taylor Swift featuring T Pain
- 5 O'Clock by T-Pain featuring Lily Allen
- 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Best Free Autotune VST Software
With more and more free online and offline autotune VST software available for Audacity, Pro Tools and many other audio editing software, the ability to cut through the clutter is critical. Then, what are some best free autotune software for Windows and Mac? The following three auto tune plug-ins are worth trying.
#1. Melda MAutoPitch
OS: Windows, macOS
Free download: https://www.meldaproduction.com/downloads
MAutoPitch is one of the best free autotune VST plug-ins provided by MeldaProduction, whether you need some subtle pitch correction to vocals or artificial audio effects.
What you can do with MAutoPitch? Besides formant shift, dry wet changing/mixing, and automatic gain control, you are allowed to adjust the depth and speed of automatic tuning. Put them both to the top (100%), choose major minor, and you will get T-PAIN effect. Or change Width under Effects to create stereo effects. Remember that if you download MAutoPitch 32-bit autotune plugin, use it with 32-bit hosts only. The same goes to 64-bit.
Warm Note
To use MAutoPitch, free download maudioplugins_14_07_setup.exe or .dmg from the Melda official website and install the MFreeFXBundle with total 36 free plugins. VST, VST3 and AAX plugins can be installed selectively as well.
#2. Graillon
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download link: https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Graillon.html
Graillon 2 is a free autotune plug-in software developed by Auburn Sounds for vocal living changing, like robot voice making. And you can pay $29 to upgrade to the Full edition for advanced features like PTM sound modification algorithm.
Is Graillon only a pitch correction tool? Not really. Looking like a physical auto-tune device, Graillon is an autotune VST that can work on various platforms, coming with Correction, Pitch-Shift, Pitch-Tracking Mod, Bitcrusher and Output parts. Whether you want to get in line with the note, generate robot sounding or create a chorus, Graillon can help you achieve all those easily.
How to install Graillon autotune VST?
- Free download Graillon-FREE-2.4.zip and then unzip it.
- Click into Windows, macOS or Linux folder to run the installer.
- You will get two .dll files, which then should be put to the path of DAW for using as autotune plug-in.
#3. GVST - GSnap
OS: Windows only
Free download: https://www.gvst.co.uk/gsnap.htm
GVST is a UK website containing a series of free audio effects plug-ins, among which GSnap is the free auto-tune VST software that you may need for pitch correction, although it works on Windows only.
How does GSnap autotune software work? The control panel consists of three parts - Detection, Correction and MIDI. You can set the bottom and top audio frequency range to specify where to start the detecting. That varies from person to person. Or change values under Correction to control vocal tuning effect. For example, put the AMOUNT to 100% to sound like T-PAIN. And then select a key and scale, like F minor.
For more details on how to use this GVST autotune vst software, check the official GSnap manual. Surely you can search online for things like best GSnap autotune settings.
True, such free autotune software makes it easy to adjust vocals or tuning shifts. But what's even truer is there is nothing free that can surgically tune the notes as you might wish. So try some industry-standard autotune software and pay for it if you can, such as Antares Auto-Tune Pro and Melodyne (30-day free trial).
How Does Auto-Tune Work?
Wonder how Auto-Tune software works? The YouTube video below made by Tom Scott, performed together with Gregory Brothers, will explain it to you in a fascinating way. At the end of the video, you will also see how it is like when autotune fades out. Note that Auto-Tune doesn't make you a better singer if you always complete a song with off-key singing. You just can be slightly more in tune.
[1] T-Pain is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer...
