Bono and Pitch Correction

[Canadiens1131]

I was listening to the One version with Mary J. Blight and Bone-o today, and for the first time actually paid attention to the song.

What struck me was Bono's vocals. There were really, really in tune. Like, artifically in tune. I was wondering if anyone has any clue as to how much pitch correction producers typically put Bono's voice through these days?

I think on U2 records there is very little to none (see In A Little While), but on the re-done One duet it seems like there's quite a bit of Auto Tune going on. Who produced it anyway?

 

[U2girl]

It always sounded to me like they used the Katrina charity live version. U2, that is. Mary J re-recorded her vocals.

 

[gvox]

It is the Katrina charity version, recorded live in Toronto

WIth post-production, of course.

 

[Allanah]

I'll have to re-listen to the song, but I'm willing to bet that a lot more pitch correction was going on with Bono's vocals than normal because Mary J.'s producers were doing it (or were they? Who did the post-production?)

When was ProTools invented? '91 or so? So everything prior to that was done without any pitch correction. Afterwards, I'd bet they rarely used it for Bono. Even at this point in his career, his voice is astonishingly good, pitch-wise, when it's rested.

 

[BVS]

Pitch correction wasn't developed until 97.

For the most part you won't be able to tell if someone used pitch correction unless you had the source file. Of course there is the Kid Rock song where it's corrected so much it sounds almost like an effect.

 

[Canadiens1131]

One w/ MJB single version
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XlHnHY_xQVg

One w/ MJB from Toronto
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gpiSvLTlilk

Holy shit, okay it's pretty evident now. Watch both of those, and then re-watch the Single version - Bono sounds a bit like a voice sample from a Daft Punk song during the first 30 seconds.

Still, I can understand why they'd use pitch correction as I'm sure MJB does on her records.

 

[BVS]

I ran the two simutaneously. I didn't notice any pitch correction. They punched in his crackly weak note on "now" and clean up his vocal. But what do you expect this wasn't a studio recording...

 

[U2girl]

Same vocal.

A different line though - it's "will it make it easier on you now" in the MJB version and "does it make it easier on you now" in the live version, and the "now" bit sounds stronger in the studio version. He did that line in the studio again.

 

[gvox]

Bono's voice sounds amazing on this song, imo. Really punched it up a notch!

 

[Ifeelnumb84]

19 seconds into the music video, there's a box of "Vocal-aid" pills on a table...maybe a double meaning there, if that pitch correction is actually the case.

 

[kevvyfitz]

I've heard a spurious rumour that he sings through some kind of autotuner live... anyone else heard that? Have no idea if it's true or not...

Other stadium acts have been rumoured to do the same - apparently u can't hit a bum note in front of 80 000 people!

 

[BVS]

I've heard a spurious rumour that he sings through some kind of autotuner live... anyone else heard that? Have no idea if it's true or not...

Other stadium acts have been rumoured to do the same - apparently u can't hit a bum note in front of 80 000 people!

Well he obviously doesn't or he'd have flawless shows, which we all know he never does.

The technology isn't even close enough for a live setting.

Don't believe what you hear, don't believe what you see...

 

[ahittle]

Yeah, if someone is cheating live, he/she is singing along with pre-recorded stuff and the sound guys are making a blend - the worse the singer, the less he/she is in the mix.

Bono's style doesn't lend itself well to that. And I think we have all heard enough questionable notes to rest assured that the man is as live as they come.

Now, going back and fixing up live releases is another story...

 

[scottyT]

such a pleasant tune.

 

[kevvyfitz]

Yeah, if someone is cheating live, he/she is singing along with pre-recorded stuff and the sound guys are making a blend - the worse the singer, the less he/she is in the mix.

Bono's style doesn't lend itself well to that. And I think we have all heard enough questionable notes to rest assured that the man is as live as they come.

All very true... tho have to say when I saw them in Croke Park he was on pitch all night... And I don't mean because of technology either! I mean because he's a top singer!