The Best Pitch Correction Plugins for Vocal Production
Perfect your vocals with these intuitive processors.
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The Best Pitch Correction Plugins for Vocal Production · Source: Celemony / Antares / Softube
There’s probably no other studio effect that’s as emotionally charged as AutoTune. Still, the sound is everywhere. Even if you can’t hear it, chances are that most of your favorite tracks from the past couple of decades use AutoTune, and this subtle kind of pitch correction is what the effect was originally intended for. In this list, we’d like to give you an overview of some of the best pitch correction plugins, whether you’re looking for in-your-face, T-Pain-style effects or just need to make a couple of quick adjustments to an otherwise bang-on performance.
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Note: This article by Dirk B. first appeared on our German sister site gearnews.de.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins for Vocal Production
If you’re on the hunt for that AutoTune effect, you now have many alternatives to the original. The effect is so popular that many developers have jumped onto the bandwagon, offering their own interpretations of the effect. Some specialize in drastic pitch quantization with ultra-fast tuning for obvious effects, while others focus on smooth, inaudible adjustments. That’s why this list includes a couple of entries that don’t necessarily stand for that over-the-top “Cher effect”.
Before you dive into the world of 3rd-party vocal correction plugins, it’s a good idea to check if your DAW already offers a pitch correction tool in the box.
If you don’t own the right tool for the job yet and want to unleash your inner T-Pain, take a look at the list below. And since everybody loves free stuff, we’ve also included a couple of free alternatives, as well as a couple of mobile apps.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Antares AutoTune
This list must begin with the OG pitch correction tool, Antares AutoTune. This software not only laid the groundwork and helped shape modern vocal production, but it also became synonymous with this type of effect as a whole.
Antares currently offers several versions of AutoTune, ranging from a beginner’s version (Access) to a full-blown subscription suite (Unlimited). Depending on which version you get, it can be a good idea to add Auto-Key, a plug-in that automatically detects the key and root of the vocal track.
This information is then passed on to the actual AutoTune plugin, which takes care of the pitch correction. Auto-Key is included with AutoTune Pro and AutoTune Unlimited, and the free Auto-Key Mobile app for iOS. You’ll find the whole range of Antares AutoTune plugins available at Thomann.*
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Brainworx bx_crispytuner
This plug-in was originally developed by CrispyAudio and named Crispytune until Brainworx acquired the company and renamed it bx_crispytuner. In addition to the actual pitch correction tool, the bundle includes bx_crispyscale, which automatically detects the key and root of the material.
One feature that sets bx_crispytuner apart is the live mode, which makes adjustments in real time without any noticeable latency. This makes bx_crispytuner a good choice for live applications.
With bx_crispytuner, you have three different workflow modes to suit the level of detail in your approach. Choose between Simple, Advanced, and Graphic modes so you can move streamlined or be as thorough as you require. Get it at Thomann.*
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Waves Tune and Waves Tune Real-Time
In its extensive catalog, Waves offers no less than three plug-ins for vocal pitch correction. Waves Tune LT is the most basic version, while Waves Tune offers a bit more, such as synthetic vibratos. These two versions are restricted to offline processing. Waves Tune Real-Time is by far the most desirable of the bunch, because it works on real-time audio streams.
If you’ve set your eyes on one of the Waves plug-ins, be sure to catch one of the manufacturer’s many sales. Check in with us from time to time, because there are frequent opportunities to secure yourself a nice discount throughout the year.
Waves Tune* and Waves Tune Real-Time* are available from our partner Thomann.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Softube Vocal Tuner
Renowned developer Softube has its own take on pitch correction in the form of the Vocal Tuner plugin. For modern recording workflows, it features a low-latency mode that allows you to track vocals with the plugin active. There are two distinctive processing modes: Classic and Modern, with different sonic characteristics.
While classic mode gives you the original auto pitch correction sound, modern mode will preserve the vocal formants. This allows you to achieve a sound that is more synthetic or more subtle and natural, depending on the sound you’re after. To shape the sound, you have the main tuning speed, character, and tone controls positioned centrally for easy access.
Meanwhile, there are additional controls to set the range and sensitivity, as well as adjust the pitch, formant, and there’s a useful octave feature. This allows you to add additional vocal layers an octave above or below the processed vocal. Overall, the Vocal Tuner plugin is straightforward to use, with Softube’s high-quality processing that delivers the best results.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Celemony Melodyne
Melodyne isn’t an obvious choice for Cher-style effects, although it can absolutely do that, too, if you push it hard enough. The software operates differently from the plug-ins mentioned above and is more tailored to intricate tasks, such as precise editing of the pitch, pitch deviation, vibrato, and timing of each individual note. Melodyne is known for its transparent sound and many creative possibilities.
If you’re looking for a tool that lets you edit vocal recordings with a laser focus on the exact pitch curve, Melodyne is hard to beat. Another thing that sets it apart: Melodyne also works on polyphonic material. You can edit vocal recordings with multiple voices and even turn a single melody into an entire choir. It’s also great for correcting the pitch and timing of instrumental recordings. The software integrates deeply into compatible DAWs via the ARA2 protocol.
The various versions of Melodyne are all available at Thomann, including updates from older versions. Here’s a list*.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Synchro Arts Revoice Pro 5
Like Melodyne, Revoice Pro is designed to perform as naturally as possible and lets you go into great detail with your adjustments. The software is a comprehensive tool for editing vocals, speech, or instruments.
If you’re looking for a distinct, audible Auto-Tune effect, look elsewhere. But if you need a comprehensive and in-depth vocal alignment and pitch correction tool, and additional effects like convincing double tracking, Revoice Pro is the right tool for the job. Another interesting feature is the ability to copy the pitch from one recording to another.
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: zplane reTune
This plug-in isn’t the #1 choice for artificial Auto-Tune effects. But when it comes to polyphonic pitch shifting, reTune is in a class of its own, especially with complex and polyphonic material.
reTune allows you to alter the pitch of instrumental tracks or change the key of entire songs and delivers convincing results in a wide range of up to two octaves. Get it at Thomann.*
The Best Pitch Correction Plugins: Soundtoys Little AlterBoy
Unlike many pitch correction plug-ins, Little AlterBoy by Soundtoys offers only a handful of parameters. While it can deliver the typical hard tuning effect of modern R&B and hip hop productions, there are plug-ins that are better at it.
So why is Little AlterBoy on this list? It’s fast! The plug-in lets you create cool pitch effects in no time and even lets you change a male voice to a female voice or vice versa. It can also turn your voice into a robot. Get it at Thomann*.
Free Pitch Correction Plugins: MeldaProduction MAutoPitch
MAutoPitch by MeldaProduction is a free alternative. The plug-in works on voices and other monophonic material and offers some additional features, like stereo widening. It also features an integrated limiter.
If you’d like to experiment with automatic pitch correction before you buy one of the commercial tools, give MAutoPitch a try.
Free Pitch Correction Plugins: Auburn Sounds Graillon
Auburn Sounds Graillon is another free option. To be precise, there are two versions. The free version offers pitch correction and pitch shifting. The Pro version, which costs USD 39, adds a number of features for more drastic changes to the source material.
Due to its low latency, Graillon can be used in real time. It sounds pretty decent, and many consider it to be one of the best free alternatives to Auto-Tune. It’s available for macOS, Windows, and even Linux, which is another plus.
More about Pitch Correction Plugins:
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