AUTO-TUNE HAS BECOME A VIRUS, SAYS SUKHWINDER

The Jai Ho hitmaker says that singers have stopped working on their voice, and depend too much on auto-tune

Sukhwinder Singh (right), who has sung popular tracks such as Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire, 2008), Chak De (Chak De! India, 2007) and Omkara (Omkara, 2006) among many others, believes that playback singers should refrain from using auto-tune feature when they are recording songs for Bollywood films. “This autotune business has become a virus. Now that singers know that it can improve their voice and sync it with the music, almost everyone is going for this feature and not making the most of their own voice,” says Sukhwinder.

The singer adds that it’s a Western concept, quite common in Hollywood where it’s used to alter the pitch, or add special effects to someone’s voice. “But here (in Indian film industry), every singer and composer wants to use autotune on every song they record,” he says.

Also, Sukhwinder stays away from using the device, which alters pitch in vocal and instrumental music during recordings and performances. “I want music directors to use my raw voice, because that’s natural. I prefer working with music directors who don’t rely on auto-tune feature,” he says, adding, “I have been singing for more than 20 years now, and besides a few songs, I’m proud to say that none of my songs were auto-tuned.”

The singer further adds, “I’m not saying one should not use it at all. But, I feel that singers are getting more dependent on it than their own voice. They should try and stay away, and work on their voice instead. Eating achaar (pickle) along with roti (chapatti) and vegetables is tasty. But if you only eat achaar all day, then it will affect your stomach and you might get an ulcer there as well ,” he quips.

Singers are getting more dependent on autotune than their own voice. They should try and stay away, and work on their voice instead SUKHWINDER SINGH, SINGER