Was Madonna RIGHTLY accused of using auto-tune LIVE? Let’s find out! 

I love them as well

You expressed exactly what I was trying to find the right words for!

Exactly my thoughts. I stumbled across this video.as you do🤷‍♂️. His explanation is very informative and actually points out the youtubers and tiktokers who do videos on things like this just to elevate their own sad ego or to get more like/shares. When really they've no idea what they're talking about. 🤔. I've now subscribed to his channel. 👍

Then add a long tour with having 3-6 gigs per week.

This has been so eye opening! I have always been a huge critic of Madonna as her livee performances leave a lot to be desired for me, personally. But, given that she is a huge, international star and regularly plays at gigantic venues, now I get it. I'll never criticize her again! I love Fil's videos.

@MOBIEUS MOVIES Except autotune is almost never used deftly or artistically. I'm extremely sensitive to tones, maybe because I've always had poor eyesight, and autotune as it is used predominantly is like taking a 3 dimensional sculpture and rendering it in 2 dimensions. It honestly obliterates all texture to my ears. It _feels_ startling and uncomfortable. Does it not feel ...squashed and lifeless when you hear it applied?

You didn't hear her live on Eurovision :p

you are not artist!

the reason why she uses autotune live is to recreate the studio sound… and she also genuinely likes how her voice sounds with autotune since she’s been using it as a vocal effect since her 2000 album Music

Debbie harry did a performance in the 00s on the today show where she cannot hear herslef and she looks cross and that made her a bit flat she did keep in tune ish but it wasn't perfect. Whitney was the same in 2008 in kazakstan where her monitor boxes were not working well and there was feedback etc. People kept saying she sang badly - she didn't really.

John what a perfect comment. Sarah Vaughan was one of the greatest voices of any generation. I would suggest Fil analyze her live performance of 'Misty' from her concert on Swedish TV from Stockholm circa '64. I believe it to be one of the greatest vocal performances ever captured on film.

John Kelly - Thanks for sharing that. Sarah Vaughan is a giant in the pantheon of Jazz vocalists. Our generation was lucky to be witness to these performers... and at that time, the Tonight Show was LIVE!

After your comment I decided to check out exactly what you were talking about.... WOW! Thankyou

One of the most complete, impressive vocalists period. Such a treasure.

@@johnj2763 I have seen that live performance before but you reminded me and I watched it again. Truly amazing. Thank you. May I recommend another RU-vid video: that of Ella Fitzgerald accompanied by only one musician - Joe Pass. Again, many thanks.

Great idea! However Eurovision song contest you can not stop anything even if you hear absolute zero lol

Thanks for the kind words!

Pretty cool though right? ❤️

.... I agree, great comment. Best one I've read here on this particular video. I am not even a big fan of hers, ( sans a few songs) but yes, it must have been something to deal with, and she was 61 at this time. ( I'm in my late 60's, I get it , lol,) Yes, proud to be a Patreon Supporter as well !

@@riinak7212 Near Boston

@@riinak7212 No, and sadly I never got to hear him, even though he's somewhat nearby.

I bet someone has autotune program that can make it sound like folk. Snaps it out of tune

You don't need it sweetie xx

You might think that muscle memory would work, but most singers are used to adjusting to match the music rather than rigidly singing a song the same way every time. They are much more likely to use muscle memory when they are singing a cappella. Though even then, they can use a reference note in their in ear monitors to get started.

Relax simp, what do think old woman are above being critized?

@@justinamenta7241not here to argue 😊 all love.

Her music and voice has always sounded fake or edited. Maybe that's why she sang with such a weird tone for so long... she doesn't have the confidence to sing legitimately.

@@cacvpc i mean her purpose in life was never to become a singer - she was a trained dancer but she simply couldn’t live off of dancing

She's always said she is not the best singer but she is an amazing performer! Her live performances are amazing. Some vocals if hers as really amazing though. Watch "sooner or later" live at the Oscars for her best live vocal!

Madonna is NOT a good singer. She's mostly marketing. And yes, that's a talent too.

Their rough moments make their golden moments shine that much brighter.

I agree!!

I love how you described Madonna's choice to sing live as the 'riskiest and boldest' option. Until Fil's analyses, I never knew there were so many other options. Good or bad, it's been a wake up call for me. And isn't it strange that we are surprised that Madonna chose to sing' live' at a' live' performance?!! I always thought that was the way it was supposed to be, having attended many concerts over the past 40 yrs. seeing the best of the best, it never occurred to me that I was seeing anything less than a pure, live performance.✌️

@@cindypowers4993 Sad, isn't it? There WAS a time when that was true. 40 years ago that was certainly the case. Lip syncing "live" shows became more common in the 90s with artists who danced while singing, like boy bands and certain solo artists whose performances relied on a stage production and wireless headsets as opposed to bands who played instruments and stood at mic stands. It was very controversial at times. As far as audiences go, some people got used to it. Others didn't mind in the first place. It was occasionally scandalous. But at some point people accepted it. Then live autotune began to be introduced more and more into concerts. That wasn't nearly as apparent as artists lip syncing so it slipped through and got to the point that most people probably had no idea how common it was. Being in the industry I have many friends who work on live concert production and I occasionally am allowed to sit near the audio consoles in the house or in the wings where much of the processing takes place and can see it in action. When used carefully, as Fil has done in some demonstrations, it really isn't noticeable to most people. It's very common today.

@@larry4111 I have been to her concerts five times throughout the years - when she sings live, she sings really well. We also love her for her stage artistry which involves heavy choreography - in which case, she'd sing to backing tracks etc. And that's fine by her fans. So yes, all is fine, really. Those criticising her tend to not be her fans anyway. I didn't pay to hear her sing 100% live only. I pay to see Madonna as a entertainer packaged with thought provoking choreography, lyrics and, entertaining banter and creativity in delivery of the artistic sensibilities. Go see Adele, rock bands, choirs, etc if people want 100% singing. Nothing wrong with that either. Just pick what type of concerts they want to see and what type of artists they want to follow. Nothing wrong with any choice. Just unfair to be telling artists how we want them to create and express their artistry.

@@hoxtondean9855 Were you responding to me? It's hard to tell on RU-vid comments sometimes. Because I don't disagree at all. The topic is really autotune, not singing to tracks. Your entire comment essentially deals only with lip syncing and singing to tracks vs. singing "live," which isn't even the topic of discussion here. It's as if you were responding to a comment criticizing Madonna's lip syncing. If you were responding to me (it's hard to tell), perhaps you ought to read my comments again. I only mentioned lip syncing as a bridge to the discussion of autotune but nowhere did I criticize it. I certainly don't fault Madonna for doing so in performances. I have nothing but praise for her. That said, ironically, you said, "Go see Adele...if people want 100% singing" but Fil has already shown in his videos that Adele is often autotuned, as well. Unless you consider an autotuned live performance to be "100% live," then that isn't even accurate.

@@larry4111 Larry, thank you for your response, it was quite thorough and so interesting! Terrific breakdown of the distinction between artists who sing and dance (boy bands,etc ), and live bands who stand at a mic. Sounds like you've had some super up front and close knowledge and experiences! Thanks for sharing! I learned a lot!!

Respect ??!!. Do your research

@@raven_ous2585 yes, respect. she’s a fucking living legend. one of the last living legends from the 80s, along with Phil Collins, ABBA and Janet Jackson

@@raven_ous2585 WTF do you mean Respect? Do my research? I'm her age. I've been listening to her from day one. I'm still buying her music. I do respect her. Don't be so disrespectful.

@@AlleyandGrey Birds of a feather comes to mind 🤣🤣🤪🤪

No we don’t all lose our hearing as we age. Some people lose some hearing, some lose more & some don’t lose any hearing….

@@MyMags8 rickbeato did a good video about the hearing issue with aging. I dont think in this case with Madonna that is what it is. but the vast majority do end up off. It goes beyond just saying hearing loss though. the brain ends up compensating and teh person thinks they are in tune when they are not and in almost all cases they are flat by a semitone. in this case its the loud backing vocals i think. when those come in I can tell if it was me i wouldnt be able to hear myself.

I'm a Composer/ Multi - instrumentalist /Singer etc. Also 84 years of age. My hearing is excellent according to my Ear Doctor. And I still sing and play in tune. You can check it out on Y/T.

@@sociald100 Are you using a German keyboard ? Because your THE came out as TEH, which often happens to me.

@@bobdownes162 lol no i just do that alot

Yesss great idea

If she ever did, she certainly now couldn’t care less about the opinions of the uninformed masses.

I wouldn't want to see my grandma looking like . . . ooh, all around ooh

I saw a televised (or maybe it was online) concert she did back in the 80s or 90s. Wow! When you consider how much she was dancing, along with the singing! I couldn't believe how great she sounded while doing all that dancing. Amazing!

@@CabinFever52 absolutely! she was approaching 50 the time I saw her and danced non stop while singing live, she was incredible I have to give credit where its due.

How did Madonna pave the way for other female singers? Females have sung for decades - in abundance in the 50s and 60s.

Hahaha what a lovely and sweet nature you have!

It's the worst! I have excellent pitch and muscle memory after 30 years of singing, so my pitch is usually still pretty accurate if I can't hear myself (not perfect, but if I know the song really well I'll be okay). The bigger problem is the tendency to over-sing in a desperate attempt to hear yourself. That's just a set up for injury. (And sounds like crap!) I usually work out some hand signals with whoever is running the board just in case I need adjustments on the fly.

Madonna went to Israel to deliver a message. The peasants didnt get to hear the prophecy because they just following the pipper. Madonna doesnt have to prove anything. She is busy building schools, hospitals, and orphanges. She has bigger concerns than trying to sing like an American Idol contestant.

@@eduardochavacano Then why go on the show?

@@carr0760 Absolutely correct! It's hideous when you can't hear yourself ‼️

Thanks!

Free Spirit With Nature ??!! Really. So you respected her immensely when , along with one of her husbands, she issued her guests with rifles, so they could kill animals on their estate. Oh ok

@@raven_ous2585 To be honest, I don’t know anything about her personal life at all ,nor do I read Magazines / gossip. I was only referring to the vocals that I heard Fil analyzing. I can’t condone anyone’s lifestyle if I don’t know anything about it ., nor is it any of my business. I love animals and we’re talking about music here , not rifles or killing . 🙂

Not me. I think they sound terrible WITH the auto-tune.

I've seen many artists live , and they have been brilliant. She, however isn't one of them.

@@raven_ous2585 I guess you never saw Madonna live? You would be be astounded by how good her voice is. And yes, I saw her 5 times live in Holland AND I am critical.

​@@raven_ous2585typical critic who's never seen madonna live

@@rickricardo5326 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Love that song

@Tracy Zimmerman I dare to say Madonna and Patrick Leonard created a masterpiece.

@riina k The music video for 'Frozen' left me in awe the first time I saw it. What a song!

'Sky Fits Heaven' is also a brilliant song ✨

Interesting and valid point. As with age, our voices change along with our hearing. As a performer, and a very famous one at that, it must be more of a challenge.

Like the Yanny/Laurel thing a few years back.

Not really, you lose frequencies at the High end so you can't hear a Bat's sonar anymore. The 18-20khz range you had in your teens goes( without you knowing). i'm gettng on a bit now and a couple of years ago, I took an online musicians hearing test. This was after standing in the garden at dusk with my daughter and saying, "I don't hear Bats anymore, you always used to hear bats at dusk." Where my daughter replied" I can hear Bats are you deaf!" Anyway turns out I'm deaf above 14-15Khz and dropping out at 11-12khz. I can still mix track perfectly well and I can certainly tell if something is in tune or not so no! The only reason is a crappy mix in her headset or nothing through the headset at all.

@@Lamster66 Um, not. The typical hearing loss in geezers like me starts at or around 4k. Go to Costco Hearing Aid center & talk to the people who really know. And, yes, when you lose 4-8 K, the midranges and lows sound proportionally louder.

The brain loses it's ability to discriminate sounds from background noise as we age, and it's independent of actual loss.

I believe he doesn't label it on purpose. He wants us to visually try to figure it out, and get to the point of recognising it without being told. It's pretty obvious.

the original singer of nightwish? she's amazing!

@@riinak7212 oh wow cool. I haven't listened to their music for some time, so I was curious.

She doesn't always sing live. Especially for the dance numbers.

I wish this was true, but she absolutely has not always sang live. Confessions Tour springs to mind. Future Lovers + Like A Virgin definitely mimed, lots of others live though.

I highly doubt that

Not sure if that's the case. How could she do that, with all the high energy dancing, moving around? Compare to artists like the diva's Whitney, Mariah and others, they (practically) stand still while singing.

Sadly I never really could hear my own voice on stage so in school productions I always arranged to stand next to someone who : 1 was singing same part I was 2 knew the words 3 knew the music ! I really ought to send her a cheesecake or one of those fruit of the month club packages so popular right now. She (Marie Grimm, was Kachelmeyer) went on to sing at weddings and funerals. I got an office job and bought CDs and sing in the car (my sanctuary).

Sucks that no one warned you about that. It's a well known issue in any size stadium where you're mic'd to a pa system. Even speaking can be tough for someone who isn't expecting it.

@@_whatsername1911 No kidding. We had never played any venue like that cause it was like 1964 or 65 and probably the first show of it's kind in our city, and never got to talk to the other bands on the show who might have given us a heads-up.

She would have had a soundcheck, but the venue would have been empty which makes a huge difference!

Thank you for replying. You got to give her kudos. Her situation was a no win with the public which is a shame. People in general don't realize the challenges a singer may experience in different venue settings. Have a great day/evening.

Thanks!