Arijit Singh says Rahman started using auto-tune in a 'subte' way to make singers sound 'beautiful'

After films, India is known for its music. Earlier, the songs were recorded with instruments live and in one take. Now the song can be easily recorded and produced by people sitting in different parts of the world. In the new world of recording, one has often heard of the technical term 'auto-tune,' which is often perceived as a way to turn non-singers into singers. However, Arjit Singh, in a recent interview, explained that auto-tune is actually a processing tool and it cannot turn non-singers into singers. He also revealed that Oscar-winner music composer AR Rahman was the first composer in India to use this tool.

What is auto-tune? Arijit Singh explains

Speaking to the YouTube channel The Music Podcast, Arijit elaborated that it is not like you sing anything, apply auto-tune and it will sound melodious. “Auto-tune can’t turn a non-singer into a singer. It’s not like that you sing anything, apply auto-tune and it will sound like it’s in tune. It’s not possible.”

Arijit Singh reveals how AR Rahman effectively used auto-tune in his songs

The Satranga singer further revealed that it was AR Rahman who found a way to use auto-tune effectively. He said, "When people really liked to listen to Rahman’s songs, it was him actually who started using auto-tune in a very subtle way,” he said and added, “That’s how a lot of singers started sounding beautiful.”

Explaining the technical reason, Arijit said that when a singer sings a particular song, they sing it with emotions. And when they sing with emotions, they go away from their sur. So here, they use auto-tune to tweak it a little, to make it sound perfect. However, according to him veteran singer Sonu Nigam doesn't go out of tune.

“When a singer sings, they sing with emotion. And when they sing with emotion, it is never perfect, they go away from the sur a little bit, most singers except Sonu Nigam, he can’t go out of tune I feel. The takes that are emotionally good, but are a little wobbly on the tune, we start tweaking them and with the emotional takes, as far as you can keep it human, you use it a little bit.”

Using a food analogy, the Tum Hi Ho singer said that auto-tune in a song is like adding salt to food and  “this is used for every singer”. He also mentioned that the West has been using auto-tune for ages.  

Pritam uses auto-tune for every song: Arijit Singh

The Saware singer in the same interview shared that music composer Pritam uses auto-tune for every song. However, composers like Mithoon Sharma, Vishal Bhardwaj and AR Rahman don't like using it. He said, "Some music composers don’t like it at all like Mithoon Sharma, Vishal Bhardwaj. AR Rahman also doesn’t do it anymore, earlier he used to. Now he goes with whatever voice is there. Pritam’s music always has auto tune, to make it sound better.”