Hey guys! So you wanna learn how to use Autotune in FL Studio 20? You've come to the right place! Whether you're aiming for that hyper-modern, robotic vocal effect or just want to subtly correct a few pitchy notes, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Autotune can be a game-changer for your tracks, and FL Studio 20 makes it pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Let's dive in!

Understanding Autotune

Before we jump into FL Studio, let's quickly cover what Autotune actually is. At its core, Autotune is a pitch correction software. It analyzes an incoming audio signal (usually a vocal) and automatically adjusts the pitch to the nearest note in a selected scale. This can range from subtle, almost imperceptible corrections to the heavily processed, robotic sound popularized by artists like T-Pain and Travis Scott. The key to using Autotune effectively is understanding its parameters and knowing how to tweak them to achieve your desired sound. You see, Autotune isn't just a one-size-fits-all effect; it's a powerful tool that requires finesse. You need to consider things like the key of your song, the scale you want to use, and the speed at which Autotune corrects the pitch. Messing with these settings can drastically change the outcome. For example, a slow retune speed will result in a more natural-sounding correction, while a fast retune speed will give you that signature Autotune effect. Also, remember that less is often more. Overdoing Autotune can make your vocals sound unnatural and robotic, even if that's not your intention. Start with subtle settings and gradually increase the intensity until you find the sweet spot. Experimentation is key! Don't be afraid to try different settings and see what works best for your particular vocal performance and song. The more you play around with Autotune, the better you'll understand its capabilities and how to use it effectively in your music. And lastly, keep in mind that Autotune is just one tool in your arsenal. It's not a magic bullet that will automatically make your vocals sound perfect. Good vocal technique and a solid performance are still essential for achieving great results. Think of Autotune as a way to enhance and polish your vocals, not to replace them entirely. By understanding these fundamental concepts, you'll be well on your way to using Autotune like a pro!

Choosing Your Autotune Plugin

FL Studio doesn't come with Autotune built-in, so you'll need a plugin. The most popular option is Antares Autotune, which is the industry standard. However, it's a paid plugin. If you're on a budget, don't worry! There are some excellent free alternatives like MAutoPitch by MeldaProduction or Graillon 2 by Auburn Sounds. These free plugins offer many of the same features as Antares Autotune, allowing you to achieve similar results without breaking the bank. When choosing an Autotune plugin, consider factors like ease of use, features, and sound quality. Some plugins are more intuitive than others, so if you're a beginner, you might want to start with a simpler option. Features like formant correction, vibrato control, and real-time MIDI control can also be important, depending on your needs. And of course, sound quality is crucial. Listen to demos of different plugins and see which one sounds best to your ears. Remember that the best Autotune plugin is the one that works best for you and your workflow. Don't feel pressured to use the most popular or expensive option if it doesn't suit your needs. Experiment with different plugins and find the one that you're most comfortable with and that gives you the sound you're looking for. Once you've chosen your Autotune plugin, make sure to install it correctly and scan for it in FL Studio so that it shows up in your plugin list. This is usually a pretty straightforward process, but if you're having trouble, there are plenty of tutorials and guides available online to help you out.

Installing and Loading Your Plugin in FL Studio 20

Okay, once you've picked your Autotune plugin, you'll need to install it. This usually involves running an installer file and following the on-screen instructions. After installation, open FL Studio 20. Go to Options > Manage Plugins. A window will pop up. Click on "Find plugins" to scan your system for the newly installed plugin. Make sure the plugin is enabled in the list. Now, to use it, open your mixer (View > Mixer). Select the track you want to apply Autotune to (usually your vocal track). In one of the empty FX slots, click the dropdown menu and select your Autotune plugin from the list. It should now be loaded and ready to go! Guys, this part is really important, so pay attention. Make sure you've correctly installed the plugin and that FL Studio has recognized it. If you're having trouble finding the plugin in the list, try rescanning your plugins or checking the plugin's installation directory to make sure it's in the right place. Also, double-check that the plugin is compatible with your version of FL Studio and your operating system. Once you've loaded the plugin onto your vocal track, you'll see its interface. This is where you'll control all the parameters of the Autotune effect. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different controls and settings. Read the plugin's manual or watch some tutorials to get a better understanding of how everything works. The more you know about your Autotune plugin, the better you'll be able to use it effectively. And don't be afraid to experiment! Play around with the different settings and see how they affect the sound of your vocals. This is the best way to learn how to use Autotune and to discover new and interesting effects.

Setting the Key and Scale

This is crucial. Autotune needs to know the key and scale of your song to work correctly. If you don't set these properly, it will try to correct your vocals to the wrong notes, resulting in a dissonant and unpleasant sound. Most Autotune plugins have a key and scale selection menu. Determine the key and scale of your song (if you don't know music theory, there are tools online that can help you figure it out). Select the correct key and scale in the plugin. Some plugins have an "auto" mode that attempts to detect the key automatically, but it's generally more reliable to set it manually. To properly set the key and scale in your Autotune plugin, you'll first need to determine the key and scale of your song. If you're not familiar with music theory, there are several ways to figure this out. You can use online tools that analyze your song and tell you the key and scale, or you can consult with a musician or music teacher who can help you. Once you know the key and scale of your song, you can select it in the Autotune plugin. Most plugins have a dropdown menu or a keyboard interface where you can choose the key and scale. Make sure you select the correct key and scale, as this is crucial for the Autotune to work properly. If you select the wrong key or scale, the Autotune will try to correct your vocals to the wrong notes, resulting in a dissonant and unpleasant sound. Some Autotune plugins have an "auto" mode that attempts to detect the key automatically. However, it's generally more reliable to set the key and scale manually, as the auto mode can sometimes be inaccurate. Once you've set the key and scale, you're ready to start tweaking the other parameters of the Autotune plugin to achieve your desired effect.

Adjusting Retune Speed and Other Parameters

Okay, this is where the magic happens! The retune speed determines how quickly Autotune corrects the pitch. A faster retune speed will create a more robotic, artificial sound, while a slower retune speed will sound more natural. Experiment with this setting to find the sweet spot for your track. Other important parameters include humanize, which adds subtle variations to the pitch correction to make it sound more natural, and formant correction, which helps to maintain the natural timbre of the voice. Different Autotune plugins will have slightly different parameters, so refer to the plugin's manual for a full explanation of each control. Adjusting the retune speed is a crucial step in using Autotune effectively. A faster retune speed will create a more robotic, artificial sound, which can be desirable for certain genres and styles of music. However, it can also sound unnatural and harsh if overdone. A slower retune speed, on the other hand, will sound more natural and subtle. It will still correct the pitch of your vocals, but it will do so in a way that is less noticeable. Experiment with different retune speeds to find the sweet spot for your track. Consider the style of music you're making and the overall sound you're trying to achieve. Other important parameters to consider include the humanize control, which adds subtle variations to the pitch correction to make it sound more natural. This can help to avoid the robotic, sterile sound that can sometimes result from using Autotune. The formant correction control helps to maintain the natural timbre of the voice. Formants are the resonant frequencies of the vocal tract, and they play a crucial role in determining the character and quality of a voice. By adjusting the formant correction control, you can ensure that the Autotune doesn't alter the natural sound of your vocals. Different Autotune plugins will have slightly different parameters, so refer to the plugin's manual for a full explanation of each control. Take the time to understand what each parameter does and how it affects the sound of your vocals. This will allow you to use Autotune more effectively and achieve your desired results.

Tips for Natural-Sounding Autotune

Want your Autotune to sound smooth and natural? Here are a few tips: Use a slower retune speed. Aim for subtle corrections rather than drastic pitch shifts. Use the humanize feature to add variations. Make sure your initial vocal recording is as good as possible. Autotune is not a substitute for a good performance! Reduce artifacts by checking your work often. Also, less is often more! Don't overdo it. It's better to start with subtle settings and gradually increase the intensity until you find the right balance. Pay attention to the details and be willing to experiment. The more you practice, the better you'll get at using Autotune to enhance your vocals in a natural and pleasing way. To achieve natural-sounding Autotune, it's essential to use a slower retune speed. This allows the Autotune to correct the pitch of your vocals in a more gradual and subtle way, avoiding the robotic and artificial sound that can result from using a faster retune speed. Aim for subtle corrections rather than drastic pitch shifts. The goal is to enhance your vocals, not to completely transform them. If you're making drastic pitch shifts, it's likely that your vocals will sound unnatural and overprocessed. Use the humanize feature to add variations to the pitch correction. This helps to make the Autotune sound more natural and less sterile. The humanize feature adds subtle random variations to the pitch, which mimics the natural imperfections of the human voice. Make sure your initial vocal recording is as good as possible. Autotune is not a substitute for a good performance. If your vocals are poorly recorded or out of tune to begin with, Autotune will have a harder time correcting them and the results may not be satisfactory. Take the time to record your vocals properly and ensure that they are as good as possible before applying Autotune. Less is often more. Don't overdo it with the Autotune. It's better to start with subtle settings and gradually increase the intensity until you find the right balance. Overusing Autotune can make your vocals sound unnatural and overprocessed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Alright, let's talk about some common pitfalls. Setting the wrong key or scale is a big one. Always double-check! Overusing Autotune is another common mistake. Remember, subtlety is key. Also, don't expect Autotune to fix a terrible vocal performance. It can enhance a good performance, but it can't magically transform a bad one. Finally, ignoring the plugin's manual can lead to frustration. Take the time to read the manual and understand all the features and settings. One of the most common mistakes to avoid when using Autotune is setting the wrong key or scale. As mentioned earlier, Autotune needs to know the key and scale of your song to work correctly. If you set the wrong key or scale, it will try to correct your vocals to the wrong notes, resulting in a dissonant and unpleasant sound. Always double-check that you've selected the correct key and scale before applying Autotune. Overusing Autotune is another common mistake. Remember, subtlety is key. The goal is to enhance your vocals, not to completely transform them. If you overuse Autotune, your vocals will sound unnatural and overprocessed. Start with subtle settings and gradually increase the intensity until you find the right balance. Don't expect Autotune to fix a terrible vocal performance. It can enhance a good performance, but it can't magically transform a bad one. If your vocals are poorly recorded or out of tune to begin with, Autotune will have a harder time correcting them and the results may not be satisfactory. Take the time to record your vocals properly and ensure that they are as good as possible before applying Autotune. Ignoring the plugin's manual can lead to frustration. Autotune plugins can be complex and have many different features and settings. If you don't take the time to read the manual and understand all the features and settings, you may find yourself frustrated and unable to achieve your desired results. Take the time to read the manual and experiment with the different settings to get a better understanding of how the plugin works.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to using Autotune in FL Studio 20. Remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your own unique sound. Autotune is a powerful tool, and with a little knowledge and experimentation, you can use it to create amazing vocal effects. Now go make some awesome music! And remember to have fun with it. The more you experiment and play around with Autotune, the better you'll understand its capabilities and how to use it effectively in your music. Don't be afraid to try new things and push the boundaries of what's possible. Autotune can be used in a variety of creative ways, so let your imagination run wild and see what you can come up with. Whether you're aiming for a subtle and natural sound or a heavily processed and robotic effect, Autotune can help you achieve your desired results. So go out there and start experimenting with Autotune in FL Studio 20. With a little practice and creativity, you'll be creating amazing vocal effects in no time.