Synthetic Soul

[Danny Taddei]

I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
the toys, we know better.

In any event, I wonder if this "style" will be around long or just be a
trick in electronics that people end up finding as fatiguing to listen
to as I do. In the mean time, I think I will just start referring to it
as Synthetic Soul.

Danny Taddei

[Don Cooper]

Danny Taddei wrote:

> I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
> the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
> auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
> vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
> done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
> think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
> the toys, we know better.
>
> In any event, I wonder if this "style" will be around long or just be a
> trick in electronics that people end up finding as fatiguing to listen
> to as I do. In the mean time, I think I will just start referring to it
> as Synthetic Soul.


I think I know the style you're talking about. Edgar Winter used to sing
like that occasionally, and the roots of this style go way back.

I guess we can thank Mariah Carey for its predominance in today's music.

Unfortunately, many young singers abuse this style, and I fear that it
has become the new "state of the art". Ask a 16 year old to sing
acapella, and you will invariably hear a song that carries these traits.

This too shall pass.



Don

[Danny Taddei]

Don Cooper wrote:
>
> Danny Taddei wrote:
>
>
>>I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
>>the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
>>auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
>>vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
>>done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
>>think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
>>the toys, we know better.
>>
>>In any event, I wonder if this "style" will be around long or just be a
>>trick in electronics that people end up finding as fatiguing to listen
>>to as I do. In the mean time, I think I will just start referring to it
>>as Synthetic Soul.
>
>
>
> I think I know the style you're talking about. Edgar Winter used to sing
> like that occasionally, and the roots of this style go way back.
>
> I guess we can thank Mariah Carey for its predominance in today's music.
>
> Unfortunately, many young singers abuse this style, and I fear that it
> has become the new "state of the art". Ask a 16 year old to sing
> acapella, and you will invariably hear a song that carries these traits.
>
> This too shall pass.
>
>
>
> Don

Of course, we thought rap would pass too. God help us all!

[Mondoslug1]

Danny T wrote:

>I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
>the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
>auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
>vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
>done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
>think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
>the toys, we know better.
>
>In any event, I wonder if this "style" will be around long or just be a
>trick in electronics that people end up finding as fatiguing to listen
>to as I do. In the mean time, I think I will just start referring to it
>as Synthetic Soul.
>
>Danny Taddei
>

Mindy Smith is cool tho. Autotune wasn't what I noticed about her.

[Ricky W. Hunt]

"Danny Taddei" > wrote in message
...
> I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
> the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
> auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
> vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
> done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
> think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
> the toys, we know better.
>

The automelisma thing?

[Danny Taddei]

Mondoslug1 wrote:
> Danny T wrote:
>

>
> Mindy Smith is cool tho. Autotune wasn't what I noticed about her.
I could be wrong of course but it sounded like a very good use of it or
something like it. I'd like to know for sure.

Has anyone out there has worked on her stuff?

[Mike Cressey]

> I guess we can thank Mariah Carey for its predominance in today's music.
I'm not sure Danny's talking about melisma (which I can't stand hearing any more)?

Mike

[Danny Taddei]

Mike Cressey wrote:
>>I guess we can thank Mariah Carey for its predominance in today's music.
>
> I'm not sure Danny's talking about melisma (which I can't stand hearing any more)?
>
> Mike

They seem to be taking a slur and bracketing off the notes to exact
hits. I'm noticing guys taking all the slightly bent notes and making
them straight and also taking the slurs and making it sound like the
singer is just as on as calculus. There is still feeling in most of the
track and you can't really tell what's going on unless you are listening
for it. That part is good, but the feeling suffers in other places and
the normal voice is lost.

People tend to forget how many years the sound of a human voice has been
around. It's not like a guitar that can get effected to hell and still
sound ok. The end result to me is fatiguing in a really short time even
if it sounds good at the get go.

There seems to be a style though, where auto tune is making a new kind
of soulful feel. I don't like it because I have been raised with real
voice but the new kids are going to dig it because it is more right on
the money. It's a bit like eating candy and an apple together. The sugar
wins all the time until you notice you are sick.

I wonder where it will go and if it will finally pass. I doubt it will
go anywhere and I think I am going to stop listening to a lot of music
stations that play that crap. It hurts the ears!

[John Fowler]

Don Cooper > wrote in message >...
> Danny Taddei wrote:
>
> > I just heard an artist (new to me) Mindy Smith. I started to realize for
> > the first time that there is a new style of singing based on the use of
> > auto tune, (a device I don't like). I'm talking about that fluttering
> > vocal that resembles a finger being run up and down a keyboard. When
> > done well as with Mindy Smith, I think average listeners would just
> > think she was an incredible singer but of course, for those of use with
> > the toys, we know better.
> >
> > In any event, I wonder if this "style" will be around long or just be a
> > trick in electronics that people end up finding as fatiguing to listen
> > to as I do. In the mean time, I think I will just start referring to it
> > as Synthetic Soul.
>
>
> I think I know the style you're talking about. Edgar Winter used to sing
> like that occasionally, and the roots of this style go way back.
>
> I guess we can thank Mariah Carey for its predominance in today's music.
>
> Unfortunately, many young singers abuse this style, and I fear that it
> has become the new "state of the art". Ask a 16 year old to sing
> acapella, and you will invariably hear a song that carries these traits.
>
> This too shall pass.
>
>
>
> Don



You mean like the melismatic mish mash that passes for the national
anthem nowadays?



JF

[Don Cooper]

John Fowler wrote:

> You mean like the melismatic mish mash that passes for the national
> anthem nowadays?


And to think, Jose Feliciano was controversial in 1968.

[BLCKOUT420]

Yeah, I know the sound. Kinda like the sound of someone sticking a broomstick
up your butt while you sing.

"BLCKOUT420" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know the sound. Kinda like the sound of someone sticking a
broomstick
> up your butt while you sing.

A pitch-correcting broomstick?
--


Neil Henderson
Saqqara Records
http://www.saqqararecords.com