When watching X Factor this weekend, we couldn’t help but notice that there was something going on with the voices of some of the contestants. It’s was that unmistakable sound of the Autotune.  We found this quite bizarre seeing as it is a singing competition, but it was made so apparent it leads to the question, is this for more marketing?

We all know that the X Factor production team hand pick contestants to go through to the auditions and that the more strange they are, the better viewings for the auditions stages. Performances much like that of Shirlena Johnson’s are a class example of these and not forgetting Jedward.  They grab headlines and keep those people who don’t even watch the show in the loop and talking about it.  With the blatant use of Autotune this has also had the headline grabbing affect:

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1305115/X-Factor-2010-Outraged-viewers-Twitter-complain-auto-tune-technology-used-episode.html

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/aug/22/x-factor-accused-autotune-enhancing-singers

It is reported that the X Factor are not saying that they are using Autotune:

A spokesman for The X Factor, while not admitting the “autotune” charge, conceded that post-production work was necessary because the show used 48 microphones. It was, he said, for the viewers’ benefit and such sound techniques employed were “all quite usual”. Furthermore, it did not affect the judge’s decision.

“The judges make their decisions at the audition stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena,” he said. “The footage and sound is then edited and dubbed into a finished programme, to deliver the most entertaining experience possible for viewers.”

One industry insider said that autotuning techniques were commonly used, especially in American TV talent shows. Normally an audience would not notice unless it was used in a particularly heavy-handed way, which may have been the case on Saturday.

They have taken a real chance doing this as competitions such as the X Factor are always under fire for the way they produce “artists”.  This will only add to the idea that the contestants and winners are only manufactured drones to make money for Mr Cowell.

What do you think?