So my problem is that I have strange distortions, artifacts, something like distortion in the vocals. This happens with two types of plugins: autotune and vocal doubler. The problem appears with every version of autotune from Antares, Waves, and even Reatune (since I’m working in Reaper).



It also happens with the vocal doubler on both the right and left panning. I’ve checked these plugins on sends, tested them individually, meaning I had only the autotune or only the vocal doubler in the FX chain. I’ve checked the sample rate, tried different microphones, different interfaces, and even bought a new Mac Mini M4 512GB, but the problem still occurs on this new hardware. I wouldn't blame it on the GPU; an important thing to note is that it also happens with acapella tracks from the internet or with other people's vocals from other computers.



Below, I’ll attach samples on Google Drive so you can hear what it sounds like.



I would really appreciate help because I honestly don’t know what to do. I’m recording rap vocals, my own.



My setup is: RODE NT1-A, AUDIENT ID4 MK2, ATH-M50x headphones.



it’s definitely not any phasing or anything like that because it’s abnormal to have strange distortion in one of the headphones while using Auto-Tune, or to have weird artifacts in the vocals when there are pitch/tonal changes in Auto-Tune (the closer to the Note Transition 0.1, the more artifacts appear). Speed 0.1 or 8.0 doesn’t change it, but the note transition does. It's not normal as most people would think that more extreme settings cause more artifacts, because my friend has exactly the same plugin, the same microphone, and doesn’t experience any of the artifacts I’m getting! For example, I’m using AutoTune Waves Real-time and Vocal Doubler by iZotope.

These are legal plugins, not cracked ones. I’ve also seen theories suggesting issues with cracked plugins, but these are compatible with my system (Sequoia 15.3).



I really don’t know what to do – I’ve checked different XLR cables, thinking it might be the microphone, switched microphones, and still, it’s happening. I also tried a different interface – still the same! I really don’t know what to do, please help.



(better listen in headphones, but you will catch it 100% even without)

EXAMPLE ON VOCAL DOUBLER:

CLEAR VOCAL WITHOUT VOCAL DOUBLER :

VOCAL ISSUE (better listen in headphones, but you will catch it 100% even without) :

EXAMPLE ON AUTOTUNE:

"I've added a few more screenshots below – maybe this will help someone find the issue. Thank you from the bottom of my heart



https://ibb.co/SDJMT2Qq

https://ibb.co/CsmMRTt7

https://ibb.co/9Hx4Z4Fr

https://ibb.co/XrRXnHw7

 

Tell me which operating system are you using?
What sample and bitrates are you using?

Do you have any programs running alongside it?
Have you checked how much CPU you are using?

Can you install LatencyMon, run it and let us know the results:

LatencyMon 7.20
The LatencyMon software analyzes and identifies which device, which driver or which service is causing audio dropouts or malfunctions. Real-time audio suitability checker for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/2016/2012/2008 (x86 and x64)
Scroll Down to: System Monitoring Tools https://www.resplendence.com/downloads

The Ultimate Guide to Optimize your Windows PC for the Stage
https://gigperformer.com/docs/ultimate-guide-to-optimize-windows-for-stage/index.html

 

I use mac mini m4, Sequoia 15.3.1
Everything is turn off, only DAW working.
I cant use Latency Moon on MAC OS my friend!

 

Check the buffer size. A buffer size that is too low can cause distortion, especially when using processor-intensive plugins like Auto-Tune. Try increasing the buffer size and see if that fixes the problems.

System resources: Check your system usage during recording and playback. If CPU or RAM usage is high, it may cause distortion. Close unnecessary applications to free up resources.

 

My CPU is perfect, nothing strange on device from 2024... also i try every single buffor size configuration and sample rate, no matter it's 64 or 2048 its still happening

 

Hello LUNATYKlntk, could be due to the FX:

Try switching off all FX and switching them on one by one.

Try setting 44.1 kHz with 256 or 128 Samples in your audio.

 

i already tried this sir, no working

 

...I got nothing! That really is an odd one, all I can suggest is to continue the traditional troubleshooting route of trying get rid of every possible parameter until you isolate the one that's causing it. Maybe try recording at a different sample rate, what are you using?

 

I saw that your taskbar is full of programs. Maybe you should use CCleaner to clean up your startup.

Optimizing Your Computer for Audio - Windows 10
Why would I need to optimize Windows 10?

If your computer's audio has:

• Pops
• Clicks
• Audio Dropouts
• Distorted Audio
• Noise
• High CPU usage

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-...Optimizing-Your-Computer-for-Audio-Windows-10

 

Always a good idea, but that artifact doesn't sound like that kind of issue, at least to me and it appears to be quite plugin specific. I suspect some specific configuration is triggering a processing bug.

 

Guys, there has to be a solution – CCleaner isn’t helping or anything. I think the system is ok.

 

I asked the AI, here is the result:

Possible explanations for this unexpected behavior:

1. Plugin error: It could be an error in the specific Auto-Tune plugin.

2. Complex audio material: If the vocals contain fast note changes or complex melodies, very fast Note Transition values can lead to unwanted artifacts.

3. Interaction with other settings: The combination of Note Transition and other parameters such as Retune Speed or Humanize could produce unexpected results.

4. Unsuitable mode: The automatic mode may be unsuitable for the specific audio material.
In such cases, it is often recommended to switch to graphical mode.

To solve the problem, try the following:

- Experiment with medium Note Transition values (e.g. 50-100 ms).
- Adjust the Retune Speed to achieve a more natural sound.
- Activate the Humanize function to make the processing sound more natural.
- Check the key and scale settings.
- Consider switching to another pitch correction tool such as Melodyne if the problem persists.

Spoiler: Are there alternatives to Auto-Tune that produce fewer artifacts?

Are there alternatives to Auto-Tune that produce fewer artifacts?

Yes, there are several alternatives to Auto-Tune that may produce fewer artifacts:

1. Celemony Melodyne: This tool is often cited as one of the best alternatives to Auto-Tune. It allows for very detailed and precise pitch correction, which can lead to more natural results if used carefully12. Melodyne also offers advanced features such as editing polyphonic material.

2. Waves Tune Real-Time: This plug-in offers real-time pitch correction with low latency. It has a detailed settings panel that allows you to fine-tune the correction for a more natural sound.

3. Synchro Arts RePitch: This is another professional alternative known for its high quality pitch correction.

4. Auburn Sounds Graillon 2: This free option offers pitch correction and a pitch shifter. The low latency also allows for real-time use.

5. Logic Flex Pitch and Cubase VariAudio: These DAW-integrated tools can also deliver good results without the need for additional plug-ins.

For more subtle corrections and fewer artifacts, it is generally advisable:

- Set the correction strength moderately
- Experiment with medium values for the transition speed
- Use the “Humanize” function, if available
- For complex material, possibly work manually in graphic mode

Ultimately, the choice of tool also depends on your specific requirements, the source material and your personal workflow.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2025

Again, curious what sample rate your project is set to.

 

The detection isn't always accurate. Sometimes manual adjustments are required before the plugin can produce expected results.

 

since you're using Reaper and you're on Mac, it's crucial to have correct samplerate configured everywhere (interface, DAW, project, any other software like Chrome or background processes running like Spotify) and reasonable buffersize (MacOS CoreAudio default is 512),

also I'm not sure if you can really use any kinds of auto-tune on stereo/doubler tracks in general - did you try Melodyne through ARA in Reaper if the result is similarly corrupt?
can you try different DAW to rule out Reaper as problem?

 

The way you say it sounds like you're having this issue with vocals that you recorded yourself? If your friend has the same setup, can they send you a copy of a dry vocal that works and then you two could try matching settings?

It's not like you're experiencing something unthinkable, doublers and auto-tune (especially zero latency stuff) will distort, especially if they need to work harder to achieve the settings you set. The whole thing tuners are out in the race to fix is who can do it with less artifacts, so I don't exactly think you're experiencing something new here. With all respect, it sounds like you don't fully understand how to use your tools and you are expecting it to work in ways it can't do without producing artifacts.

 

at least partially this seems caused by the program settings, pretty much every setting in vocal doubler is set to be most likely to cause artifacts

although it does also sound like the vocals being fed to the plugin are just too loud

 

Guys, I think I learned something important from you, thank you for explaining it to me – I spent the whole day comparing the auto-tune plugin settings with my buddies (same auto-tune key, speed, note transition settings, and I used the same ones) and the results were identical – the same amount of glitches on the vocals. I watched YouTube videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qqegi0-4Luk and didn’t hear any glitches even with extreme settings, so I thought I’d get the same results. Turns out you were right, and companies like Antares and Waves are just competing to get closer to a natural transition between notes with extreme settings, but it seems they’re still not able to do it, and maybe they never will. I’ll start learning Melodyne, then use some light settings in Auto-Tune, and I think that will work. I’m curious how people on YouTube do it – how they avoid artifacts even with extreme settings – it's just something that interests me. Thank you to each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart – you’re really cool for spending your personal time helping me, I really appreciate each of you. And as for Vocal Doubler, I think it’s just a bug in the plugin – which makes no sense because even with a very low mic gain on my interface (I even set it half lower), it still happens. It doesn’t matter whether I record the input track very quietly or loudly, it just happens, but I’ll try alternatives instead of Vocal Doubler.

 

The Doubler 2 Stereo from Waves doesn't cause this, so it must be a bug in the plugin. As for Vocal Doubler from iZotope, it's a mediocre solution!