How to use auto-tune for free in Audacity

If you work with sound editing or even would like to better explore the tools involved in mixing production, whether narration or music, you will like this tip. In this article, I will teach you how to use auto-tune for free through free digital audio editing software Audacity.

But first of all, do you know what auto-tune is?

You've probably already heard criticisms about some singers who lose their hands when using this effect or you've certainly been through some Pedro Sampaio song. The truth is that the primary function of auto-tune is to correct vocal and instrumental errors and inaccuracies as much as possible. As it is a tool that allows a wide exploration and offers a range of sound effects – from the most robotic to the most “alienistic” – artists often use this as a window of different possibilities for their productions.

There is even a specific software called Auto-Tune created by the company Antares. But in this case, the effect itself will be shown in another application. Before checking the two options, it is important that you have the Audacity installed. It is available for Windows, Linux, MacOS and other Operating Systems.

When accessing the pages of plugins free to download, among the instructions you will find the recurring use of the term VST. It is the acronym for Virtual Studio Technology, which stands for the software interface of plugins that integrate synthesizers and effect units into sound editing platforms. 

How to use auto-tune with Graillon 

The first auto-tune option in Audacity is the graillon from Auburn Sounds. The plugin has the function of changing vocals in your DAW - Digital audio workstation (Digital Audio Workstation) and offers many features for you to enhance music, for example. It is compatible with other platforms and is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. 

Among them, the free plugin offers Pitch-Tracking Modulation (exclusive tool) that changes the type of speakers, generates new sounds and “throat intonations”, creates choruses, among others. There is also the Pitch Shifter, if you want to cleanly transpose a voice between highs and lows in an optimal way. In addition to having Pitch Correction that brings a robotic sound.

Step 1: Download the compatible version of graillon with your Operating System on the official website and wait for the download to complete. 

Step 2: The folder will be downloaded as a .zip. You will need to extract the file. Inside the folder you will find all the plugin options for different Operating Systems. Then select yours.

Step 3: It is important that you make sure that the plugin is in the correct folder so that Audacity can read it at runtime. Double click on the file and then an Auburn Sounds installation page will appear. Select all options and save to Audacity plugins folder.  

To make it easier, for example, if your Operating System is Windows, you can access this folder through the path C:\Program Files (x86)\Audacity\Plug-Ins or by C:\Program Files\Audacity\Plug-Ins.

On macOS, go to the Applications folder and right-click on the Audacity icon. Select “Show Package Contents”. Then click on the “Content” and “Plugins” folders. 

Step 4: If a message appears asking for administrator permission, click “Continue” and wait for all pending downloads to complete.

Step 5: Open the Audacity application. If you have already opened it, you will have to restart it for Graillon to be read and executed.

Step 6: To test, open an existing audio file in Audacity or record a new one. 

Step 7: You can activate the free plugin in the “Add/Remove Plugins” section, which is under the “Effects” category.

Step 8:  Find the free plugin in the file list, which will be named Auburn Sounds Graillon and click on it. As there are three file options, you can try any of them. Then click “Activate” and then “OK”. 

Step 9: To open the features of this plugin, access the effects menu and find it in the list. Then just click. It will appear as “Graillon 2”. 

Step 10: Clicking on Graillon will bring up a window full of buttons and options for you to explore.

Examples to test:

If you want to try the classic auto-tune, you can activate the button and increase the level to 100%. Thus, you achieve that popular robotic effect. If you want to automatically tune a specific note, you can turn off the other notes. There are many resources to explore.

You can change the range of snap down to just an octave, for example, to hear what autotuning actually looks like. It also has a Pitch Shifter option that can be changed by moving the tool. 

You can also access the manual plugin for more tips. 

How to use auto-tune with GSnap 

Another option for using auto-tune in Audacity is the free plugin gsnap. Like the first, it is available for Windows, MacOS e Linux. Remembering once again that it is necessary to have the software of the Audacity already installed on the computer to be able to run. 

GSnap works with auto-adjusting pitch correction effects for music production, broadcasting and general audio editing. It has a MIDI control mode that allows you to edit a recording and create a melody, in addition to providing extreme settings capable of reaching effects à la T-Pain, Expensive and all the other “autotuned” references from the music scene. Or, if you're a fan of Doctor Who, you can risk getting into the Daleks' tone. It can be fun to create your own “EXTERMINATE!” House made. 

Let's go to the tutorial to use auto-tune with this plugin: 

Step 1: With Audacity installed, go to the gsnap to install the plugin according to your computer's Operating System. In the case of Windows, for example, click on the icon with its symbol. If multiple links listed below appear, choose to test the 32-bit VST version first. Try the 64-bit VST version only if the first one doesn't work.

Step 2: Select a location on your computer to save the free GSnap plugin. It is important to keep the information where you saved the file, as you will have to go back to it later on. 

Step 3: The GSnap download will start from the browser and will be downloaded in a compressed file format. Once the download is complete, extract the folder. In it, you will have two files: one called “GSNap" and another "GVST License". 

Step 4: Copy the file named “GSnap”. 

Step 5:  In a new file explorer window, you will need to open the Audacity plugins folder. To find it, go to the folder where you saved the software when you downloaded it. 

To make it easier, for example, if your Operating System is Windows, you can access this folder through the path C:\Program Files (x86)\Audacity\Plug-Ins or by C:\Program Files\Audacity\Plug-Ins.

On macOS, go to the Applications folder and right-click on the Audacity icon. Select “Show Package Contents”. Then click on the “Content” and “Plugins” folders. 

Step 6: With the GSNap file copied as instructed in Step 4, paste in this plugins folder. 

Step 7:  If a message appears asking for administrator permission, click “Continue” and wait for all pending downloads to complete

Step 8:  Open the Audacity application. If you have already opened it, you will have to restart it for the GSnap to be read and executed. 

Step 9: To test, open an existing audio file in Audacity or record a new one. 

Step 10: In Audacity's "Effects" tab, click "Add/Remove Plug-ins..."

Step 11: Find the free GSnap plugin in the file list and click on it. Then click “Enable” and then “OK”

Step 12: After this step, every time you access the effects tab in Audacity, GSnap will appear in the list as one of the available files. As soon as you click on it, a window opens with several options for you to automatically adjust your audio file. 

This window really has a LOT of buttons and options. You can try each of them as you see fit and test blindly or you can also consult the online manual from the GSnap that provides more information and some tips on the functions of each feature. 

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Sources: Business Insider e Mike russell