How to Do Autotune (for Free!)

Using garageband, learn how to easily create that autotune effect you hear so much.

**EDIT** Link to an example:

http://limelinx.com/files/e7b32e25dda5c5a22ab1bfc8c0eb3acd

Set Up a New Garageband Project

First off, Open up garageband and Create a new music project. On the screen that pops up, name the project.

IMPORTANT:

In the screenshot, the key is set to F minor. I find this a good key to play around in, but this can change depending on what you are singing. If you are an experienced musician and know about notes and such, feel free to change this, otherwise stick with F minor.

Create Your Track

We start with this garageband screen. Close the grand piano and delete the piano track (not necessary but just makes everything cleaner).

In the bottom left of our interface click the "+" button. Select real instrument and create. The Last picture shows us what we now have.

Setting Up Autotune

Now, with the track selected, go to the bottom left and click the scissor icon. What comes up is our track editor.

Take the "Enhance Tuning" slider and drag it all the way to the right and click the "Limit to Key" checkbox.

You now have Autotune set up, but to make it sound even better, we are going to add some effects.

Adding Effects

On our right side, there should be a list of predesigned effects for our use. At this point, make sure your input device is selected. I have external mic selected but I am actually using a snowball, so just click that list and change the select.

We are going to look at the bottom of this list now and click the "details" button to open our advanced menu. The picture shows the effects that I used, but I will have them listed below. Feel free to play with these.

IMPORTANT: For the Distortion and Chorus effects, click to the right where there is a pencil, and it will allow you to edit it.

Compressor: Vocal Compression Rap
Distortion: Bring the drive to about 4.0 db (keep the rest the same)
Chorus: Bring the Intensity down to about 1.0 db (keep the rest the same)

Echo: 20
Reverb: 40

Feel free to save these options as an instrument.

Have fun with your new AutoTune Effect!