Using Auto-Tune LIVE with UA Apollo & Console

[@LuigiConsolino-hh6lx]

Hello! thanks for the vey interesting video! I wouds like to set up something similat just for 1 channel (my voice) for my live gigs, so it has to be as light as possible...I am planning on getting an Apollo solo. May I ask if I got it right? mic -> apollo mic input -> apollo out -> stage mixer. On the Mac i wwould run UA console set with Auto-tune. My question is, can I control the apollo solo (also the song key setting) via MIDI? this would allow me to ditch some equipment and use another MAC (we have another running on stage) and sync with all the song on the go. Thanks a lot!

[@DreamPrashant]

i’m a total noob to this so ignore my very basic question, what is the software you are using on your computer called? I wanna do a much more basic version of this with just one singer singing over minus one tracks… thanks!

[@devanbumstead]

The software is called Console by Universal Audio. But you need a Universal Audio hardware unit to use it. However, the program to tune vocals is Antares Auto-Tune which could be run a number of different ways for less money, just with higher latency (delay).

[@DreamPrashant]

@@devanbumstead thanks for the response! I got my Apollo Twin X delivered. In order to easily have auto tune with lowest possible latency using this hardware, what software do you suggest I use & any other tips? Budget is generally not an issue, ease of use is. thanks again in advance!

[@devanbumstead]

@@DreamPrashant I think using the Console software that comes with the Apollo is the only thing you need, just like I did here. And using Console ensures you’re taking advantage of the low latency features of the Apollo, otherwise, you’d be leaning on the computer and DAW for latency.

[@DreamPrashant]

@@devanbumstead great, will do! will I need to buy autotune software separately?

[@macsiggi]

@@DreamPrashant hope it's not too late: yes, the autotune version doesn't come with the interface. you'll need the specific version sold through the universal audio website

[@cokecesar]

I got a question how did you the preset for Antares it’s so mind blowing ? Can you please explain? 🙌🏼

[@nathandavis3971]

Hey I am planning on using this for live vocals but with mic inputs not line inputs. I have Apollox8 and Allen&Heath SQ5. Can you please do a diagram of routing for me? the way I understand why you are doing is mic lines come into board, then go to Apollo then back to board. is this correct? I won't be using stage box. I want to run the preamps in the Apollo though before running to mixer. Is this even possible? I was planning on routing mics into Apollo first for the Neve 1073 Preamp then to the mixer. Any advice is appreciated

[@ismscsim]

Just consol running....no DAW app required? Thank you.

[@ARCangeization]

What about latency due to the DA and AD conversion + pluggins latency? have you tried it with like a full processed voice strip for exemple ( pre+comp+eq) ? thanks !

[@devanbumstead]

I've not tried it with a full strip of plugins within Console, right now just using AutoTune and letting the soundboard process all Pre+Comp+EQ. I have no latency and the results have been fantastic! At least the way I have it setup now, I wouldn't necessarily want Console to handle Pre+Comp+EQ because I want our vocalists to hear the soundboard processing through their ears but I DON'T want them to hear their tuned vocal. So delegating the Pre+Comp+EQ to the soundboard and just the tuning to Console allows me to send our vocalists their monitor mix that includes everything BUT the processing done by Console. However, if you did want to play with that, I don't think there would be much latency because of how UAD handles all that. It's the same as monitoring plugins during a recording session--since UAD handles all the DSP processing, it comes out nearly latency free.

[@ARCangeization]

@@devanbumstead Thanks for that! Gonna try that this week with one of my collegue's x16 before buying one since i want to use it as a virtual insert rack ;)

[@devanbumstead]

@@ARCangeization It’ll work! The only caution is to not use AutoTune if the vocalists can hear it. It will throw them off. At least it does for ours!

[@vladimirslavicek3032]

Hi, i have a question - why didn’t you use ADAT for the connection?

[@devanbumstead]

I honestly don’t know much about ADAT at all. But from what I know, wouldn’t I need an ADAT card in my DLive? I already had the DX168 laying around so figured it would be the cheapest option to simply buy the breakout cables.

[@bunkbeats4sale627]

very interesting and awesome. this has to be a dream job.

[@jcnash02]

Can you tie it to a global key in the app? Also, do you have to run the apps in record enable for it to work?

[@devanbumstead]

Not sure about a global key but we don’t have be in record mode, just monitor mode.

[@lucas_fpro]

hey ! can we do this with any console ?

[@karnobmusic]

This video made me confirm my choice. I am in same situation, to run live autotune for a lead singer. I am getting the apollo X4 soon to do this and the good thing is no DAW needed. Just the console. And no latency, and i can add some uad plugins as well. One question though, it also possible to patch the singer directly into the apollo, and with a line out send it to the PA console in case the singer wants to hear the autotune right? Although ur way (as insert) is better also because in case anything happens to the computer, the vocal will not be affected

[@devanbumstead]

I believe there's a way to allow the singer to hear the tuned vocal (and other UAD effects) but that would be configured in the Aux setting on the soundboard (at least using my method with my console). Currently I have the Aux channels routed in such a way that this insert isn't sent to their ears. But, I still think it's better not to have the singer hear the tuned vocal, it can really throw them off actually because they'll hear something different in their ears than the natural resonance in their heads. I, personally, wouldn't enjoy it and it wouldn't help me be more accurate.

[@karnobmusic]

@@devanbumstead Hello Dear. I was just trying this system, so i hooked my apollo X4 to my antelope galaxy, as insert. just like i do with the hardware gear i have, created the loop. however when i leave it on Line instead of Mic, the signal is dropping dramatically, and when i increase the gain while leaving at line, im having to increase to the max to be able to listen to something, and thats a bit noisy. while on mic, its working even if i leave the gain at 0. i am doing it as a send (fx channel) in cubase 12 btw. also, while using autotine, most of the times i can hear 2 voices (like a chorus) especially on the wrong notes. any idea?

[@devanbumstead]

@@karnobmusic You’re using a DLive sound board, correct?

[@karnobmusic]

@@devanbumstead no, right now i am trying the same process you did with the computer, having the X4 as an insert to my main audio interface and using the X4 and the autotune of the X4 as insert inside my DAW

[@devanbumstead]

@@karnobmusic hmmm, yeah not really sure how to help there! So sorry!

[@adamblackmar2492]

Did you ever have any gain stage issues doing this? I’ve been running the same setup and no matter how much compression I have it ends up clipping inside console.

[@devanbumstead]

There's an important "Analog" setting. Check vid at 03:00. Could that be it? Also, set your inputs on the Apollo to LINE, not MIC.

[@adamblackmar2492]

Already set to analog, also I’m using the mic inputs on my Apollo. It’s super strange I have headroom for days on the input on the desk and always end up clipping in console and still barely getting the output I need

[@devanbumstead]

Mic input is way hotter than line. Likely why it’s clipping. If you have to use mic, try putting a pad on it.

[@phuonghoang-ee8bf]

Do you get feedback noise when you use plug in for live sound speakers? Thanks

[@devanbumstead]

Nope

[@cdt6857]

You have to get that pad off of the top of it…blocking all the airflow between that and sitting on the desk

[@nathandavis3971]

same thing I was screaming at the video

[@theswaan]

Have you guys had issues with the UA version of Auto Tune creating a double effect? We’re using a similar set up, and have gone through all the ins/ outs, and seem to be hearing both the tuned, and dry signal simultaneously,

[@devanbumstead]

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble, but no, we run this every week with no latency or doubling. It works flawlessly! What sound board are you using?

[@prodrovira]

The double effect is created when you don’t mute the UAD Console channel 1 or 2 or whatever number is connected. Therefore monitoring both DAW and Console Software (creating the double thingy effect)

[@patpharari]

his voice sounds like Ben Stiller can’t unhear

[@Geally416]

if i buy autotune artist would i be able to use my unison v76 pre amp, because autotune artist works through the DAW and not console

[@devanbumstead]

Unfortunately no. This particular method only works with the UAD version of AutoTune Realtime Advanced since it has to be used within the Console App. I, too, had to bite the bullet and invest in the UAD version. But we use this method now a lot so I'm glad I did! I think I found it on sale somehow for $99 so it was worth it.

[@Geally416]

@@devanbumstead thanks mate

[@tythesoundguy]

Well done, thank you for sharing! Two questions - are the performers monitoring off of these channel strips/are they hearing the auto tune? Secondly, have you noticed any issues with latency either from the roundtrip through the apollo, or by using the inserts on the dLive? Cheers!

[@tythesoundguy]

You answered at the end, nevermind, cheers!

[@devanbumstead]

The singers don’t hear the tuned signal, no! Which was very important for us. And no, there is no noticeable latency. It honestly works incredibly well! We’ve tried it for a number of services and it’s gone super solid every time with no issues.

[@tythesoundguy]

@@devanbumstead Aces, well done! Enjoy and keep experimenting!

[@wonderson_1]

@@devanbumstead but if we want them to hear the auto tune we can right? Do you recommend to use a little bit of auto tube for the singer?

[@devanbumstead]

@@wonderson_1 In my experience it would be bad to give the singer the tuned signal because they need an accurate picture of their voice. Otherwise they may drift on pitch harder and not know it until it’s bad.

[@jrjj447]

can we hear what it sounds like live?

[@devanbumstead]

Yep! Check this example out. We’ve been using it in our services ever since I posted this video. This audio is taken from the FOH board and the same AutoTune you’re hearing is what was heard in the house. kzbin.infopLcmrp_J5NU?feature=share

[@jrjj447]

@@devanbumstead Thank you for the link! I'm very impressed by the overall quality of the mix. Congrats on achieving such a wonderful live sound!

[@devanbumstead]

@@jrjj447 Thanks!! We’ve worked pretty hard at this over the years. We do have the capability of mixing the livestream from a DAW using Luke Hendrickson’s Broadcast Template (which sounds even better) but it requires a dedicated volunteer to run it and we’ve been short handed which is why we’ve tried to come up with solutions like this. And, to be honest, having AutoTune in the main room has been a win-win anyway-not only do people in the room benefit from hearing a less distracting, polished sound, but when doing live recordings and post-mixing we no longer have the issue of hearing the uncorrected vocals through the crowd mics alongside the corrected direct vocals. This allows us to turn up the crowd mics a lot more which helps at times.

[@andiabwaerts]

i see you are mixeremedic?

[@andym7333]

a t on monitors helps singer know if hes right

[@devanbumstead]

Hearing AutoTune in your monitor for a singer live would be very disorienting. You’d hear your natural note through the resonance in your head with the corrected note in your ear creating a lot of dissonance. It’s not ideal. We’ve been running it this way, with only the house hearing the corrected vocal, for years now with great success and our vocalists much prefer it this way.

[@andym7333]

use iem but it helps said by many @@devanbumstead

[@AI-Consultant]

sing into the mic and lets us hear you get tuned

[@devanbumstead]

You can watch any of the livestreams from @npfcc and you’ll hear it 🤙🏼

[@AI-Consultant]

@@devanbumstead i kinda meant not a pitch perfect singer, or decent singer, haha, i just have to try iit myself with my apollo quad i just bought they gave me autotune live with it, so i will see how crazy it makes and takes my voice to kayne and t pain world vs it making me sound like a real singer. i guess on one point it will kinda teach me how to get in tune over time, if i don't want that tpain effect and want to hold a tune, right ?