Singer Sonu Nigam has opened up about the use of auto-tune in modern music production, revealing that he also uses the technology on certain songs.
Speaking on the YouTube podcast Game Changers: The Music Series, the veteran singer explained that the shift from live instrumentation to highly digitised recording has changed the way vocals and music interact.
While auto-tune has often been criticised for making it easier for singers with limited vocal ability to sound polished, Sonu offered a different perspective, saying the technology can be useful when used appropriately.
‘I Use Auto-Tune on Certain Songs’
Sonu acknowledged that he uses auto-tune on some of his own tracks.
He explained that singers from an earlier generation had the advantage of recording alongside live musicians and instruments, where minor variations in pitch could naturally blend into the overall musical arrangement.
According to Sonu, modern recordings are much more digitally precise, with instruments and vocals often aligned to exact pitches. This can make an otherwise capable raw vocal performance sound slightly out of place.
He said that the change from live instrumentation to digital production has contributed to the increased use of pitch correction.
Auto-Tune Should Enhance Talent, Not Replace It
While defending the legitimate use of the technology, Sonu drew a clear distinction between refining a performance and creating the illusion of vocal ability.
He argued that auto-tune should ideally bridge a very small gap for an already skilled vocalist rather than completely transform the performance of someone who cannot sing.
The singer also acknowledged that actors may use pitch correction to fulfil their musical ambitions, but stressed that such technology should not be seen as a replacement for professional singers.
From Live Instruments to Digital Production
Sonu’s comments also highlighted how dramatically music production has evolved.
Earlier recordings frequently featured live sarangi, strings and other instruments, creating a more organic musical environment. Singers could naturally adjust their pitch and expression in response to the musicians performing alongside them.
Today’s digitally produced tracks, on the other hand, often feature highly precise instrumentation and production. As a result, even a naturally expressive vocal may sound slightly different when placed against an electronically perfect musical arrangement.
For Sonu, therefore, the discussion around auto-tune is not simply about whether the technology is good or bad, but about how and why it is used.
Sonu Nigam’s Recent Work
Sonu Nigam recently lent his voice to “Tabassum” from Batwara 1947. The song has been composed by AR Rahman with lyrics by Javed Akhtar and features Ali Fazal, Isha Sandhir, Karan Deol and Kanikka Kapur.
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Batwara 1947 also stars Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta and Abhimanyu Singh. The film released theatrically on August 14, 2026.
Sonu’s comments add another perspective to the continuing conversation around auto-tune, reminding listeners that the technology itself is not necessarily the issue—the way it is used can make all the difference.
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