"Not Live"
is an article by Teresa Wiltz and Greg Kot that sheds light on the trendy use of pre-recorded sound, backtracks, and electronic upgrades by artists during live performances.
According to Wiltz and Kot (1998)
, lip-syncing and pre-recorded voices replaced the beautiful live music concerts that were popular with the singers (1).It is clear that artists prefer the above phenomenon to amuse their viewers. The new equipment used in roadshows and live events is advanced; thus, it is easy to convert sour notes into sweet ones before touching the audience's ears (Wiltz and Kot 1).
Live music, however, is no longer successful.
One may mistake a performer with less talent as the best singer ever due to the use of backing tracks and recorded vocals before a live audience. For example, performers on stage can be dancing, buffing, and huffing whereas the CD produces the perfect sound (Wiltz and Kot 1).
In my view, it does not matter as long as the performance is good. Additionally, the singers are interested in marketing their songs and satisfying the audience. The costumes, choreography as well as the general appearance of the performers are what promotes the song and not the voice. Thus, people would probably buy the songs based on what they have seen during a live performance.
In the current digital era, the use of electronic enhancements increases resulting in hybrid music intertwined with technology. Nowadays, it is hard to single out a live concert from Memorex. However, in my view, the use of technology is good because it was intended to improve things. More so, the audience has high expectations when they attend live concerts. Hence, the need for the singers to use the available technology to meet the expectations of the public (Wiltz and Kot 1). However, other musicians use backing tracks on stage to add fuller layers of sounds to their songs.
On the contrary, it is impossible for a singer to sing with the right vocals while dancing in the middle of a performance.
One requires a helping hand. Despite the fact that it is unjustifiable, I think it is not a necessity. If a live concert had any enhancements, pre-recorded vocals or backing tracks, it would make no difference with recorded music. Thus, off key sounds should not be auto corrected because it has to be a real voice and the singers would be lazy on stage. If the musicians need to perform excellently before a live audience, then they ought to find a way of incorporating their choreographies and dance moves with perfect vocals but not using prerecorded sounds.
Conclusion
To wrap up, it is evident that few singers can survive, without the use of prerecorded sounds and backing tracks while on live performance. Additionally, less talented singers can be disadvantaged in performance without computer enhancements since they act as a helping hand in delivering the best to the audience. In my view, there is no harm on the use of the techniques mentioned above owing to the fact that the bottom line is the sales of the music. However, live performances should be actual, and the use of prerecorded sounds, as well as vocal enhancements, is not just in that. More so, many people prefer a live performance with actual vocals.
Work cited
Wiltz, Teresa and Greg Kot. Not Live. Chicago Tribune, 1998.
