What audio artifact is caused by incorrect pitch correction, and how can it be avoided?

The audio artifact caused by incorrect pitch correction is often referred to as the "Auto-Tune effect" or "chipmunk effect", although those are somewhat colloquial terms. More technically, it's a form of quantization distortion characterized by unnatural, stepped pitch transitions and a lack of smooth, organic vocal movement. This artifact occurs when pitch correction software (like Auto-Tune or Melodyne) is used excessively or with inappropriate settings. The software forces the vocal performance to snap rigidly to the nearest perfect pitch, eliminating the subtle micro-intonation and natural vibrato that give a vocal its human quality and emotional expression. The result is a vocal that sounds robotic, artificial, and often exhibits audible glitches or artifacts as the software struggles to correct rapid or complex pitch variations. This happens most often when the retune speed (the speed at which the software corrects the pitch) is set too high, making the transitions between notes abrupt and unnatural. It can be avoided by using pitch correction software subtly and judiciously. Specifically: 1. Use a moderate retune speed to allow for smoother transitions. 2. Avoid forcing the vocal to snap perfectly to every note; allow for some natural variation. 3. Manually adjust individual notes when necessary, rather than relying solely on automatic correction. 4. Choose the correct key and scale for the vocal performance to ensure the software is targeting the appropriate pitches. 5. Be aware that some vocal styles benefit from very little pitch correction, and excessive use can ruin the performance. The goal is to enhance the vocal, not replace it with a robotic imitation.