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How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

irishtimes.com

1–10 of 18 posts

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#2
While I don't mean to make light of the effort and prestige behind earning a PhD, I can't be the only one who expected this article to be about how a medical doctor originally invented the technology behind AutoTune, possibly to help people who had trouble hearing certain types of audio.

Still an interesting background for the tech, mind you, but not what I was expecting from Dr. Andy Hildebrand (rather than Hildebrand, PhD).

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#3
Note than when surgeons were barbers, the Sorbonne was awarding PhD's....

Aside from the staggering memorization load in Med School, I would think the typical STEM PhD involves more work, and more creative work, than the MD. Certainly a lot more writing.

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#4
post #2

While I don't mean to make light of the effort and prestige behind earning a PhD, I can't be the only one who expected this article to be about how a medical doctor originally invented the technology behind AutoTune, possibly to help people who had trouble hearing certain types of audio. Still an interesting background for the tech, mind you, but not what I was expecting from Dr. Andy Hildebrand (rather than Hildebra…

That's interesting. I work with many PhDs and always refer to them as Dr so-and-so in formal settings or introductions. Most of the doctors I know aren't MDs.

I do see your point though. There are quite a few doctorate degrees, and even in the professional field they aren't all referred to as Doctor (take a DDS for instance, Doctor of Dental Surgery).

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#5
From the article: "There were other consequences from the adoption of Auto-Tune. Hildebrand tells the story of a music producer who jokes that once he used to look for good singers, now . . . it’s pretty faces."

This is the reason that a lot of recent popular commercial music is crap to my ears. A lot of the real talent is hidden by "cosmetic imperfections" and isn't suited for the mass marketing machine that desires pretty faces. If you go back before the modern era of digital manipulation, you'll be amazed at the vocal talent that is represented.

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#6
post #4
post #2

While I don't mean to make light of the effort and prestige behind earning a PhD, I can't be the only one who expected this article to be about how a medical doctor originally invented the technology behind AutoTune, possibly to help people who had trouble hearing certain types of audio. Still an interesting background for the tech, mind you, but not what I was expecting from Dr. Andy Hildebrand (rather than Hildebra…

That's interesting. I work with many PhDs and always refer to them as Dr so-and-so in formal settings or introductions. Most of the doctors I know aren't MDs. I do see your point though. There are quite a few doctorate degrees, and even in the professional field they aren't all referred to as Doctor (take a DDS for instance, Doctor of Dental Surgery).

I do too, when I'm speaking aloud. In my experience, though, when writing, the actual degree is listed(PhD, MD, EdD, JD, DDS, etc.), rather than the more generic "doctor".

edit: Just checked; the AP and Reuters style guides both seem to recommond only using Dr for Medical Doctors. That's probably where my memory comes from.

http://www.sandiego.edu/web/pdf/brief_ap_style.pdf http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/D#doctor

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#7
post #6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's interesting. I work with many PhDs and always refer to them as Dr so-and-so in formal settings or introductions. Most of the doctors I know aren't MDs. I do see your point though. There are quite a few doctorate degrees, and even in the professional field they aren't all referred to as Doctor (take a DDS for instance, Doctor of Dental Surgery).

I do too, when I'm speaking aloud. In my experience, though, when writing, the actual degree is listed(PhD, MD, EdD, JD, DDS, etc.), rather than the more generic "doctor". edit: Just checked; the AP and Reuters style guides both seem to recommond only using Dr for Medical Doctors. That's probably where my memory comes from. http://www.sandiego.edu/web/pdf/brief_ap_style.pdf http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/D#doc…

My mistake, apologies. PhD would have made more sense.

I thought the guy's background was interesting. It shows the utility of software/computing for solving such diverse problems as oil exploration and poor pitch using similar techniques. I find that amazing.

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#9
post #6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's interesting. I work with many PhDs and always refer to them as Dr so-and-so in formal settings or introductions. Most of the doctors I know aren't MDs. I do see your point though. There are quite a few doctorate degrees, and even in the professional field they aren't all referred to as Doctor (take a DDS for instance, Doctor of Dental Surgery).

I do too, when I'm speaking aloud. In my experience, though, when writing, the actual degree is listed(PhD, MD, EdD, JD, DDS, etc.), rather than the more generic "doctor". edit: Just checked; the AP and Reuters style guides both seem to recommond only using Dr for Medical Doctors. That's probably where my memory comes from. http://www.sandiego.edu/web/pdf/brief_ap_style.pdf http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/D#doc…

FWIW, in the US JDs do not use the title of Doctor.

Re: How Dr Andy Hildebrand invented AutoTune

#10
post #3

Note than when surgeons were barbers, the Sorbonne was awarding PhD's.... Aside from the staggering memorization load in Med School, I would think the typical STEM PhD involves more work, and more creative work, than the MD. Certainly a lot more writing.

My understanding is that it's common for PhDs to feel they worked harder to get their degree than MDs, and MDs laugh at this.

Don't forget that earning the degree only gets you half way to being a practicing doctor. It's a little like the difference between the police and the military, maybe.

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