"Everything else about pop music is highly synthesized and scientifically produced. Why not the vocals?"
I sense you think this is a bad thing... Are cars made by hand any more? Does being made by robots make a car any less fantastic?
I sense you think this is a bad thing... Are cars made by hand any more? Does being made by robots make a car any less fantastic?
The difference though is that a car is a physical object produced by a persons talent. A vocal track is (in spirit at least) something produced directly, or a direct output of the vocalist. Part of the mystique is supposed to be the fact that not everyone can carry a perfect tune. Except than when you apply too much technology post-processing, you eliminate the exclusivity (and garbage up the track at the same time).
I just think it's strange to apply inconsistent standards to the same genre. It's ok that the music is precision-engineered on a computer, but not the vocals? Have it one way or the other.