The auto-tune controversy

Musicians can benefit from a number of cheats and production tricks both in the recording studio and on stage.

But one in particular - Auto-Tune - has proved highly controversial, especially after it was used to disguise errors on TV singing competition The X Factor.

Steve Crosby, the man behind pop group Steps, said the technology can realign a person's voice to the right frequency when it is a little out of tune.

Speaking to the Mirror, he stated that it is usually impossible to notice that Auto-Tune is being used by a singer.

However, he said it was very noticeable on this weekend's X Factor show, because some of the singers were quite a long way off the notes they were aiming for.

"If it's genuinely a singing competition, Auto-Tune shouldn't have any place," Mr Crosby commented.

An X Factor spokesman told BBC News that the decisions made by judges are based solely on what they hear live in the arena.

He added that the footage and sound is subsequently edited to deliver "the most entertaining experience possible" for viewers.

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