The Sing Off

Why do some singers sing perfectly on pitch in recorded versions of their songs but off pitch singing live?

I know they add a bunch of effects/distortions in the studio to make the song sound better, but that's not what I'm referring to. My question is about the singer's voice. How come some singers sound practically pitch perfect on the recorded version but sing off pitch on stage? Singing on pitch couldn't be faked, so if they did it once while recording why couldn't they do it again live?

Public Comments

1. A lot of mixing equipment and programs have pitch control, so they can control pitch defects in the singers voice. Plus there's the atmosphere to consider. When they sing live they may be running around, outside or in a big venue, where the acoustical properties are less than favorable... all of which has an effect on what you actually hear versus what comes out of their mouths. In a studio, they don't move around, are in a smaller space, and the sound is controlled in an optimal environment.
2. but all recorded voices are edited too.. like even on lidnsay lohans album she sounds great but do you reckon she can really sing live? hell no! they voices can be edited too to hit high or low notes.
3. their songs in the studio might be auto-tuned with or without their consent..
4. if you've ever heard Kenny Chesny or most rappers that try to sing, they are horrible live, without their "pitch correctors"
5. Honestly, aside from mixing and mastering and autotuning a record, when in studio, a person only sings by verses, generally, and then the song is put together- Meaning they can practice and sing a part of the song 20 times if they f-up at all. Celine sings in pitch. :)
6. Actually, good pitch can be "faked" in the recording studio, but there are some other factors, too. In a studio, singers on in a very controlled environment. They're standing still, in a climate controlled room, fully focused on the task at hand. But concerts are completely different. The singer is moving around (maybe even doing some complicated dancing), and that makes pitch more difficult to control. Plus, he or she may be nervous. Also, other sounds (audience, loud band, poor amplifier feedback) can interfere with his/her ability to hear him/herself. Vocal fatigue after a long tour and late nights can also be a factor. However, the very best singers should be able to sing on pitch night after night under most circumstances.