Comparisons

Whole Song Comparison and Preferred Rendition

Recall that for the whole song comparison, we analyzed each singer using four metrics: how many vibrato clusters were present, the pitch range, whether they used autotune, and the presence of belting. As detailed in our methodology, we favor singers who exhibit a greater number of vibrato clusters, a wider pitch range, no use of autotune, and proficiency in belting.  Below I have included a table where you can easily compare the metric data across the singers:

Comparing across the four techniques, Demi Lovato comes out as the favored rendition, as she has a specific advantage in one category (pitch range) while no other singer has an advantage in the other remaining three.

Autotune and belting: Across two metrics (autotune and belting), all five singers are similar, as none of them used autotune and all utilized belting in their renditions. On these two, no singer has a specific advantage.

Pitch range: As our methodology stated, we prefer singers with a greater pitch range. Lady Gaga, while utilizing a good pitch range (354.01 Hz), falls well behind the other four singers. Ross, Houston, Carey, and Lovato were all able to reach over 1000 Hz at their highest pitch point, showcasing remarkable vocal prowess that was discernible from simply hearing their renditions. 

Of the four singers, Lovato had the highest range (specifically 1210.5 Hz), which was more than 200 Hz higher than the ranges exhibited by Carey and Houston (944.4 Hz and 933.5 Hz, respectively). Diana Ross's range was slightly lower, at 788 Hz. Given this, Demi Lovato surpasses the other singers in this category given her vocal range was the highest. As Cameron stated in his analysis, this is a testament to Lovato's exceptional vocal control and sustained use of both high and low pitches throughout her rendition.

Use of vibrato: As our methodology stated, we prefer singers who exhibit greater instances of vibrato use. All five singers employed vibrato extensively. However, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato utilize a far greater amount of vibrato in their renditions than the other three singers, each with 35 noticeable instances. Carey used it 10 times in her rendition, while we discerned 18 and 19 instances of vibrato for Ross and Houston, respectively. In this category, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato are tied, as both utilized the technique an equal number of times. 

"Rockets' Red Glare" Comparison and Preferred Rendition

Recall that for the Rockets' Red Glare comparison, we analyzed each singer using four metrics: pitch interruption, presence of vibrato, presence of singer's formant, and consonant intelligibility. As detailed in our methodology, we favor singers who exhibit less pitch interruption, stronger use of vibrato, moderate to strong singer's formant, and clear consonant intelligibility. Above we have included a table where you can easily compare the metric data across the singers.

Comparing the four techniques, we have a tie between Diana Ross and Whitney Houston, as both singers prevail in three categories (pitch interruption, singer's formant, and consonant intelligibility), while Demi Lovato only had an advantage in two. The other two singers have no advantage in a category. 

Pitch Interruption: as stated in our methodology, pitch interruptions (specifically abrupt changes, vocal cracks, and inconsistencies in pitch) will be generally viewed as a negative. In this category, both Diana Ross and Whitney Houston prevail. Both of their renditions were marked by subtle increases in their pitch, but none exhibited interruptions, cracks, or inconsistencies in analyzing the spectrogram or in hearing the five words. However, the other three had certain characteristics that detracted from their quality in this category: Mariah Carey had two minor instances of interruption (at the 48.98 and 57.03 second points), Lady Gaga had three minor pitch interruptions, and Lovato's is relatively smooth but contained a few obstruent consonants.

Presence of vibrato: as stated in our methodology, we will prefer singers who utilize a strong use of vibrato. In this category, Demi Lovato prevails, as not only did she utilize heavy vibrato, but she was also able to use it consistently throughout the five words. Three singers (Ross, Gaga, and Houston) exhibited moderate to strong use vibrato (thus not as strong as Lovato's), while Carey had use of vibrato but it was only evident in two instances (while Lovato used it more conistently). 

Singer's Formant: as stated in our methodology, we prefer singers who utilize a stronger use of formant in this phrase. In this category, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston prevail once again as both utilized strong use of formant as evident in their FFT. The other singers either utilized moderate or moderate to strong formant, thus not as evident as Ross and Houston.

Consonant Intelligibility: as stated in our methodology, we prefer singers who have high consonant intelligibility. In this category, Ross, Houston, and Lovato all do equally well, as each has smooth tone and enunciates each of the five words. The other two singers (Gaga and Carey) had noticeable instances that detracted from their quality in this category. For Gaga, this was apparent when she sung "glare," where the consonants were not as articulated in comparison to the other words. As stated in the table, Carey had less intelligible consonants and instead focused on understressing her tones.