TikTok is a rapidly growing social media platform for creating and sharing short videos. According to Backlinko, TikTok had 150 million monthly active users in the U.S. as of February 2023 and 1 billion monthly active users globally. The app allows users to record and edit 15 to 60 second videos set to music or other audio clips.
One of the most popular features on TikTok are its voice filters and effects that alter the pitch, tone, or sound of a user’s voice. TikTok offers a wide variety of built-in voice effects, from robot voices to helium voices that raise pitch. There are also third-party effects created by other TikTok users that can be downloaded.
This article focuses on one specific viral voice filter that became extremely popular for its strange and weird effects of lowering pitch and distorting the tone in odd ways. Often referred to simply as the “weird voice filter,” it became a trending effect used in memes, dances, lip-syncs, and more.
What is the Weird Voice Filter?
The official name of the viral TikTok filter is the “Trickster” voice effect. It uses audio processing technology to alter the pitch and tone of a user’s voice in real time, making it sound squeaky, cartoonish and distorted. When applied during recording, the Trickster effect can make someone’s ordinary speaking voice take on a ridiculous, comical quality.
The TikTok voice filter works by detecting and shifting the frequency and resonance of the original voice input. It adds fluctuation and warbling effects, making voices crackly and animated as if they were coming out of a faulty speaker. Voices run up and down the octaves seemingly at random, and background distortion is also added to further transform the sound.
Examples of the Trickster effect in action include making grown men sound like chipmunks, turning eloquent narration into gobbledegook, and adding a helium-like quality to serious statements. The end result is always a silly, modulated version of the original voice that comes across as weird, wacky and humorous.
Origins of the Filter
The weird voice filter first appeared on TikTok in October 2022. It was one of several new audio effects introduced by TikTok that month as part of an update that allowed users more creativity and options for modifying their voices in videos.
According to an article on Distractify, “The update comes with the addition of Voice Effects, a series of different auto-tune and modulation effects that can completely transform your voice.” [1]
The weird voice filter in particular seemed designed to produce strange and comedic effects, distorting the voice in an exaggerated, cartoonish way. With its warbling, high-pitched sound, the filter created a viral trend on TikTok for users to showcase just how bizarre it could make their voices sound.
[1] https://www.distractify.com/p/tiktok-voice-changer
Popularity and Early Viral Uses
The weird voice filter, also known as the trickster filter, first gained major popularity on TikTok in late 2020. While TikTok had offered voice effects previously, this specific warped and wobbly voice filter stood out for creating a signature sound that was different from anything else on the platform.
The filter went hugely viral after TikTok user @taylorswift used it in a video where she dueted herself singing in a normal voice and then with the weird voice effect. The video quickly amassed over 5 million likes. Other top early uses that propelled the filter into the mainstream included beauty influencer @jamescharles modulating his makeup tutorial videos with the voice and comedian @larray recording a rap song with the signature sound.
The appeal was in the filter’s ability to make otherwise normal videos quirky and weird. Soon, the weird voice filter became a trend itself, with creators making compilation videos showcasing the best and funniest uses of the effect. This early viral popularity cemented the filter’s status as a staple sound on TikTok.
Source: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/funny-voice-effect?lang=en
Creative Uses and Trends
The weird voice filter on TikTok has inspired all kinds of creative video trends and memes. People use the distorted audio effect in funny lip-syncing videos, comedic sketches, movie parodies, and more. The filter’s strange warbling voice pairs perfectly with absurd humor and over-the-top acting in short videos.
Some of the most popular memes involve using the filter to lip-sync ridiculous or nonsensical songs. For example, videos of people lip-syncing to a heavy autotuned “bee bee boo boo” song took off across TikTok. Other trends involve lip-syncing emotional songs in an over-dramatic way with the warbly filter voice.
The voice effect also commonly appears in videos where people pretend to be creepy creatures talking to the camera in the distorted voice. Sketches of ‘monsters under the bed’ and bizarre aliens use the filter for a humorous, weird vibe. Additionally, users apply the voice effect when acting out parody versions of movie or TV show scenes for comedic effect.
Overall, the strange voice filter enables TikTok users to create funny, viral videos by enhancing the weirdness and absurdity of different situations. The wacky audio pairs well with the app’s bite-sized videos focused on humor, parody, and meme culture.
Criticism and Controversies
The Trickster voice filter has faced criticism and backlash for being overused or misused on TikTok. Many users have complained about the prevalence of videos using the distorted voice effect, finding it excessive or annoying when constantly hearing it.
Some feel the filter is being applied inappropriately, distracting from video content or undermining more serious subject matter. There are concerns it is being used for shock value or cheap laughs rather than creatively enhancing videos.
One Reddit user complained “I feel like there has has to be a reason considering about 40% of the videos I see on tiktok are using this voice filter.” [1] Others have pleaded for people to use the filter less or more selectively.
Some users say constantly hearing the distorted voice causes headaches or sensory issues. There is debate around whether overusing filters like this represents low effort content.
While clearly popular, the prevalence of the Trickster filter has sparked critiques that it is being adopted as a trend simply for attention, rather than for substantive creative reasons. Concerns remain about oversaturation diluting the novelty or impact of the effect.
Impact on Culture
The weird voice filter has had a significant impact on internet and TikTok culture. One of the main ways it has shaped TikTok culture is by enabling users to experiment with alternate voices and personas in a creative way [1]. Videos using the filter often go viral, contributing catchphrases, vocal trends, and memes to the platform [2]. It has become an integral part of TikTok’s “weird and wacky” subculture.
The filter has also impacted how people, especially younger generations, communicate and perceive voices. It has normalized the manipulation of voice and opened up creative possibilities for audio expression. However, some criticize it for promoting unrealistic vocal expectations and beauty standards [3].
Evolution of the Filter
The weird voice filter on TikTok has gone through several iterations and changes since it was first introduced. The original filter used basic pitch and tone modulation to create the signature high-pitched “chipmunk” effect. As new versions of the filter were released, TikTok added more controls and options for users to customize the sound effect.
In 2020, TikTok introduced a major update that allowed users to adjust the filter’s pitch, tone, echo, and robotic effect. This gave creators far more flexibility when using the filter for comedic or musical purposes. Users could make subtle tweaks for a unique sound or push the settings to more extreme lengths. The update also improved the audio quality and smoothed out the distortions.
Compared to the original static filter, the newer generations of the weird voice give users more creative freedom. While the core “chipmunk” effect remains iconic, TikTok has allowed the weird voice to evolve from a viral novelty into a versatile creative tool. As per this video, the filter continues to be updated, keeping it relevant across generations of users.
Future Outlook
Many speculate that the weird voice filter will continue to evolve and be used in new viral trends on TikTok. Some technologists predict the voice effects could become even more advanced using AI, with the ability to perfectly mimic any voice or accent (Reddit discussion). This could open up new creative possibilities, but also raises concerns around deepfakes and misinformation.
As for cultural relevance, it seems likely the weird voice filter will remain popular, but may fade in and out of trending status. Some analysts think elements of the accent created by the filter could make their way into youth slang and speech patterns, similar to how previous internet cultures have shaped language (BBC article). But it’s difficult to predict long-term impacts. Ultimately, the weird voice filter provides entertainment and allows self-expression, which will continue engaging users even if specific viral trends come and go.
Conclusion
In summary, the weird voice filter on TikTok has had a significant cultural impact. It originated from a viral meme in 2019 showcasing the distorted voices, sparking a wave of videos using the filter for comedic effect. The filter’s popularity continued to grow as it was used creatively in sketches, songs, challenges, and more. Some controversies emerged around potential misuse of the filter or promotion of harmful stereotypes. Overall, the weird voice filter has evolved with TikTok over the past few years and contributed to shaping online culture and trends. Its future impact remains to be seen.
The weird voice filter on TikTok provides an interesting case study of how a simple audio effect can take on a life of its own online. While it may seem like just a silly meme, the filter has had real influence in setting viral trends and spreading catchphrases. However, it has also faced valid criticism around promoting negative stereotypes or exclusion of minority groups. As with any technology, the cultural impact depends on how people choose to utilize it. But the weird voice filter’s rapid ascent from obscurity to online ubiquity is a testament to the unpredictable viral nature of platforms like TikTok.
