Marianne Martinez
Vocoders are audio processing effects that can be used to change how your voice sounds. They are often used to create robot vocals, but can also be used to generate a wide variety of effects. Vocoders work by encoding and decoding the human voice, and then running the vocal track through a synth, which modulates the sound and creates a unique vocal tone. To pan a vocoder, you first have to assign the vocal to a bus in the mixer and then pan it to the left, then assign a synth to another bus and pan it to the right. You can then draw chords in the synth and place the pattern below the vocal to use the vocoder. There are also plugins with built-in vocoders that can be used by loading the plugin on the same bus as the vocal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to pan vocoder | Assign the vocal to a bus in the mixer and pan it to the left, then assign a synth to another bus and pan it to the right |
| How vocoder works | It changes how your voice sounds by running your vocal track through the vocoder |
| How many bands to use | There is no right or wrong answer. More bands will give a more realistic sound |
| How to change the tone | Change the formant to change the fundamental frequency of each band |
| How to adjust the balance | Most vocoders let you set the balance between the original and the modulated signal |
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What You'll Learn
Assign vocal to a bus in the mixer and pan it to the left
A bus on a mixer is a track that allows you to group multiple tracks into one channel and process them together. This is called a subgroup, and it helps to create a hierarchy in your mix, making it easier to identify and correct any issues. For example, you can group similar instruments together, such as drums, synths, vocals, guitars, and keyboards. This way, you can adjust the levels and apply effects to the entire group of instruments through a single channel.
To assign vocals to a bus in the mixer and pan them to the left, you can follow these steps:
- Create a vocal bus: Start by creating a dedicated bus specifically for your vocal tracks. This will be the channel through which you can control and process your vocal tracks collectively.
- Route vocal tracks to the vocal bus: Once you have created the vocal bus, route all your vocal tracks to this bus. This means that any adjustments or effects applied to the vocal bus will affect all the vocal tracks routed through it.
- Adjust levels and gain: Before applying any effects, ensure that the levels of your vocal tracks are properly balanced. Use the vocal bus fader to adjust the overall level of the combined vocals. If you need more precise control, consider using a gain plugin on individual tracks to bring down the levels before they feed into the vocal bus.
- Apply EQ and filters: To enhance the sound of your vocals, you can apply EQ settings and filters to the vocal bus. Consider using a high pass filter around 80Hz and a low pass filter at 20kHz to clean up the vocal sound by removing any unwanted low-end noise or rumble.
- Use compression: Compression can help bring all the vocals together and make them fit better in the context of the entire mix. Apply a light compression setting, such as a 2:1 ratio, with a fast attack time (3ms or 10ms) and an auto-release. Adjust the threshold to achieve a maximum of 1-2dB of gain reduction.
- Pan the vocal bus to the left: Finally, to pan the vocal bus to the left, adjust the pan settings on the vocal bus channel. This will move the vocal tracks grouped under the vocal bus to the left in the stereo field.
By following these steps, you can effectively assign vocals to a bus in the mixer and pan them to the left, allowing you to create a balanced and cohesive sound for your vocal tracks while taking advantage of the flexibility and organizational benefits that bus routing provides in your mix.
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Assign a synth to another bus and pan it to the right
Panning synths is a great way to create space in your mix and add depth to your music. There are a few ways to approach this, depending on your preferences and the DAW you are using.
One common method is to create two copies of your synth track and pan one hard left and the other hard right. This will give you a wide stereo image with the synth in the centre. You can then assign these tracks to a single bus and apply effects such as compression or reverb to create cohesion. This technique is especially useful if you feel that a single synth track in the centre of your mix leaves no room for other elements. By panning the two copies to opposite sides, you create a sense of space while still maintaining a strong presence in the centre.
Another approach is to utilise bus layering. This involves routing multiple synth tracks into a bus channel, allowing you to process them simultaneously. You can then pan this bus to the right, placing all the synth tracks in the right stereo field. This method provides a quick and efficient way to control the positioning and effects of multiple synth tracks with a single channel.
Additionally, you can experiment with send and return effects. Create a bus specifically for effects like reverb and delay, and send a portion of your synth track to this bus. By doing so, you can add depth and create the illusion of space, making it seem like the synth is further back or closer to the listener. Adjust the send volume to control the amount of effect applied.
It's important to remember that panning is just one tool at your disposal, alongside volume, EQ, and effects. Combining these elements effectively will help you create a well-balanced and immersive mix.
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Use a plugin with a built-in vocoder
Using a plugin with a built-in vocoder is a great way to get started with vocoding, as it allows you to experiment with voice encoding without a financial commitment. There are many vocoder plugins available, from free options to premium choices, each offering unique features and capabilities.
TAL-Vocoder is a popular free option that captures the essence of vintage analog vocoders. It includes both carrier synth and modulator inputs, allowing for flexible signal routing and diverse sound generation. Its 11-band processing effectively reproduces the classic vocoder sound, and its user-friendly interface makes it ideal for beginners.
For those seeking a more advanced option, Arturia Vocoder V is a powerful plugin that faithfully recreates the legendary Moog-designed vocoder from the 1970s. It features a 16-band filter bank for realistic vocal reproduction and a super fat integrated synthesizer for an authentic vintage tone. The Arturia Vocoder V also includes a comprehensive modulation matrix, allowing you to animate the vocoded sound with rhythmic patterns, sweeps, and more.
Another option is the XILS 201 Vocoder, a high-fidelity emulation of a classic hardware vocoder known for its exceptional clarity and precision. This plugin includes a dual oscillator for each of the carrier and modulator sections, enriching the sound source with vibrant, complex textures. It also features a built-in synth and sequencer, making it a powerful musical instrument in its own right.
If you're looking for something more affordable, Morphoder is one of the cheaper options available. While it may not have the most advanced features or sound great, it gets the job done. It includes a 5-band linear phase EQ built-in, making sound sculpting more convenient.
Finally, for users of FL Studio, Vocodex is a reliable built-in effect that can create a hollow sound compared to other standard vocoders.
These are just a few examples of vocoder plugins available, each offering its own unique features and capabilities. With so many options, selecting the right plugin can be overwhelming, but it allows producers and musicians to find the perfect tool to create their desired sound.
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Change the formant to adjust the fundamental frequency of each band
Vocoders are a special type of synthesizer that changes how your voice sounds. The human voice is made up of sounds generated by the vocal cords and then filtered by movements in the nose, mouth and throat to create the wide variety of sounds used in speech.
Vocoders work by splitting audio into different frequency bands. Each band measures the frequency content of the sound in real time. The more bands, the more realistic the vocoder will sound. The number of bands is referred to as the vocoder's overall resolution. A lower number of bands (4 to 6) delivers a vintage sound, while a higher number (above 16) offers more detail.
Each band of frequencies is analysed and its level is "stored". The carrier signal will then copy each frequency band and its level. The carrier signal is usually a synth, but other options include a distorted guitar or orchestral timbres. The sound of the synth is modulated by the vocal, creating a unique vocal tone.
The modulator is the signal that activates the vocoder's envelope followers, each of which controls a single filter band. The modulator signal is typically a vocal, but can be any type of audio signal. When you speak into a connected microphone, these envelopes open and close different filters, shaping the tone of the carrier's signal.
By changing the formant, you can adjust the fundamental frequency of each band. This means you can make the voice sound higher or deeper without changing the pitch. To create a high-pitched and nasal vocal sound, turn the formant up. To create a bassier tone, turn the formants down.
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$91.42
Mix a vocoded signal with the original
Vocoders are a special type of synthesizer that changes how your voice sounds. The vocal track is fed into the synth, resulting in the synth being modulated by the vocal, creating a unique vocal tone. The vocoder will run the vocal through bandpass filters, and each band of frequencies is analysed and stored. The carrier signal will then copy each frequency band and its level.
The term vocoder is a portmanteau of "voice encoder", a device originally developed by Bell Labs as part of a military device used for scrambling and encoding voiced messages during World War II. A vocoder usually consists of a transmitting, analysis part and a receiving, re-synthesis part. The signal input into the vocoder analyzer is called a modulator, and the signal modulated in the re-synthesis part is called a carrier. The modulator signal is typically a vocal, but can be any type of audio signal. The carrier signal is a synth that recreates the sound based on the audio input.
The Softube Vocoder is an audio effect designed to be controlled via a MIDI keyboard or by entering basic pitch information via the on-screen keyboard. The Softube Vocoder listens to all MIDI channels at once. The audio fed through the vocoder will be interpreted as the modulation signal, while the carrier signal, the carrier synth sound source, is built into the plugin. The unvoiced section of the Softube Vocoder reacts to and synthesizes high-frequency plosive sounds such as "s", "t", "r", and "th". The sensitivity knob controls the behaviour of the high-frequency filter and gate, while the volume knob sets the mix level of the synthesized noise that replaces the unvoiced parts in your speech.
In a classic configuration, the vocoder's filters are applied to a bright synth patch (such as strings), while the incoming signal (usually a vocal) stimulates the envelope followers, which raise and lower the volume of their associated frequency band. The characteristics of the human voice control the behaviour of the filters that are processing the synth. Knowing how the carrier and modulator relate to vocoding is the crucial first step in understanding how the processing works. The carrier is the signal that is processed by the vocoder, and the modulator is the signal that activates the vocoder's envelope followers, each of which controls a single filter band.
To mix a vocoded signal with the original, you can use the dry/wet mix control to blend the processed and unprocessed signals. This can add colour to the original sound. Auditioning the vocoder with the dry/wet control set to 100% wet can give you an idea of how the vocoder sounds, but in the end, you will likely use a mixture of dry and wet signals. The dry/wet knob taps the processed modulator, not the pre-effects modulator used for the carrier, so any effects placed before the vocoder will apply only to the modulator. Fully wet mixes work best for frequency-based effects.
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Frequently asked questions
To pan a vocoder, first assign the vocal to a bus in the mixer and pan it to the left. Next, assign a synth to another bus and pan it to the right. Then, select the modulator to the left and the carrier to the right.
A vocoder is a special type of synthesizer that changes how your voice sounds. By running your vocal track through the vocoder, you can make it sound more robotic.
Vocoders have a wide variety of uses and effects beyond just creating "robot vocals". You can use a vocoder to make harmonies for a vocal without having to record them or add a bassline that fits the voice better than a simple bassline. You can also mix a vocoded signal with the original to create subtle effects.
