Vocoder

The Vocoder FX imprints the spectral shape of one signal (the modulator, classically a voice) onto another (the carrier, classically a synth), producing the iconic robotic talking-synthesizer sound.

Vocoder Properties#

• Bands: The number of filter bands. More bands give sharper formant tracking but use more CPU; fewer bands give a softer, more retro sound.
• Attack: The per-band envelope-follower attack time. Shorter values are more responsive to transients, giving sharper consonants; longer values give smoother formants.
• Release: The per-band envelope-follower release time. Shorter values are drier; with longer values, the imprinted formants ring out after the modulator stops.
• Formant Shift: Pitch-shifts the carrier-side band centers relative to the modulator. Positive values give a helium voice, negative values a Cookie Monster voice, and 0 keeps the carrier and modulator banks aligned.
• Mod. Gain: Pre-gain on the modulator (external input) before the analysis filter bank. Boost a quiet modulator to give the envelope followers something to track.
• Noise: Blends pink noise into the carrier signal to help make breathy or sibilant sounds come through more clearly.