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Vocoder

Articles

Create Rhythmic Synthesizers with the Vocoder by Joel Falconer

We often think of the vocoder as a device for effecting voices, but it’s a device that’s regularly used for a myriad of other purposes. In this tutorial, we teach you to use Reason’s BV512 Vocoder to create a rhythmic synthesizer.

Exploring Reason’s BV512 Vocoder by Sound On Sound

Let’s have a look at traditional vocoding before we get into some of the more unconventional uses for the BV512. A vocoder imposes the spectral ‘fingerprint’ of one sound onto another, so most vocoders require two audio inputs. The exception is if the vocoder has some kind of internal synth to generate one of the sources (Prosoniq’s Orange Vocoder is an example of this). As you’ll see later, Reason’s Combinator means you can build a device that operates in a similar way.

How to Process Loops & Phrases with BV512 Vocoder by Mo Volans

The BV512 Vocoder that is supplied with Reason is a really flexible virtual device capable of some really intelligible classic vocal effects. But it is just as usable when it comes to processing drum loops and musical phrases. Once you get your head around the routing, you can use the BV512 as a robotizer, comb filter and even for EQ. Here’s one way you can make it sing.

Vocoding with Drums by Matt Piper

Perhaps I should refer to what you’ll see in the following tutorial video as “drumcoding” instead of “vocoding,” since no human voice is actually used. Instead, the attack and timbre of an acoustic drum part are used to modulate a synthesizer sound. This has two very cool applications: One is to make a real acoustic drum part sound like an electronic drum part, while maintaining the natural human feel in regards to timing and dynamics (and requiring no painstaking drum programming!).

Vocoding with Guitar by Matt Piper

I have always been attracted to the sound of a vocoder. I remember the first time I heard “Let’s Groove” by Earth Wind & Fire, the first time I witnessed the shiny metal Cylons on the original Battlestar Galactica TV series, and the first time I heard “Mr. Roboto” by Styx. Although vocoding is a relatively old technology, it still seems like magic (and so much fun) every time I hear it – or especially when I see someone doing it.

Reason Vocoding 101 by Fredrik Hägglund

The very first thing you need to know about the concept of a vocoder, is this: It needs two sound sources to function. One carrier, one modulator. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it requires two separate Reason devices, however – but, more on that later. A good (albeit flawed) analogy would be to think of the carrier as the raw material, and the modulator as the mold; the Vocoder makes a cast of the modulator and pours the molten carrier into it. Here’s how it works.

Videos

How to Hook Up and Use A Vocoder by James Bernard

When James goes out to give Reason presentations and demos, he gets one question more often than anything else: “How do I hook up this very cool Vocoder that makes no sound when I try to use it?” Vocoders are neat but they don’t work the way we’re used to synths working at first glance. There are no oscillators or LFOs… there are instead Carriers and Modulators… bands… and other weirdness. But this week James breaks it all down simply and he’ll have you getting in touch with your inner-robot in no time!

Vocoding Micro Tutorial by Propellerhead Software

In this tutorial, we will learn how to hook up Reason’s vocoder to Record for use with a live audio input (aka robot singing). We’ll also learn how to put a vocoder on an existing audio recording.