How to use the SFP Vocoder-III ?

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Spirit
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Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2001 4:00 pm
Location: Terra Australis

Post by Spirit »

I've never used a vocoder, so booted up the included Vocoder-III in SFP 4. Trouble is I can't figure out how to get it working, nor is there any manual for it on the CWA site.

I've plugged a mic feed into the "A" input and a mono synth into the "S" input. Is that right ?

I'm getting signal into the Vocoder via the mic because I can see the left-side VU responding, but I can't get any sound out of it at all. Nothing.

Am I plugging the rights things in to the right spot ? I've really no idea what I'm doing.

Any thoughts appreciated.
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astroman
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Post by astroman »

the mic is only 'open' when the synth is playing midi notes - kind of gate behaviour.
In one version there seemed to be a bug (not sure if it applies here), so you had to insert something into the audio 'slot' to get the engine going and skip the muting.
A compressor with linear setting or an open filter do the trick for example.

cheers, Tom
H-Rave
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Post by H-Rave »

If You Look under ?,manual,chapters,effects,vocoder III on your computer you may find the instructions
dubcotics
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Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 4:00 pm

Post by dubcotics »

posted by H-RAVE
If You Look under ?,manual,chapters,effects,vocoder III on your computer you may find the instructions,

wrong!! I've read the manual but it does not work for me either, I've had it for two years, still haven't used it,

It would gratefull if you explained it us with some illustrations,

cheers,

didier
djmicron
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Post by djmicron »

it's simple as using a real vocoder.

Connect a synth line (a played synth or an audio source) to the s in and a vocal line to the a in, connect the midi input of the vocoder to the midi source.
Play the synth line and the vocal line and play a midi sequence to control the vocoder and the result should be the vocal line with the same timbre of the synth.
ChampionSound
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Location: Netherlands

Post by ChampionSound »

@ Spirit

I just tried it, and it works fine here. You did everything right, but the only thing you didn't do or at least didn't describe in your post, is to connect the midi source (from your sequencer or masterkeyboard) to the midi input of the Vocoder III. Just like djmicron said.
Without this midi input you'll hear no sound!

Good luck,

Darce
Spirit
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Location: Terra Australis

Post by Spirit »

Thanks ChampionSound & everyone else, it works ! :smile:

Lots of fun, but quite murky. Is there an acknowledged 'best sound' to use with vocoders for a clearly recognisable voice ?
ChampionSound
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Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:00 pm
Location: Netherlands

Post by ChampionSound »

Spirit, I totally agree with you. In the short time that I played with the vocoder III, I noticed that it's very, very hard to distinguish the words in the vocoder sound. It sounds very grainy and harsh.
I'll play with it some more soon, to try to get the best out of it.

Mayby CWA realised the quality of this device and therefore lauched the Vocodizer as well? :razz:

cheers, Darce
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