hey guys
what do I use to get that classic 80’s robot voice. Used by guys like Afrika Bambatta.
Rock rock to the planet rock
don’t stop
People have suggested the Boss Vt1 Voice transformer (ithinkthat what it’scalled) But the damn thing is around $300 and that’s ALL it does.
get a microkorg.
buy a robot…
For a while, Alesis was making a series of effects boxes called ModFX. The series included a vocoder they called MetaVox. Due to poor sales, Alesis eventually dumped the entire series and music stores were blowing them out for $30 each - a steal considering they originally went for $125. You might still be able to find one, or pick up a second-hand unit for next to nothing.
Greg
Electrix Warp Factory?
Go to any large toy store, especially around Halloween. They all have “voice changer” boxes that sell for $10 or less. These all have a “robot voice” function and work great for this.
If you want to improve the quality, replace their microphone with a jack and use a good microphone. Take out their speaker and send the signal directly to your mixer.
The above points to a “Sound like a Dalek” project. I’m sure you could get something similar from Radio Shack.
I’d get an Electrix Warp Factory, use the vocoder in Reason, use NI’s Vokator, Prosoniq’s Orange Vocoder, or if you want to go all out, you can buy a PAiA 6710 Vocoder and build it. The Warp Factrory, Reason or Vokator are probably easiest. I actually own all of these and the Warp Factory has the easiest set up, but not necessarily the best sound. It comes with a “robot voice” button that you can press and go.
If you didn’t want to use software crap, digital garbage, or toys, you could always buy an ACTUAL vocoder, like a Roland SVC-350.
Or a Korg VC-10…
Well,
He said he didn’t want to spend $300 so the best alternatives for low cost are the Warp Factory, NI’s Vokator, or the vocoder in Reason. Never tried the Micro Korg’s so that may be an option that gives you more than just a vocoder. If you want a big boy, why not get the Moog vocoder?
Here’s a link for a VC-10 on Ebay right now:
It’s $900 BTW…
I think they used the Roland SVC-350 or VP-330 for “Planet Rock” - good luck & enjoy !!
hey guys thanks mucho for the suggestions. I actually bought an alesis micron and I didn’t even realize that it has a vocoder! so, problem solved. It needs some serious tweaking but I think I may have found what I’m looking for. Also, I’m considering buying pro-tools (after I actually get a computer) and it comes with a version of REASON. I wonder if that verson has the vocoder of it’s just drums.
thanks again
Brent
Moog Rogue Master
You could always buy Logic Pro (if you are considering getting a Mac), as this features a very good vocoder.
I dunno, Planet Rock, to me, always sounded like it was through a flanger or delay with a REALLY short delay and a bit of feedback. It just sounded too metallic for a regular vocoder… As for current ones, digital ones are fairly plenty: Korg MS2000, MicroKorg, Nord MicroModular (all of which I have and recommend, also). Or if you want to go analog (and modular), Doepfer make a rack full of modules you can turn into a vocoder system (and are designed for this purpose). As always, EXPERIMENT! It might just be that all you need is a wacked-out flanger for the sound you need!
-andrew bunny
It was definitely a vocoder - like I said hereabove I think I did read it was one of the classic Roland vocoders.
I had a Korg VC-10. It looks cool but is very limited when you want clear robo-vocals.
Today I use a Music And More VF-11 vocoder. Not so sexy to look at but sounds good and it as 11 bands that can be tuned.
More info:
http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html
Regards
Demokid
I just bought a Korg Radias that has an excellent Vocoder in it - but the Warp Factory would likely be your cheapest module for a decent sound.