Making Music
  Computer Music Software and Hardware

Mix 'n' match

Not all vocoded effects have to be in yer face. Many intriguing and subtle effects can be created by mixing a vocoded signal with the original. Most vocoders let you set the balance between the original and the modulated signal, but if yours can't do this, it's usually easy enough to save the processed version, import it into your sequencer and adjust the balance between the two in the mixer.

Try delaying the processed version a little to create a soft echo. Also, try panning the original and the processed signals to opposite sides of the stereo field. Take this a stage further: create several copies of the processed signal, delay each one and place them at difference pan positions to create a ghostly echo that pans around the stereo field.

You don't have to vocode every sound in a track. Here's an idea that may be easiest done with a drum track but it will work with vocals and other tracks, too. Cut out of a track specific sounds and place them on their own track. On a drum track it could be the hi hats or snare; with vocals it could be certain words or phrases. Now you can process just those parts of a sound. In many ways this can be more exciting than processing the entire track as the listener will be waiting for the section of music to come around that contains the 'strange' sound.

Combine the last two techniques. Create a processed version of individual drum hits or words, delay it a little and add it to the original to create a vocoded echo effect.

As with most musical techniques, using a vocoder benefits from experimentation. It's a very versatile unit for adding a dash of interest and excitement to your music.

For more info... Sparky's Magic Piano: www.wecollect2.com/Sparky's%20Magic%20Piano.htm Wendy Carlos on vocoders: www.wendycarlos.com/vocoders.html DirectX and VST Vocoder plug-ins: www.vocoder-plugins.com In depth vocoder techniques: www.cim.mcgill.ca/~clark/nordmodularbook/nm_speech.html EMS Vocoder manual: www.members.tripod.com/werdav/vocbaema.htm