vocoding tutorial

pal · Joined: Aug 29, 2005 Posts: 24 Location: amsterdam

I wonder if there is some explaination somewhere on how to make G2 vocoder patches...

I find it pretty difficult to get good result when using a microphone..

elektro80 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:14 am Post subject:

I have tried to find some general vocoder info for you but I didn´t find what I was looking for. You should have much better chances at getting this right if you studied stuff like the Bode 7702 or the Moog Vocoder or the Sennheiser VSM-201
Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Later vocoders weren´t patchable to the same extent as these were and these days a vocoder is often just a closed box. Studying the classics will make a lot more sense if you are going to set this up on the G2.

I know this is not quite the kind of advice you wanted, but ..

elektro80 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:21 am Post subject:

I am sorry. That sennheiser link is deadish. Sad

There used to be an old book on vocoders describing these 3 and others in detail. To my astonishment I found it on the web some 10 years ago.. scanned.. gif files.. I think it was at some US university website somewhere. It has diagrams, block schematics and the lot. The book came with a C-60 tape but I didn´t find that one there. 1995? Too early for MP3?

elektro80 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:28 am Post subject:

The original book was bought in 1982 and I think it was the 3rd or 4th revised edition or someting like that. Damn expensive at the time and now it is gone! Shocked

seraph · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:39 am Post subject:

2 interesting links:
Wendy Carlos Vocoder Q&A
Reason Vocoding 101

pal · Joined: Aug 29, 2005 Posts: 24 Location: amsterdam

Thanks so far!

Hopefully i can find some tutorials on vocoder programming... ain't there a wizoo book for the g2?

ian-s

cappy2112

seraph

Tim Kleinert · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 2:46 am Post subject:

When doing speech vocoding, overdriving the speech signal will often improve the intelligibility. I always do it like that.

davep · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject:

A couple of hints, sorry if you already know these,

1. The synth signal should be very rich in harmonics, like three detuned sawtooth waves with little or no filtering.
2. For polyphonic synth patches, try putting the vocoder in the CVA FX Section, so one vocoder is processing a more complex signal with more notes and more harmonics.

But in general, the NM1/G2 does not have the best sounding vocoder. Perhaps partly because it doesn't have as many bands as some other vocoders, but I suspect there is more to it. I have noticed that the NM1/G2 vocoder often has an annoying watery gurgling sound, which could be caused by envelope follower times being set too fast on some of the bands, especially the lower frequency bands. But since the vocoder module is a 'closed system' there is no way to adjust this. The workaround is to make your own G2 DIY vocoder patch using lots of filters, Envelope followers, and amplifiers, but of course it eats up DSP and restricts the complexity of the synth section of the patch.

deknow · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject:

...yeah, there are lots of problems with the paia (but as cappy said, the mod should help things along...so would limiters on the inputs), but i've done some cool sounds with it. i also have a vf11, which is quite a bit nicer, and very flexible...i've used this one quite a bit.

one of the best uses for vocoder is to rip off a drum loop and turn it into melody/texture while still keeping the "soul" of the loop.

deknow

seraph · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject:

deknow · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

...no, this one:
http://oldschoolsound.free.fr/manuels/vf11eng.pdf

actually, that manual is a good vocoding tutorial.

deknow

cappy2112 · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject:

seraph · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:27 am Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 2:01 am Post subject:

We do have an awesome vocoder expert here on the board. This is the most excellent Dr. Justice. He is the guy who made the insanely cool Infiltrator ( vocoder and filtering skin for the Soundart Chameleon). This guy is incredibly bright.