How to use the Vocoder Effect - Roland VS-2480 Tech Support Help Site

> How to use the Vocoder Effect <

The 19-band Vocoder found in all V-Studios provides quite a stunning "talk box" effect. It can make your synth or guitar track sound like it is talking. It does this by applying the envelope or articulation of a vocal track to the instrumental track. The vocal track that provides the envelope can be either a pre-recorded vocal, or you can even plug in a microphone and use the vocoder in real-time during a performance!

When you use the vocoder -there are always two tracks or channels involved, one is the voice, and one is the instrument track. For the voice, you can either use a vocal already recorded, or a live mic input. For the instrument, use a rich, thick synth pad for the best results. You can also experiment with a strumming acoustic or electric guitar that has a lot of sustain. The key is use an instrument track that has continuous sound that doesn't drop out at all, and has a lot of notes playing a time - something with a big, thick chord - lots of harmonics.

Now, to make the Vocoder sound right when you use it, you need to connect it the right way. And there really is only one right way to connect it. To explain, I'll refer to the two parts as the VOICE and the PAD.

First pick the effect. From the Effects List of your V-Studio, choose "VOC2: 19-band" as the best choice. (Note, when you choose this for Effect 1, Effect 2 can not be used.)

To connect the vocoder, it must be inserted on both the VOICE and the PAD tracks. I use the rhyme "Insert right on the mic" to remind me to insert the right channel of the vocoder on the VOICE track (i.e. "InsR"), and insert the left channel of the vocoder on the PAD track. If you have it inserted on both parts, but it doesn't sound right, chances are you got the Insert Left and Insert Right switched. Simply un-insert it all, and then try it again.

Once you press play, you'll hear the PAD track but only if the VOICE track is "talking". If the voice track isn't talking or singing at that particular part of the song, you won't hear anything. When the VOICE track is making sound, you'll hear just the PAD, but as modulated or articulated by the VOICE.

When you want to use the Vocoder with a live mic as the VOICE, just make sure you insert it on the Input Mixer, and not on the Track Mixer.

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