Vocoder

The vocoder effect works by dividing the modulator signal into a number of frequency bands. The audio attributes of these frequency bands can then be used to modulate the carrier.

As the carrier, Vocoder offers a built-in polyphonic synthesizer, but you can also use external carriers, for example, an external synthesizer, via side-chain input.

Input

Input: Sets the overall input level.

Carrier

If the built-in synthesizer is the carrier, the modulator source is applied to the sound of this instrument. The synth is polyphonic with up to 8 voices and features 2 low frequency oscillators (LFOs) per voice. The synth has the following parameters:

Fine Tune: Tunes the oscillators ± a semitone, in cents (hundreds of a semitone).
Noise Mix: Adds white noise to the sound.
Noise Mod: Makes the oscillators modulate the noise level. This gives the noise a rasping sound.
Drift: Adds random pitch variation to the oscillators.
Glide: Makes the pitch glide between notes played. The parameter sets the time it takes for the pitch to glide from one note to the next.
Bright: Softens the tone of the oscillators by using a lowpass filter. It does not affect the white noise generator.
LFO Rate: Controls the LFO rate.
Vibrato: Adds vibrato to the oscillators.
Detune: Changes one of the oscillators, in cents (hundreds of a semitone).

MIDI Settings

Mode

Allows you to choose the trigger for the carrier.

Fixed mode uses a fixed root note as the trigger for the built-in synthesizer.

Note
Fixed mode is selected by default when the plug-in is loaded, allowing you to instantly hear a modulated output signal. We recommend to switch to External mode to use the full MIDI modulation capability of Vocoder.
External mode allows you to use a MIDI signal as the trigger for the built-in synthesizer. You can use either a MIDI track, a chord track, or a MIDI signal sent by any MIDI device as a trigger for the carrier signal.

Note
Generally, voices or percussive sounds are better suited as modulator source material than static pads or soft ambient sounds.

Pitch Bend

Sets the up/down range of the pitch bend in semitone steps.

Filter Bank Section

Bands: Sets the number of frequency bands by which the modulator signal is divided. Fewer bands provide a thinner, more resonant sound, whereas using more bands makes the sound fuller and more intelligible.
Frequency Display: Shows the modulated carrier signal, divided into bands.

Modulator

The parameters in this section allow you to control the general sound quality of the vocoder effect.

Bandwidth: Sets the bandwidth for the frequency bands, which affects the overall timbre. Very narrow bandwidth settings produce a thin, whistle-like sound.
Min. Freq: Sets the minimum frequency limit.
Max. Freq: Sets the maximum frequency limit.
High Thru: Sets the amount of high frequencies from the original input signal passed to the plug-in output while notes are played. This affects the sound of sibilants.
Talk Thru: Sets the amount of the original input signal passed to the plug-in output while notes are played.
Gap Thru: Sets the level of the original input signal that is passed to the plug-in output when no MIDI notes are played. This allows you, for example, to apply the vocoder effect on a vocal track only where you want it.

Note
In Fixed MIDI mode, this parameter has no effect.
Emphasis: Cuts lower frequencies while letting high frequencies pass by using a high-pass filter.
Log - Lin: Defines how the frequency bands are spread between the minimum and maximum frequencies. If set to 0%, the bands are equally spread in octaves (logarithmic). If set to 100%, the bands are equally spread in Hz (linear). This affects the basic timbre of the vocoder effect.
Env. Speed: Sets the attack and release times of the vocoder envelope. Low settings cause the modulator signal to trigger the vocoder instantly, higher settings gradually increase the attack/release times, providing a more subtle effect. If set to Hold, the modulator is frozen and does not affect the carrier signal at all.

Output Section

Output: Sets the output level.