Vocal Tricks

[daemond_matrix]

For cool vocal effects - vocoder, backwards, pitch correction, walkie talkie, phone voice ... I'm sure there are alot of different units that would get me there - but is there a predominant, highend outboard unit unit that responsible for a significant number of these treats on modern records?

I'm thinking about getting something like a Korg Vocoder - but I'm afraid thats the only thing it will do - and I've no idea if thats what people are really using. I basically want to get something to start letting me trick out vocals. Sweeping, reversed, flanged harmony or something like that. I'm not sure if I've got to do said effect from scratch with sampler, delay and a reverb - or if there is something that is just standard as a lauching pad for those types of tricks. My guess is ... many tricks can be had with a combination of at least pitch correction, robot vocoder and then tricky flanging/sweeping --- but I don't want to start experimenting if there's a common tool most people use to get 90% there.

I believe Cher used Autotune ... I don't know what Max Martin uses ... while Roger used to use an actual voice box and mic. I'm guessing most current producers are using things like AutoTune ... and maybe harmonizers - but I've not had either and not sure what they are really capable of.

I've seen the ads, would an old Eventide be a good start? - or is there something else that I'd get more mileage out of? Plugins would be acceptable ideas as well.

Thanks.

[Protools Guy]

For the "Cher" effect, the most economical way to go is w/ Autotune.

I would also highly recommend everything that Soundtoys makes, especially Echoboy.

[James Guitar]

well, i'm not sure what "the kids" are doing nowadays but i use a combination of different things for vocal effects. i use the Native Instruments Vokator for all my vocoder needs. the reason vocoder is also acceptable. i own a korg vocoder and have been less than impressed with it in the past... i don't really use it anymore although it found its way onto a couple major-label releases, albeit in a reduced-volume capacity.
i also use the sherman filterbank for crazy daft-punk type vocal effects and filtering (the "Daftendirekt" vocal sound, not the "One More Time" vocal sound). the filterbank is really quite an awesome machine, it just takes a while to get the hang of it. even when you don't know what you're doing with it you can still make some MASSIVE sounds and effects.
i also use a hardware eventide flanger (and various ITB flangers) for that flanging swirly kind of sound, when required.
i've run vocals through leslies, guitar amps, stomp boxes...
i also have used autotune for the "cher" effect, but mostly in a comedic fashion. to be honest, i think the autotune vocal thing (as an effect) has run its course and no longer has any sonic currency, but that's just me. YMMV.
if i think of any other boxes that i use, i'll chime in again.
-J

[daemond_matrix]

Soundtoys, Vokator and Sherman.

Thanks - great suggestions.

[Led]

Guitar pedals. Particularly in parallel.

[phillysoulman]

Auto Tune 5,Waves Morphoder,Waves Mondo Mod,Antares Kantos,

[Gzmo]

Sherman thru an echo chamber or spring rev

[ArcCirDude]

Say, "Matrix's vocal tricks" five times as fast as you can! WooHoo!!!!



And to the guy who said, "I believe Cher used Autotune...", ....clever....


How's 'bout a singer with talent? That'd be pulling the 'ol rabbit out of the hat!

Silly rabbit! Tricks are for kids!






Damn... Seems someone cut my booze with moonshine...

[Chris G]

look at the Electrix Warpfactory vocoder. They should have them up on ebay for about 200 or so.

[rackdude]

Surprized no one mentioned Ornage Vocoder yet...

[Kiwiburger]

A good DAW with a bunch of good plugins will get you there, and probably accounts for the majority of effects heard recently. The money required ranges from $0.00 to $unlimited. A PC running a free DAW that can support VST effects will give you practically everything you need for free, with a few quirks. Or a Protools HD rig with all the expensive plugins will give you a more comfortable ride for your money.

For most of the overtly digital effects, it's hard to argue the benefits of hardware over software. Exept for reverb - plugins are struggling to get close to high end hardware reverb, but are certainly adequate.

Hardware digital effects become more necessary if you want to do the realtime analog summing trip. If you are prepared to use a hybrid, you can always render your digital effects 100% wet ITB and sum them in analog.

Effects can always be a combination of various OTB and ITB effects. For example - you might have an analog delay stompbox that sounds kind of cool, but is only mono, noisy as hell and gets too ugly on long delays. What you could do is reamp your dry track through this delay on the shortest delay, 100% wet. Then, create the longer delay times - stereo if you want - using a plugin delay.

If you start looking at your DAW and plugins as a huge modular system, the possibilities get a lot bigger than most highend digital boxes. Plus, many effects (especially pitchshifting) are best done offline with long rendering times - rather than trying to do them in realtime with compromise.

[u b k]

pluggo

ableton live

good ol' h3000

reaktor


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[84K]

distortion blended in so it adds thickness but doesn't flat out sound like a stomp box. is the sound of today. it's been the sound of today for... Idk, 30 +years ? but nowadays people use plugins and dial it in exactly as they like with the ability to alter it up to the last minute.