Talkbox
Overview
The Talkbox module emulates the effect of a hardware talkbox effect popularized by rock artists such as Peter Frampton, The Who, and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. A talkbox imparts vocal characteristics on an input source (a guitar, for example) by driving the output of an instrument through a tube that terminates in or around a performer’s mouth. The signal is then filtered and modulated by the mouth, tongue and lip movements of the performer. The resulting effect sounds as though the guitar is “speaking” or “talking”. With it’s tube-free design and unique formant shifting feature, the Talkbox module is an excellent alternative to the traditional Talkbox pedal.
Controls
ENABLE
Enables/disables Talkbox module processing.
DRIVE
Increases the input gain into the Talkbox. Higher values will add a crunchy distortion to your signal. The additional harmonics generated when increasing the Drive amount can help to enhance intelligibility by effectively adding frequency content for your voice to modulate.
SPEAKER
Adjusts the amount of talkbox convolution applied to the signal. This simulates the internal acoustics of the speaker compression driver that is typically sealed inside of a hardware Talkbox pedal.
FORMANT
Adjusts the amount of formant shift applied to the incoming signal. VocalSynth’s talkbox algorithm has the ability to extract formant information from the incoming vocal, making this unique feature possible.
The deep, raspy, throatiness of a talkbox can sound very different from person to person, so if your vocal formants aren’t doing it for you, experiment by shifting them with this parameter.
MODE
Alters the response to high frequencies in both the modulator (voice) and carrier (instrument) input. You can choose from the following Talkbox modes:
- DARK: Offers a more brooding, bassy sound.
- CLASSIC: Most reminiscent of a classic talkbox, this is the default mode selection.
- BRIGHT: Offers an accentuated high-end that helps maximize bite and articulation.
LVL
Controls the output level of the Talkbox module.
SYNTH PRESET SELECTOR
Displays the currently selected synth preset name and allows you to change the synth preset without opening the advanced view. Clicking on the preset name display will open the synth preset list. Clicking on the left and right arrow buttons allows you to quickly load different synth presets. You can modify synth parameters and save new synth presets in the advanced view.
ADVANCED VIEW BUTTON
You can open the Advanced View window by clicking on the mixer button at the bottom of the module’s main panel:
Advanced View
The Talkbox Advanced View includes:
- SYNTH: Customize synth parameters & save synth presets.
- MIX: Control filtering and panning of the module’s output signal.
Advanced View: Synth
When Auto Mode or MIDI Mode is selected, you can control the oscillators and modulation settings for the notes being played into the Talkbox module synth engine.
Sidechain mode disables synth controls
When Sidechain mode is selected, the sidechain input signal replaces the module synth engine as the carrier signal. Synth parameters are disabled in all modules when Sidechain is selected as the global mode.
SYNTH PRESETS
Modules that include synth parameters in the advanced view allow for synth presets to be saved and recalled.
- Default synth presets are loaded when VocalSynth is opened. Each module loads a different synth preset by default. Choosing the “Init” preset from the synth preset dropdown menu will return the module’s synth settings to the default preset values.
- Double-clicking on any knob in the “Synth” section of the advanced view will set the control to a factory default state, rather than resetting the value to the “Init” state.
LOAD PRESETS
Select a preset from the dropdown menu to load the saved synth parameter values in the current module.
Note
You can also quickly change synth presets without opening the advanced view by clicking on the left/right arrow buttons in the module main panel.
SAVE PRESETS
Click on the floppy disk button next to the preset dropdown menu to save a new Synth preset. Type a name in the text field and hit the enter/return key to save the preset.
OSC 1
| NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| ENABLE | Enables/disables Osc 1. |
| WAVEFORM | Selects the waveform shape. |
| GAIN | Adjusts the level of Osc 1. |
| PITCH: Coarse Tune | Tunes Osc 1 in coarse increments. (Semitones) |
| PITCH: Fine Tune | Tunes Osc 1 in fine increments. (Cents) |
| PITCH: MOD | Adjusts the amount of LFO modulation applied to Osc 1’s pitch. |
| SHAPE | Morphs the waveform shape. |
| SHAPE: MOD | Adjusts the amount of LFO modulation applied to the waveform shape. |
The following table outlines how each shape is affected by modulation:
| Shape | Modulation Behavior |
|---|---|
| SAW | Modifies the pulse width of the saw wave. |
| SQUARE | Modifies the pulse width of the square wave. |
| SYNC SAW | This shape simulates two synchronized saw oscillators. Modulating shape will modify the pitch ratio between the two saw oscillators. |
| TRIANGLE | Morphs the triangle wave into a saw wave shape. |
| SAWS | Simulates a swarm of seven saw waves. Modulating shape will modify the detune amount between the saw waves. |
OSC 2
| NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| ENABLE | Enables/disables Osc 2. |
| WAVEFORM | Selects the waveform shape. |
| GAIN | Adjusts the level of Osc 2. |
| PITCH: Coarse Tune | Tunes Osc 2 in coarse increments. (Semitones) |
| PITCH: Fine Tune | Tunes Osc 2 in fine increments. (Cents) |
| PITCH: MOD | Adjusts the amount of LFO modulation applied to Osc 2’s pitch. |
| SHAPE | Morphs the waveform shape. |
| SHAPE: MOD | Adjusts the amount of LFO modulation applied to the waveform shape. |
The following table outlines how each shape is affected by modulation:
| Shape | Modulation Behavior |
|---|---|
| SAW | Modifies the pulse width of the saw wave. |
| SQUARE | Modifies the pulse width of the square wave. |
| SYNC SAW | This shape simulates two synchronized saw oscillators. Modulating shape will modify the pitch ratio between the two saw oscillators. |
| TRIANGLE | Morphs the triangle wave into a saw wave shape. |
| SAWS | Simulates a swarm of seven saw waves. Modulating shape will modify the detune amount between the saw waves. |
NOISE
| NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| ENABLE | Enables/disables the Noise oscillator. |
| GAIN | Adjusts the level of Noise oscillator. |
| LFO/PITCH | Selects the modulation source used by the Crush Mod control. |
| CRUSH | Adjusts the amount of aliasing distortion applied to the noise oscillator. At the maximum value, the Noise oscillator will output white noise. |
| MOD | Adjusts the amount of modulation applied to the Crush parameter. The modulation source is determined by the LFO or Pitch selection to the left of the Crush knob. This Mod parameter allows for bidirectional modulation. |
LFO MOD SOURCE
These parameters define the waveshape and speed of the LFO modulation source. All Mod knobs in the current synth view (except for the Crush Mod control, which can toggle between LFO or Pitch modulation sources) use this LFO as their modulation source.
| NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| SHAPE | Selects the low frequency oscillator waveform shape. |
| RATE | Adjusts the speed of the low frequency oscillator. |
Advanced View: Mix
Adjusts stereo pan position and pass filter controls of the module’s output signal.
PAN
Controls the stereo pan position of the module’s output signal.
FILTER
Adjusts the center frequencies of high-pass and low-pass filters applied to the module’s output signal. Clicking and dragging on a node will adjust the center frequency of that filter. Clicking and dragging in the space below the two nodes will move both nodes at the same time.