1.0

Effects Parameters CUBASE LE
37
Setting up – using MIDI
In this mode, the Vocoder is set up slightly differently than other plug-
in effects. This is because this setup requires both an audio signal (as
the modulator source) and a MIDI input (to play the carrier) to func-
tion. To set up for using an external carrier, see page 38.
To set up for use, proceed as follows:
1. Select a source for the modulator.
The modulator source can be audio material from any audio track, or even a live audio
input routed to an audio track (provided you have a low latency audio card).
• Good modulator source material are talking or singing voices or per-
cussive sounds, e.g. drum loops.
Static pads or soft ambient material are generally less appropriate for use as modula-
tors, but there are no absolute rules as to what could be used as a modulator source.
2. Select the Vocoder as an insert effect for the audio channel with the
modulator signal.
3. Make sure that the Vocoder Mode switch is set to “MIDI”.
4. Select a MIDI track.
This can be an empty MIDI track, or a MIDI track containing data, it doesn’t matter.
However, if you wish to play the Vocoder in real-time – as opposed to having a re-
corded part playing it – the track has to have monitoring activated (or be record en-
abled) for the Vocoder to receive the MIDI output.
5. Select “Vocoder” from the MIDI “out:“ pop-up menu for the MIDI track.
The MIDI Output from the track is now routed to the Vocoder. There is an indicator on
the Vocoder panel below the Mode switches that blinks when receiving MIDI.
That concludes setting up – you are now ready to start vocoding!
What you do next depends on whether you are using live or recorded
audio as the modulator source and whether you are using real-time or
recorded MIDI as the carrier input. We will assume for the purposes
of this manual that you are using recorded audio as the modulator,
and play the carrier in real-time.
6. Make sure the MIDI track is record enabled and start playback.
7. Now play a few notes on your MIDI keyboard.
As you can hear, the audio track material, or rather its formant characteristics, is now
applied to the Vocoder’s built-in sound source!