XILS Lab

iZotope VocalSynth 2
$199
The ultimate toolkit for manipulating vocal sources, VocalSynth
contains a Vocoder module as well as classic Talkbox, Polyvox,
Compuvox and Biovox processors for getting more than just
classic vocoding sounds. All five modules can be switched on
or off to be used in any combination, and cooked to your liking
in the advanced view (presets are available per module). The
vocoder itself is powerful, and spans rigid one-note sounds to
interesting digital scapes, while the rest of the modules show
there’s an even bigger world of tone waiting below the surface.
But wait, there’s more! You can also sidechain your own
carrier sounds into VocalSynth using the sidechain operation
mode, using the five modules as effects. And then there’s the
actual effects: seven great-quality effects processors that sit on
VocalSynth’s output, giving out great distortion, delay, filtering,
ring mod, complex beat-repeat-style stuttering and lots more.
VocalSynth is a forward-looking processor that has pretty
much every effect you’d associate with wild vocals. Most of the
transformation happens with just a few parameters, with the rest
being just subtle sonic gravy, but it’s all very, very tasty.
izotope.com
VERDICT 9.0
offer if you pipe another audio
channel through the sidechain input.
You can connect an external
audio signal through a sidechain
routing to get more tone, although
for best results, using Input Mode,
the routing is complicated to set up
in your DAW, requiring the carrier to
be in the left channel and the
modulator on the right.
Other perks include that 11-band
EQ, Ess Volume for the vocal signal,
Release control for the modulated
sound, and a Harmonics control to
excite the carrier a little more. Being
a free plugin, this is a no-brainer,
although the tone of its onboard
synth is very particular, and the lack
of controls and routing fiddliness
when you want to pipe in two signals
of your own make it less convenient.
tal-software.com
VERDICT 8.1
Sonivox
Vocalizer Pro
$199
This sound resynthesiser is a
vocoder-esque processor with the
added benefit of being built not
specifically for use on vocals. Said
resynthesis comes via four discrete
spectral synthesis modules, which
can be run separately or as two pairs,
and which contain Filter, LFO, and
Pitch and Balance envelopes. The
results are high-quality and
inspirational, and the onboard
system of snapshots and chords,
accessed through two rows of eight
pads, gives you more control. The
workflow isn’t intuitive, but once
you’ve got your head around this
effect’s unique way of doing things
– preferably through the manual, not
the questionable Groove 3 video
course sold via Sonivox’s website for
$20 – Vocalizer Pro is a powerful
way to reimagine your sounds.
sonivoxmi.com
VERDICT 8.9
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STUDIO ESSENTIAL!
Vocoder plugins | Roundup
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