The Vocoder: A Brief History

The Vocoder: A Brief History

The vocoder, short for "voice coder," is a device that analyzes the frequency components of a human voice and then uses those components to modulate another sound source. This can be used to create a variety of effects, including:

Talking synthesizers: The vocoder is often used to create the sound of a talking synthesizer. This is done by using the voice as the modulator and a synthesizer as the carrier.

Robotic voices: The vocoder can also be used to create robotic voices. This is done by using a low-pass filter to reduce the bandwidth of the voice signal.

Other effects: The vocoder can also be used to create a variety of other effects, such as the sound of a choir or an orchestra.

The vocoder was invented in 1928 by Homer Dudley at Bell Labs. Dudley was working on a way to transmit speech over telephone lines without losing quality. He realized that by analyzing the frequency components of the voice, he could recreate the sound of the voice at the other end of the line.

The first vocoder, called the Voder, was used by Bell Labs in the 1930s. The Voder was a large and complex device that was not practical for commercial use. However, it did demonstrate the potential of the vocoder for speech synthesis.

In the 1960s, vocoders began to be used in music. The first commercial vocoder for music was the Electro-Harmonix Vocoder, which was released in 1969. The Vocoder was used by a variety of musicians, including Kraftwerk, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock.

Vocoders have become increasingly popular in music since the 1960s. They are now used by a wide range of musicians, from electronic music producers to rock and pop musicians.

How a Vocoder Works

A vocoder works by analyzing the frequency components of a human voice and then using those components to modulate another sound source. This is done by using a filterbank to divide the voice signal into a number of frequency bands. The amplitude of each frequency band is then used to control the amplitude of the carrier signal.

The carrier signal is the sound that is being modulated by the voice signal. It can be any sound, such as a synthesizer, a drum machine, or even a live instrument.

The amount of modulation is controlled by a parameter called the "depth." The higher the depth, the more the carrier signal is affected by the voice signal.

Types of Vocoders

There are two main types of vocoders: analog vocoders and digital vocoders.

Analog vocoders use analog circuitry to analyze the frequency components of the voice signal. They are typically more expensive and less versatile than digital vocoders, but they can produce a warmer, more organic sound.

Digital vocoders use digital circuitry to analyze the frequency components of the voice signal. They are typically less expensive and more versatile than analog vocoders, but they can sometimes produce a colder, more artificial sound.

Applications of Vocoders

Vocoders are used in a variety of applications, including:

Music: Vocoders are used in a wide range of music genres, including electronic music, rock, pop, and jazz. They are often used to create the sound of a talking synthesizer or a robotic voice.

Film and television: Vocoders are used in film and television to create a variety of effects, such as the sound of a computer voice or a alien language.

Speech synthesis: Vocoders are used in speech synthesis to create artificial voices.

Conclusion

The vocoder is a versatile device that can be used to create a variety of effects. It is a popular tool for musicians, filmmakers, and speech synthesizers.

Posted by November 16th, 2023

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