Behringer today announced that their latest Eurorack module, the Vocoder VC16, is now shipping from their factory, priced at $99.
Vocoders analyze the spectral characteristics of a modulation signal, like your voice, and then apply those characteristics to a carrier signal. The most common application is for creating classic ‘robot voice’ effects.
The Vocoder VC16 features six engines and three voice polyphony with its internal engine, and it can also work with an external carrier.
Features:
- Vocoder with 3 voices of polyphony
- 6 digital oscillators, including analog modeling, noise, FM, and Vox
- 4 controls for vocoder response and sound modeling
- Synthesis models tailored for Vocoder applications
- Carrier shape control
- External carrier input with adjustable level control
- Line/mic modulator input featuring level control
- MIDI input for interfacing with other instruments
- USB connector for firmware updates
- Eurorack specs: 16 HP, 100 mA +12 V, 20 mA -12 V
Here’s the official Behringer Vocoder VC16 intro video:
Pricing and Availability:
The Behringer Vocoder VC16 is now shipping from their factory, priced at $99.
It sounds good for 99 bux.
would like to hear it on percussion.
i will take two please
Really? Why?
I’m genuinely asking because I’m struggling to find a solid use for one, nevermind two!
I have some synths that double up as vocoders (MS2000, Nova and MicroFreak) and they’re okay. I just don’t really use the vocoder functionality much. I’ve tried running something other than vocals through (drums for example) and the results are mixed at best.
It just seems a very niche module to me.
What would you do with two? I genuinely want to know. It seems insane to me!
Vocoders built into synths are often a bit hard to exploit properly because you don’t have much flexibility with the wiring and they assume most people want to do the robt voice thing and nothing else.
Try running noise as both carrier and modulator, or patching a delay from the output back to the modulator input, cranking the feedback a bit, and experimenting with the delay times.
The band Woo made great use of Vocoders in unexpected ways. Guitars, drums, household objects. It’s all over their records, but here is an example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFHdEaPyDM
Stereolab also used Vocoder in creative ways, particularly on the records they made with John McEntire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHS7qmp4vrA
Use vocoders on a daily basis in our house and electro music, will be nice not having to bring a larger vocoder like a ms2000 on stage.
Thank you all for your answers.
I now know a little bit more.
Everydays a school day!
Thank you again.
Question guys: in my times vocoders were ‘promoted’ by the number of bands that a vocoder splits a modulator signal into (more bands producing a more detailed and clearer sound). it does not sound at all like a 16 band (i guess the name is based on the eurorack size). do you guys know the number of bands for the vc16 (2 perhaps)?. thanks in advance for letting me know. Sid
It’s says 16 band in the first minute of the video.
I know it’s Behringer, they like to confuse polyphany and paraphony. But I doubt they’d lie about the number of bands on this.
Awesome…thanks for taking the time mate!
huh? it’s a 16-band vocoder. there’s a manual.
i have a spectravox, and warps already.
99€ and has external carrier input. I really need to build me a small euro skiff. That FM vocoder feature is bananas, Industrial Light & Magic in a box
Yes, just added it to my shopping list.
I’d be interested to try this out and see how it works – if it’s an original design that’s pretty cool.
I’m not as impressed with the low price as I usually see a bunch of these modules secondhand going for like $25 which seems so bizzare.
I’d like to see a comparison to Electro-Harmonic’s V256 vocoder. That is a beast of a vocoder that has 256-bands.