Voice synthesis and how to use it

Ever felt the need to take your vocals to the next level of computerised goodness, but are sick of using the same old pitch correction tools?

Say hello to voice synthesis...


What is voice synthesis?

If you've heard the song "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap... or perhaps the song that sampled it - "Watcha Say" by Jason Derulo, you'll be familiar with voice synthesis.

It sounds like impossibly tight and accurate harmonies, resulting in gorgeous chordal vocals that can add power to any vocal line.


How does it work?

By making multiple instances of your source vocal line, then pitch correcting each one to a note that's being played by the synth, the resulting sound is a playable version of the voice.

Sound complex?   It's not - just think about it as each note being played has its own T-Pain app.


Where can I use it

The Studio: Electronic musicians all over the globe are subscribing to the succinct and sharp harmonies given from voice synthesizers.

The studio is the obvious place to start using them since it gives you time to play and manipulate the voice with some of the more advanced features (Formant shifting for one - allowing the voice to maintain that natural sound without turning the harmonies into Alvin, Simon and Theodore.)

Live: However, live is where you can really experiment.   The aformentioned Imogen Heap uses it to great effect, but more upbeat music works well with it too, as Pendulum have proven time and again.   It adds a whole different dimension of talent to vocal performance - being able to concentrate on singing and manipulating your voice simultaneously.


Some cool voice synthesizers...

Propellerheads' "Record 1.5" comes with "Neptune" - a seriously powerful voice synth that can also do conventional pitch correction, as well as automatic formant correction.

TC Helicon's VoiceTone synth is a method of getting live vocoding and voice synth (from a guitar input if you'd like!) without splashing on a pricey audio laptop for gigs.   Convenient for the on-the-go vocalist who doesn't want to be adjusting parameters on a macbook mid-set!


So get correcting your voice and have a play with what's available to you!   Who knows?   Perhaps you'll be to voice synths what Cher and T-Pain is to autotune!   ...Or perhaps you'll maintain your integrity and just make some awesome music with interesting vocals.   The choice is yours!