ByYourCommand.net

Hi Folks,

Just got my hands on an Alesis Metavox Vocoder and did a quick test...
This thing is very tweakable - now I just have to figure out the correct settings and build a 9v powerpack.

Please have a listen and let me know what I should be aiming for. It is a quick test of two of the settings:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c455 ... b9a8902bda

And here is a pic of the badboy



Im aiming for recognizable - it wont have to be 100% but just enough that its portable, realtime and people know the sound

Dave

Wicked, that's sounding just about as good as you can get for a realtime on the fly voice changer. Would love to hear more once you found a way to turn it into a portable device.

Thanks a million for listening mate!

Im fairly happy with the thing to be honest - pitch etc. can be changed so lots of listening to the dvds ahead for me

It runs on a 9v wall wart power supply so Im hoping some electronics whiz locally can build me a rechargable battery pack...

If anyone is interested the power supply outputs: 9VA 830mA.

I picked up two of these - one for my costume (whenever that will be) and one for my music studio They were a guitarists effect line a few years ago but I think they didnt do very well. Initially the Alesis series went for $130 but towards the end they fell to $30 blowout... All the ModFx series are getting more and more difficult to source these days so much so that I had to pay just over the initial retail for both of these from different folks!

If anyone is interested, I'd suggest picking one up as soon as you can find them as I think they will become a cult thing - they are already fairly difficult to find...

Anyhoo, thanks again for listening again mate!

Dave

Wow. That is a great solution for the voice. Very creative idea!

So - thinking ahead to it being part of a Cylon outfit - I guess you speak into a mic in the helmet and the vocorder, in real time, converts your voice... think there would be any of your own voice that could be heard? Or would a speaker in your suit overpower your own voice?

Great find thanks for sharing. I'll have to save up and search for one quick before all the Cylons buy them up

I think during a troop, what with the eye sound and all. Its pretty difficult for a crew member to hear your voice. Once the vocoder was installed with a decent speak system. That's what you'd be hearing.

Thanks again folks!

My idea would be to velcro the unit inside the backback (its just larger than a guitar stompbox).

A good quality bluetooth headset mic inside the helmet (to cut down on wires) and the bluetooth receiver attached to the backpack unit.

Then two mini speaker enclosures (just the metal cone part) inside the neck part so the only wiring would be from the backpack to the neck speakers... so your voice would come from the neck (cuts down on feedback with the speakers away from the mic)...

Theoretically it should work

But its only theory at the moment

Depending on the power of the speakers I wouldnt imagine ANY of your own voice would be heard! This has been on my mind since I joined the forum so work will continue and I hope you guys dont mind me posting ongoing progress - I think this really could wok!

Thanks again folks!

Dave

Xample 2 doesn't sound half bad. It's very digital sounding compared to the original, tad harsh, but it's very good!

Agreed indeed

I must set aside time to delve further... for example I think I mixed too much of my own voice in with the second sample, but not enough and it becomes hard to understand the words said.

Also its very strange hearing your own voice in your head over what is coming out of the speakers - I must try this with headphones to get the settings right

Finally, I think the conversion to mp3 may have 'coloured' the sound a bit... I'll try capture an uncompressed .wav soon.

Thanks again for all the discussion on this folks!

Dave

Ha yeah, compressed as well, maybe clipped, all kinds of things can happen. Do a "BYC" next time!

Interesting sounds. It has some potential to make a live Cylon voice for a wearable costume. Here's a clip I found on YouTube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fX7cLwIuFI






.

Here's a link to the Metavox Instruction Manual...
http://www.alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/ ... manual.pdf





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Hi Galactifan!

Thanks for the links mate

It was that video that made me think of the Metavox instead of a UMPC running software. The Metavos is smaller and it would be a bit strange trying to fit even an 8'' laptop into a backpack

My second Metavox arrived today and this one had the instruction manual with it - Phew!

Thanks again dude!
Dave

This info is a great find!

I have just bought one of the alesis vocoder whatsamajiggers......

I cant wait to get it up and running.


Cheers
Briz_Cylon

Hey cool!

Ive restarted Uni so things have slowed right down

Let me know if you want any info or help mate - youll prolly get finished before me!!!

Dave