The 10 Best Vocoder Plugins – Our Pick

Looking for a great vocoder plugin to add some extra creative flair to your vocals or other sounds? We’ve got some great options in this article.

The classic ‘robotic’ sound is the most common example that comes to mind when it comes to vocoders. However, you can do so much more with them. Just check out some of the options below to see the wide depth of processing that these little wonders can do.

Every Vocoder plugin has its own unique set of features and specifications. You can opt for any vocoder plugin from the list to add more uniqueness to your music. In this section, we will explore the vocoder plugins that deliver in terms of performance and add a distinct effect to your music tracks.

1. Vocodex (Paid)

Vocodex is one of the best vocoders that is highly recommended by musicians all around the world. You get a set of amazing features with it that includes modulator noise reduction to diminish any noise coming from the carrier.

Moreover, you can outline the modulator passing through or the noise with the speech enhancement. The Vocodex is amazingly flexible with the Carrier as well as the Modulator. You can route audio from any mixer tracks directly to the Vocodex’s Modulator or Carrier.

• Numerous features
• Great sound quality

Check It Out: Vocodex

2. VocalSynth 2 (Paid)

VocalSynth 2 offers you with a ton of fantastic creative studio effects. You can unearth a unique vocal experience with its unlimited features. It has interactive visualizations that react to the characteristics of the sound, providing you with a fun visual experience while working.

The iZotope ecosystem enables VocalSynth 2 to connect with other plugins that include Neutron, Tonal Balance Control, and Ozone. The VocalSynth 2 provides you with three modes; Auto, MIDI, and Sidechain. It gives you more control over the effects enhancing your creativity.

• Very cool effects
• Easy interface to use
• Amazing sound quality
• A bit pricey

Check It Out: VocalSynth 2

3. Vocalizer Pro (Paid)

Vocalizer Pro brings you unlimited sound effects possibilities. It is half an instrument and half processor which makes it a great instrument expansion tool. You can easily intensify, enhance or re-synthesize any sound that you want, in endless ways.

It has a lot of great features like the Revolutionary MIDI-controlled audio, pitch shift, FFT audio processing suite and much more. The Vocalizer Pro supports four formats including AU, VST, RTAS, and AAX Support.

• Works on Windows as well as iOS
• Decent Price

Check It Out: Vocalizer Pro

4. Orange Vocoder (Paid)

It is a classic audio vocoder that is designed to provide you with some cool sound effects. It was originally developed in 1998, whereas it has evolved majorly since. The amazing features of the Orange Vocoder allow it to be cutting-edge even today.

It is equipped with a built-in 32-voice synthesizer and 8 various vocoder algorithms which is a great device for creating sound effects.

• Great features
• Amazing sound quality
• No Windows support

Check It Out: Orange Vocoder

5. Multiplex Vocoder 2 (Paid)

The standalone software is built for live sets, music producing and post-production. The Multiplex Vocoder 2 equips four VST/AU vocoders and one audio vocoder, allowing you to input any audio file or virtual instrument that you can use as a vocoder signal.

You get real-time processing with Spectral Input Mixing through which you can range frequencies from the microphone and feed it in the vocoder.

The Input Depending Mode will activate or deactivate each vocoder output depending on the input level. You can manually set the minimum threshold for activation or deactivation of the vocoder outputs.

• Works on MAC, Windows and as Standalone
• Fun Features

Check It Out: Multiplex Vocoder 2

6. MVocoder (Paid)

MVocoder allows you to create cool robotic sounds and other amazing effects, while you can morph between two audio materials. You get amazing sound quality and a ton of interesting features that make Mvocoder one of the best in the market.

It is very versatile and has the capability to support up to 100 bands, 10 filters, band distribution band matrix, and resonance graphs.

Check It Out: MVocoder

7. XILS V+ (Paid)

You get an incredible combination of Vintage 10 band Vocoder, Human Voices, and Supreme Top Octave Divider based Strings that allows you to create magic in your music.

The XILS V+ helps musicians in exploring their creativity by touching the limits of uniqueness. The vocoder offers you an easy interface, enabling beginners to experiment with their techniques.

Check It Out: XILS V+

8. XILS Vocoder 5000 (Paid)

The XILS Vocoder 5000 brings you an easy interface that is very feasible to work with, providing you the perfect opportunity to explore your creativity. It has some great filtering techniques that will lead to cool sound effects in your music.

The clarity is one aspect that is very commendable with XILS Vocoder 5000 as it creates very precise and organic sounds. The interface is a single standard panelview that gives you more control. The XILS Vocoder 5000 features Frequency Shifter that easily allows users to manipulate voices, drumbeats, chords and a lot more.

Check It Out: XILS Vocoder 5000

9. TAL-Vocoder (Free)

It is a vintage vocoder comprising of 11 bands that emulates vocoder sounds from the ’80s. The TAL-Vocoder is a bit different from the digital vocoders, however, it provides you with some great sound effects.

It has interesting features that you can play with while working on your tune. The “Ess” enhancer provides a clear and understandable voice.

• Easy to use
• Free product
• Low CPU usage
• Limited features

Check It Out: TAL-Vocoder

10. Vecto (Paid)

Vecto comes with a Four-Oscillator Vector Synthesizer that enables you to create many unique sounds. Released back in 1986, it is now available as a plugin.

You can use it to produce great sound movements with its power-packed features. Vecto also brings you amazing presets that make experimenting with music more fun.

Check It Out: Vecto

How Vocoders Work

Working on the mechanism of its original counterpart, vocoder plugins modulate the sound frequencies based on the harmonics. An input signal is fed into the vocoder, which is carried through to several signal parallel filters. Based on the level of frequency and the content, the vocoder creates a signature of the input signal that needs to be processed into a vocoder through another input.

The synthesized sound is filtered by the previously generated signature signal which produces an output signal that is comprised of the synthesized sound, filtered by modulating your voice. Moreover, vocoders can alter vocals, instrumental sounds such as drumbeats and other sounds to create a rhythmic tone.

About Vocoders

Vocoders or a Voice-encoder have become a vital staple in music production over the decades. However, vocoders served an entirely different purpose back in the 20s.

The original device was meant to make long-distance communication easier by reducing the signal bandwidth. They have a wide range of applications such as in communications & digital encryption.

In the ever-changing & ever-evolving music landscape, vocoders have become an essential effect for many electronic and pop music genres. The musical application of vocoders involves the induction of robotic voices and/or sound effects within tracks.

Vocoders vs Autotune Plugins

When it comes to voice modulation and alteration, some might associate vocoders and autotune to be one and the same. While both may create a similar effect in the music track, they essentially work on different principles.

Autotune works on the pitch correction of the vocals. Too much re-tuning can result in a robotic voice which might sound too unnatural.

However, vocoder plugins synthesize the vocal line entirely, which can also result in a robotic sound. Cher’s track ‘Believe’ utilized autotune to add elements of robotic vocals whereas, great example tracks that used vocoders are J Dilla and Common’s ‘E=mc2’ & ‘let’s grove’ by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Therefore, vocoder plugins are a fantastic addition to your music production arsenal that assists in making your songs and tunes sound much cooler.

Conclusion

Vocoders can be a great addition to add more creativity or interesting sounds to your mix. They are commonly used on vocal lines, but like most audio effects, they can be applied to almost any signal if used creatively.