[nprateem]

Any good software vocoders out there?

[marcedwards]

Yeah, there’s a few, and I probably should have included more plugins. I don’t mind the built in Ableton vocoder. The built in Logic Pro one is a bit average. I like the XILS 201 plugin, but it’s not as nice as many of the hardware vocoders I tested. I guess it depends what you‘re after and how much vocoder you need.

(Note that the XILS 201 plugin requires iLok. I think iLok sucks.)

[an_aparallel]

Fl studios "vocodex" is likely the most advanced vocoder there is.

128 bands, band redistribution, ability to further route using patcher, just look at its manual to see :)

Though its shrouded by the standard "FL is for rap dumb dumb" stigma. Marketing is one hell of a drug.

[marcedwards]

Thanks! I’ll give it a listen. Number of bands doesn’t necessarily dictate the quality of results — the Electro-Harmonix V256 has 256 bands, and it’s not even in the top 5 out of the vocoders I tested, imo.

[an_aparallel]

Definately, Vocodex is probably one of the few vocoders you can turn to if you want something specifically uncharacteristic of a classic vocoder sound.

[_DeadFred_]

I really like Arturia's though it is a bit finicky, a CPU hog, and takes some post processing to clean up.

[marcedwards]

I feel like that’s a theme for Arturia’s plugins. I have their 1176 compressor and some other stuff. They’re nice, but use tons of CPU and can be a bit flaky at times.

[_DeadFred_]

For stuff that doesn't need sidechain I run it in AudioGridder and that resolves the issue but the vocoder needs sidechain.

[sideshowb]

The built-in one in ableton is fine by me