V256 Vocoder Review

Wonderful Vocoder pedal - Need to read the manual

This thing sounds amazing once you get it dialed in properly. I've owned rack-mounted vocoders before by Roland and MAM, and the V256 can hold its own even though it is not a vintage analog machine. I highly recommend reading the manual and watching some instructional videos, because some of the features are not obvious by just looking at the front panel. Some of the other reviews… read more complain about pitch "tracking", which takes your instrument Input and tries to discern the pitch in order to play the built-in synth voices in this pedal. While that can be a neat trick, it is not really what a vocoder does. All those features are "extra" in the V256 as far as I'm concerned, even though a lot of front panel space is devoted to those tricks. A true vocoder lets you take the actual AUDIO from both inputs, Instrument (Carrier) and Microphone (Modulator), and thrn a bank of filters will imprint the Modulator's sound on to the Carrier. The V256 lets you do this, but the settings might not be immediately obvious - that's where the manual comes in handy. You need to have the program set to one of the "Vox-Robo" options, and also set the PITCH knob to either zero or max (fully clockwise or counter-clockwise). Only then will the Input's audio signal be used as the Carrier. This is the mode I use most on the pedal, by far. The MIDI input is great as a backup option if you have a MIDI keyboard, but don't want to use the audio input. You are then playing (and limited to) the internal built-in synth sound. The final option is to plug in a guitar at the input and let the pedal attempt to track pitch. This would be the method I use least, as it is not nearly as reliable. To get the best results I recommend using it as a true vocoder, as mentioned above. But that means you need to supply the audio signal, be it a synth pad, guitar chords, whatever. Experimentation with different Input signals can offer some nice surprises. Drawbacks: Mic input only has a Hi/Lo level switch. A knob would have been much better to help get proper mic levels. You can leave it in the Low position and plug in an external mic preamp if you want to have better level control, just make sure to leave Phantom Power turned off if you use it that way. Despite being a little difficult to use and dial in properly, this pedal still gets 5 stars from me. It's very convenient to have a great sounding vocoder in pedal form, since I got rid of all my rack year several years ago.

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Good Effects but Limited Output Design

I've owned this pedal for two years now and have developed mixed feelings about it. First bought it for the vocoder function. The vocoder sounds nice and has a good range of settings available that enable you to create an acceptable vocoder sound. Haven't found any use for the three identical "VOX ROBO" presets slots because the settings don't have enough of an impact to need more… read more than one preset. The output of the device and mic gain (even on the low setting) tend to be very hot. I've had many experiences in live settings where I was unable to use the pedal because of feedback issues. I know that feedback issues can be combated with proper gain setting technique but you can't guarantee that every live venue will have a properly set sound system with a decent engineer. This high output and high gain issue applies to all effect types within the pedal. The midi input on the pedal works alright. The internal synth that acts as a carrier signal produces a vocoder sound just as good as what I can get using my moog little phatty as a carrier for the inst input. Triggering the internal synth via midi opposed to an external synth is a little more limited. For example, I can't achieve a glide (portamento) sound with midi internal synth. I've been able to send expression signals such as mod wheel, or octave transposing over midi but not the portamento which really helps create a more realistic, vocal like sound. Beware of the outputs and their design on this pedal! This really holds the pedal back in my opinion. Has prevented me from using it in live situations and has also caused major phasing problems before I was aware of the possible design flaw. When the pedal is engaged, it sends the same effected signal through both (INST and XLR) outputs. That's ok in the sense that it gives you a choice in what type of cable you'd like to use for output but it works against you if you choose to use both outputs. I've needed to use the XLR output multiple times so I could sing dry back up vocals while the pedal was disengaged. But when I turned the pedal on for vocoder function it sent two signals to the house pa and the signals phased with each other creating a terrible sound. The dry vocal signal the pedal sends is almost no good because it's so hot. Makes things very tough and inconsistent for a sound guy. So now all I use this pedal for is the occasional vocoder effect. I use a total separate mic and line for another other vocal related things whether it's live or at home.

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Wow!

I got this pedal on a whim, just to mess around with it and see what I could use it for. I'm SO GLAD I picked it up. This thing is incredibly fun to play with, but it's also extremely useful in the studio. I actually use it in my monitor mix, set to a mild reflex tune with the wet/dry set to about 50%. The result is that I can hear both my the note I'm singing, and the right note,… read more and as a result, I can pull myself in tune much better. The vocals I've produced using this method are night-and-day better than what I was producing before. Oh, and did I mention it's also incredibly fun to mess around with? Totally worth the cash. Buy one and find out for yourself!

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The only one

stellar.

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What I had been waiting for

Though EHX promoted this primarily as an auto-tune pedal, this is a stellar vocoder, hands-down. The tones it gets are rich and sonorous. The sweepable bandwidth along with the formant knob (gender bender) and pitch knob make it extremely versatile. In terms of a portable vocoder that can easily pop into your effects chain (and has separate outs for the carrier and modulator… read more signal!) this can't be beat. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the signal coming out of the mic output is not a mic-level signal and will easily overwhelm any mic input you send it to. Otherwise it is perfect.

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