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I'm looking for a vocoder that is more or less pedalboard friendly (so no synths with vocoders). I already did some searching but it seems that there aren't too many in production options to choose from (aka 1 I know of). Below are the ones I found. It'd be great if anyone knows more about them or has some other suggestions because I'm really entering unknown grounds with this.

EHX Voice Box: this is the only one currently in production I know of, but I don't really like ehx's way of handling controls presets. If it's the best option out there I guess I'll have to settle for it.
Boss SE-50/SE-70: interests me the most because of all the other options it's got, but there's not many demo's of the vocoder online. Also, is there a difference between the vocoders in the SE-50 and SE-70?
Alesis Metavox: doesn't seem to have that much control over the vocoder when using an instrument as the carrier signal? Also the one demo I found had a preamp before the Metavox. Do all these vocoders need this, or only the Metavox?
Electrix Warp Factory does all I need I think, but it's also the least pedalboard friendly I guess.

So, anyone ever used these? Any input about vocoders is appreciated ofcourse. I'm also interested in hearing about using a guitar as carrier signal, as that's what I hope to do!

the warp factory is amazing sounding. yea not PB friendly tho.

Paia makes a DIY vocoder kit designed by Craig Anderton. You might be able to build it into a smaller enclosure, but by the look of the picture, it's one long skinny PCB. However, a lot of Craig's designs can be found freely on the net, so some digging might turn up the schematics.

http://www.paia.com/vocoder.asp

I don't have a vocoder, but I do use my TC Helicon standalones to accomplish a similar effect, I use the pitch correction along with the harmonizer. I use full pitch correction with the gender knob set about 1/3 female. I then use the +2 steps up and down on the harmonizer, set up a dry mic and then the wet mic.

Obulus wrote:I'm looking for a vocoder that is more or less pedalboard friendly (so no synths with vocoders). I already did some searching but it seems that there aren't too many in production options to choose from (aka 1 I know of). Below are the ones I found. It'd be great if anyone knows more about them or has some other suggestions because I'm really entering unknown grounds with this.

EHX Voice Box: this is the only one currently in production I know of, but I don't really like ehx's way of handling controls presets. If it's the best option out there I guess I'll have to settle for it.

So, anyone ever used these? Any input about vocoders is appreciated ofcourse. I'm also interested in hearing about using a guitar as carrier signal, as that's what I hope to do!

Actually, EHX makes the V256, which is a much more deluxe vocoder than the Voice Box, although it doesn't have the harmony settings that the Voice Box does.

http://www.ehx.com/products/v256

Thanks for the suggestions! Didn't even know about the other EHX one. I think it's down to one of the EHX's (because they are the only ones in pedal form) or the Boss SE-50 or 70 because of all the other options these have. Going to try and snag a Boss SE-70 for a good price first and if that doesn't work out I'll look into the EHX.

I've done my share of experimenting with pitch shifters and harmony on vocals, but this time around I really want to experiment with a vocoder. These TC Helicon pedals do look nice though! The paia also sounded great in the samples, but I'm not really into building (yet) and I think/hope I can snag the other options for about the same price as the kit!

Still open to other suggestions though, while I look for an SE-70!

I had an SE-50 back when they were new. It's a nice processor if you take the time to program it, but the SE-70 is the way to go because it has a better vocoder.

posit: people who like vocoders, cannot in principle dislike autotune

posit: people who like vocoders, cannot in principle dislike autotune

Gearmond wrote:posit: people who like vocoders, cannot in principle dislike autotune

This doesn't even make sense. The two aren't even comparable. Kinda of an apples and oranges thing.

To the OP I looked into getting the EHX 256 but just use the vocoder in Reason. I would love to have one on my pedalboard though. It'd be great for playing live. If you have an iPad check out Voice Synth, it's pretty fun!

Despite the term "vocoder" implying the use of a human voice as a modulator, I find the most interesting uses reversing this trend, or using completely different signals. Modulate a guitar with a drum machine. Modulate a theremin with an FM radio.

Internal oscillators are handy for messing around, but make sure you have inputs for both carrier and modulator signals for the most versatility. Many cheap ones only have modulator inputs.

^^^ - I agree wholeheartedly. I don't think the full creative potential of vocoders has been utilized yet. Now the wheels are turning...

Yeah, I was certainly planning on doing more than vocals alone with it!

MannequinRaces wrote:

Gearmond wrote:posit: people who like vocoders, cannot in principle dislike autotune

This doesn't even make sense. The two aren't even comparable. Kinda of an apples and oranges thing.

To the OP I looked into getting the EHX 256 but just use the vocoder in Reason. I would love to have one on my pedalboard though. It'd be great for playing live. If you have an iPad check out Voice Synth, it's pretty fun!

except autotune is literally a phase vocoder, so its apples to granny smith apples

Gearmond wrote:

MannequinRaces wrote:

Gearmond wrote:posit: people who like vocoders, cannot in principle dislike autotune

This doesn't even make sense. The two aren't even comparable. Kinda of an apples and oranges thing.

To the OP I looked into getting the EHX 256 but just use the vocoder in Reason. I would love to have one on my pedalboard though. It'd be great for playing live. If you have an iPad check out Voice Synth, it's pretty fun!

except autotune is literally a phase vocoder, so its apples to granny smith apples

I like that answer. Works for me. I still don't like autotune though but love vocoders!