ORANGE VOCODER IV

ORANGE VOCODER IV: Vocoding, zynaptified. Combining the most comprehensive and best-sounding set of vocoding algorithms available today with laser-precise pitch control effects, a powerful synthesizer, audio freezing, a super fun and efficient workflow, and much more, makes ORANGE VOCODER IV – quite simply – the ultimate vocoder plug-in.

One vocoder? How about 24... ORANGE VOCODER IV gives you not only one great vocoder sound, but also twenty-four vocoding and cross-synthesis modes, each with its own unique sonic character. It can sound warm and fat (overweight, even) or ghostly ethereal, dark and brooding or crystal-clear, smooth as butter or completely destroyed in a totally sick way… you’ll never run out of inspiring new sounds. To create this spectrum of sounds, we’ve used every trick in the book* – ORANGE VOCODER IV is designed to include the most comprehensive set of sound hybridisation options available in a vocoder. *: ... and some that aren’t actually in any books yet.

Meticulously Crafted

To stay true to the zynaptiq style, we didn’t stop there, but added an outstanding formant shifter, a new approach to filterbank release/reverb called TRACES, HF through and unvoiced synthesis, an expander driven by the plug-in input, as well as zero-latency operation for two of the modes. And – most importantly! – all of this is carefully crafted to sound great, forward and dynamic, and to sit well in the mix. Or in other words: it has everything and then some, and simply sounds amazing.

Did You Say Comprehensive?

Ooooh yes, we did – it’s deep. Going far beyond simply offering the ultimate in vocoding, we’ve loaded ORANGE VOCODER IV with vocoding-related workflow features, such as creating vocal tuning and layered harmonisation effects, pads and drones, synth sounds, harmonic support in a color bass style... you can (literally) mix and match.

To keep the workflow fast and easy, ORANGE VOCODER IV’s modules are all connected in a semi-modular routing architecture, clearly laid out in the OVERVIEW view. Using an interactive signal flow diagram as the interface makes coming up with new sounds a dream. Drop modules into the signal path and adjust their key parameters, load sub-presets into them, adjust routing, mix, solo or mute the different processors, and much more. To dig deeper, click a module’s box to open the synth, vocoder or effects pages – it really couldn’t be simpler.

ORANGE VOCODER IV is much more than a vocoder – it’s both an inspiring sound-design playground and an efficient production tool.

The Synth

ORANGE VOCODER IV features a 64-voice synth that comes with hundreds of presets, plus a preset generator that will create new sounds for you at the click of a button. The synth can be used as input to the vocoder, layered with other modules, or used on its own. Its two oscillators can use analog-emulated waveforms as well as sampled vintage digital waveforms, and offer two variants of ring modulation, hard sync, through-zero FM, and seven types of polyphonic distortion. These feed into a 6 to 24dB low-pass filter with beautiful resonance. Extensive modulation options include mono and polyphonic LFOs (audio-rate capable for the oscillators), AD envelopes, envelope followers and zero-crossing trackers, velocity, and a 4-destination macro control. Unison drift with up to 8 additional voices and DETUNE and CLUSTER modes, as well as Mono Legato with glide, are also supported, and you can play the synth via MIDI, or tell it which notes to play using the on-screen keyboard.

Pitch Quantization

ORANGE VOCODER IV features a pitch quantizer to force the input signal to a specific pitch, which can be used in parallel with or instead of the vocoder. It has 5 modes – QUANTIZE, SCALE, NOTE, ENFORCE and POLYFORCE – offering flexibility and a wide range of sonic possibilities. ENFORCE and POLYFORCE use a wavetable-inspired approach and feature zero-latency processing for live performance. The pitch quantizer is extremely easy to use: just switch it on and choose the algorithm, and it will then be driven by the same notes as the synth – including mono legato and glide, of course.

The FREEZER

The FREEZER module will freeze the audio coming into the plug-in when you click its big snowflake button, and maintain the current timbre indefinitely. It is placed before the pitch quantizer module, so you can play melodies with it. You can load and save freeze buffers, and build a library of colours as you go.

The DICE

The DICE button in ORANGE VOCODER IV triggers a smart randomiser that will load randomly selected, but carefully designed, settings in the synth, vocoder and freezer modules – giving you the inspiring infusion a randomiser brings to the table, while only creating useful results. No more click - meh! - click - EW - click - srsly?. You can exclude any module from the dice roll, choose whether you want to use musical or SFX-like sounds (or both), and whether you want to use factory sub-presets or your own (or again, both). DICE is context-aware, so if you’re in the synth view, only the synth will be rolled.

The ZYNTH

Just like DICE, the ZYNTH button is made to spark inspiration – clicking it will create a new synth setting from scratch. ZYNTH combines scripting and AI, and reliably produces great-sounding patches. Check it out!

The Ultimate Vocoder Plug-In

When it comes to plug-in vocoders, ORANGE VOCODER is considered by many to be THE classic. Critically acclaimed for its sound quality and sonic versatility through its many iterations since it was created by Prosoniq in 1998, version 4 significantly expands on both points... and then adds a little more. Completely reworked from the ground up, we’re proud to say that ORANGE VOCODER IV has truly been zynaptified.

ORANGE VOCODER IV is a major update and has many new features:

• New Vocoder Features: 16 new VOCODER algorithms, for a total of 24, including LPC, wavelet-based, speech-synthesis-inspired, independent component analysis-based and zero-latency analog modelled algorithms. The most comprehensive solution available!
• The VOCODER is now stereo.
• New expander module for additional dynamics control.
• HF Through and Unvoiced parameters now come as level controls instead of on/off switches.
• New /2, x2 and INVERT macro functions for the Graphic Filterbank EQ.
• Re-designed filterbank reverb circuit called TRACES with a unique, reverberant sound.

• New Effects & Routing Features: New pitch quantizer module – including real-time MIDI control of target pitch and 5 modes: Quantize, Scale, Note, Enforce and Polyforce.
• Enforce and Polyforce modes feature zero latency operation as well as grain morphing functionality – it's like a wavetable synth with real-time input!
• Now features a FREEZE that is stored and recalled with the preset/session – like with ADAPTIVERB. It also features its own sub-presets for creating a library of tones to work with.
• Improved Reverb with new DAMPING parameter.