Need a single plugin that handles vocoder, talkbox, harmonies, and robotic vocal effects? Looking to transform recorded vocals without hunting down separate tools or physical hardware? VocalSynth free download from iZotope packs four distinct vocal engines into one place, letting you generate everything from thick harmonies to glitchy digital speech directly in your DAW.

Key Takeaway

VocalSynth 2 consolidates multiple vocal transformation tools into one plugin. You get four main engines—Vocoder, Talkbox, Polyvox, and Compuvox—along with a full effects chain for distortion, filtering, and delay. It’s useful for creating synthetic vocal textures common in electronic and dance music.

The Four Vocal Engines

This plugin is built around four core processors that each handle a different style of vocal manipulation.

Vocoder

The Vocoder engine has three modes: Smooth, Vintage, and Hard. You use it to blend a carrier signal (often a synth) with your vocal input to create that classic robotic, talking-synth effect.

Talkbox

This emulates the sound of a physical talkbox without the need for the tube and hardware. It offers three tonal modes: Dark, Classic, and Bright, giving you that filtered, vowel-heavy sound associated with funk and electro.

Polyvox

Polyvox is a polyphonic pitch shifter. You can use it to generate harmonies, add octaves, or create unisons from a single vocal track, thickening up your vocal takes.

Compuvox

Modeled after handheld talking toys from the 80s, Compuvox creates glitchy digital speech and computerized vocal effects. It’s for producing robotic, lo-fi character voices.

Workflow and Control Modes

You have two main ways to control the pitch and generation of effects. Auto mode handles voice generation automatically. MIDI mode lets you control pitch shifting and harmonies from a keyboard, for more precise musical manipulation. The Automatic Pitch Correction works in real-time to keep processed vocals in tune.

The Effects Chain

After the main engine, your sound runs through a series of dedicated effects modules to further shape it.

Distort

This adds wave-shaping distortion to the signal, letting you introduce grit and saturation.

Filter

You get three filter options: New York Low-Pass, Scream, and Combo. These shape the tone by cutting or boosting specific frequencies.

Transform

This module uses convolution to apply speaker models and amp simulations. It changes the character of the vocal, like running it through different physical speakers.

Shred

Shred applies beat-repeating technology. It chops and repeats segments of the audio to create glitchy, stuttering rhythms.

Delay

A wide stereo delay with filtering options is included for adding space and depth to the processed vocals.

Technical Specifications

VocalSynth 2 works on both macOS and Windows. It comes as a VST, Audio Units, VST 3, and AAX plugin, so it’s compatible with most major DAWs. A collection of presets is included to get you started.

Who Is This For

This fits a few specific scenarios. It’s for producers working on electronic or dance tracks who need to apply vocoder and talkbox effects directly to vocals without sourcing external hardware. It’s also useful if you’re adding polyphonic harmonies, octaves, or unisons to vocal tracks and want that control within one plugin. Finally, it works for creating glitchy digital speech, robot sounds, or telephone-style vocal effects for sound design or vocal-heavy production.

Limitations

The provided facts do not list any specific limitations, such as CPU usage, copy protection, or required iZotope account. As with any sophisticated multi-effect, the sound is dependent on your source vocal and how you manage the signal chain.

Final Verdict

If your goal is to transform and manipulate vocal recordings using robotic, synthetic, and harmonic effects from a single plugin, VocalSynth 2 covers a lot of ground. You get the four core engines for distinct vocal colors, plus a solid effects section for further processing. It addresses the need to consolidate vocoder, talkbox, pitch shifting, and vocal synthesis without switching between multiple tools. For a free download focused on synthetic vocal processing, it’s a capable option.