Wow, never knew the FX block was capable of all this!!
BTW, I heard someone has used FX block “as a vocoder” - any ideas how that might be done? Using the LFOs in some manner?
1 Like
Not really a vocoder effect, but it’s possible to get effects that may resemble a little when using the FX filter for processing, and p-locking the filter cutoff.
An example from the first Science lab:
On the AR and the MD you can process the same sound source through multiple filters, for true filter bank effects. Still not proper vocoding, but closer than on the ST.
2 Likes
ok, I think the person who claimed that didnt know what they were talking about in that case 
1 Like
Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to achieve something similar 
2 Likes
Some vocoder type sounds, lets say vocal effects processing! Rough AF but should give you an idea of whats possible, you can really fine tune it, also use different fiter types to get some great sounds. I actually got caught up playing with the gain and getting the fx block to self oscillate, some amazing old school analog synth drones atmos and effects that you can parameter lock and get nice rythums with trigs.
4 Likes
That would be me 
Ok ive found a solution for self oscillation that appears stable after cycling the machine…setup a silent synth 0 vol or 0 amp set it in track relations to trigger the fx block, but you can just use trigs in the fx block…select Notch 2 filter type set lfo to filter freq and speed 16(not specific as you can use this for tone generation) multi 512 to 2k works well tri and sine waves are nice but square wave is the toughest. Ive been using both lfos on filter freq as it sounds like dual voice (paraphonic, vol does drop) and you get good harmonics and 2 note detune when you change the speed…in this case speed determines pitch of the ‘voice.’ You can trig lock all parameters to get a melodic sequence…lots of fun. I have recorded about 45mins of mucking around but will edit and post here soon, probably just a part of the ‘jam’ only using the effects block.
2 Likes
Interesting. So you’re basically using the LFOs as oscillators, right? Technically I don’t think this is filter self-ocillation, but more like audio-rate LFO oscillations, which is different, but cool Nice find.
On another note, it seems fitting for this lab to also explore FX track feedback routing trick, like in this video from Userfriendly:
5 Likes
You get a ‘tone’ with a fiter sweep best with the notch filter for some reason when the amp envelope is triggered (This is present without applying the lfos) but not a typical resonate tone like you get from other analog gear. I would say its suppressed by programming or electronics in the syntakt, but im no audio engineer I dont know why it works but it does, im not even sure its analog could be digital feedback of some sort but id like to know if anyone can reproduce it. I guess youre just hijacking the tone with the lfos and able to oscillate it enough to get pichable tones…not sure…but i like it! Audio rate lfo oscillatons work for me! but what is causing the inital oscillation? Interesting…the feedback loop looks cool, interesting to try and tame it…cheers Nils👍
2 Likes
I love that vid its such freakin mess of sound, yeah just throw a heat into to the syntakt maelstrom classic!
2 Likes
If you consider what a vocoder is doing - extracting a set of band pass filtered volume trajectories from one signal, and imposing it on another using a different set bank of bandpass filters - it’s possible to get vocoder-like effects on the Syntakt using for example eight digital machines set to band pass filtering.
Let’s say you use eight identical samples with SP Twinshot, and filter them all differently. You can then use track dependencies to trigger them all from track one, and adjust the volume envelope a little different for all, to get some variation between the different tracks (or frequency bands in the vocoder world).
Might be something to try for the Syntakt Oddballs special lab…
3 Likes
Nice idea to try with a vocal sample then record that sample and put it back in the twinshotachine if thats what your getting at? Btw I managed to get that whip crack on the old firmware version i can post it but not sure where, is there really an odd ball thread, sounds like id fit right in!
Also would someone be willing try the fx block audio rate lfo thing(at best you get another audio track on the syntakt lol) i wanna know if its just my machine as my syntakt took a direct hit from a co2 bulb my son smashed with a hammer. Can you believe that? He hit a co2 bulb 10mters away from the house and it went through the window and straight into the syntakt power switch obliterating it direct hit no other damage! i had to order a new switch from elektron and replace it, luckily it came back to life but the top right encoder is glitchy from the shock wave. That’s what my profile pic is…lols
Yeah, or anything else really. Vocoders can be used for a lot of stuff. In a typical vocoder example, vocals are only used for analysis, with the resulting spectrum then forced upon another sound, for example a synth chord. Thus making the synth chord “talk”. So what you’re hearing is actually the synth chord, shaped by the vocal spectrum.
So what you could try is just a synth chord (preferably with a rich harmonic spectra), and nitty-gritty program the volume envelopes on the eight different tracks.
Oh, cool If you used a specific machine to achieve it, you can post it in the science lab thread for that machine. If you used several machines, you can use the Oddballs thread:
Sounds like you’ve maxed your bad luck 
I’ve had little time to play around lately, but I’ll try to remember to test it the next time I’m on my ST.
1 Like