These are the best free Talkbox VST emulators and plugins to use with your favorite music software. I have included talkbox-like plugins that work with both Windows and Mac.
In this roundup of free talkbox plugins, I’ve included details of plugin features, screenshots, and YouTube videos to see how the plugins work.
What Is A Talkbox VST Plugin? A Talkbox plugin is an audio effect plugin that allows you to emulate the sound of a Talkbox, giving your voice a robotic synthesizer sound. Talkbox VST plugins can replicate the Talkbox audio effect in your software without the hardware equipment.
Best Talkbox VST Emulators
- MDA Talkbox
- TAL-Vocoder
- Alter Ego
- Cannabis Vocoder
- Stempel Spectral Vocoder
- Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a huge list of free talkbox VST plugins, so this list includes free plugins that allow you to add talkbox and vocoder effects to vocals to replicate the talkbox audio effect.
I’ve downloaded and checked out hundreds of free VST plugins, and these are some of the top free talkbox VST plugins out there.
Instructions: Click the links below to visit each talkbox VST plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
Related: 18 Best Free Autotune VST Plugins
1. MDA Talkbox VST
MDA Talkbox is a high-resolution vocoder that can be used to create more realistic, lifelike vocals. It comes with presets for easy use and is best suited for beginners looking to make neat vocal recordings.
Also suitable for pros looking to experiment, it has top-quality audio and is straightforward in its workings. Additionally, it has a wide range of vocal sounds that can be achieved.
MDA Talkbox is one of the best talkbox VSTs. If you want to create realistic vocals, this is the plugin for you. It is sure to give you the best results for your recordings.
Features
- High-quality audio
- Straightforward workings
- Comes with presets
Plugin | PC & Mac
MDA Talkbox VST Preview
2. TAL-Vocoder
TAL-Vocoder is an emulation of vintage vocoders from the early 80s. This plug-in includes analog-modeled components combined with digital algorithms, such as the SFFT (Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform).
This vocoder is optimized for voice processing and includes some consonant algorithms to make the voice more intelligible.
The carrier signal can be a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) with a Pulse, Saw, Noise, and SubOsc, or the left stereo input can be used as a carrier.
Low CPU usage makes this plug-in perfect for live performances. Plus, the side-chain input allows for further processing options. This is great when using an external signal to control the vocoder sound.
If you are looking for a talkbox VST that is easy to use, TAL-Vocoder is perfect. It will become one of your go-to plugins for voice processing and live performances.
TAL-Vocoder is a great talk box plugin for FL Studio, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and other music programs.
Features
- Analog modeled components
- Intuitive interface
- Low CPU usage
- Side-chain input
Plugin | PC & Mac / Linux
3. Alter Ego
Alter Ego is based on vintage voice technology and focused especially on musical needs. It allows you to type lyrics that can be turned into singing sounds, all without the need for a real singer.
The program offers many features, including modifying sounds using a keyboard to control pitch and dynamics. As an efficient tool for music production, Alter Ego has gained recognition among musicians.
The tool also lets you control the vibrato, portamento, and other effects to make more realistic and expressive sounds. Alter Ego is a powerful talkbox VST plugin that gives you creative control over the audio output.
You can use it to create everything from classic talkbox sounds to more modern singing synthesis. So, if you are looking for a versatile and user-friendly talkbox VST, then Alter Ego can be your first choice.
Features
- Vintage and modern voice synthesis
- Lyrics to singing conversion
- MIDI keyboard compatible
- Extensive sound modification
- Real-time singing synthesizer
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Versatile musical applications
- Expressive performance capabilities
- Wide range of audio effects
- Supports different voice banks
Cons
- Requires MIDI keyboard for full use
- Limited to Windows 7 and higher
- Needs macOS 10.11 or higher
- Requires dual-core CPU or more
- Minimum 1GB RAM needed
Alter Ego | PC & Mac
4. Cannabis Vocoder
Cannabis Vocoder is a unique plugin that can completely change the sound of your vocal track. The mono version is an effect plugin, meaning it’s not a VST instrument.
Using the effect on the vocal track, the software automatically tracks the tune of the vocal track and calculates the pitch of the changed sound as well.
The poly version is a VST instrument application where you can load the vocal track into the software, and using the MIDI channel, you can create a polyphonic vocoder.
The interface is simple and unique, making it easy to create the vocoder tone you’re looking for.
‘Octave/Semitone’ can change the pitch here, and if you change the value of the octave, you can create various interesting sounds – even within the same vocoder tone. ‘Attack’ changes the reaction time of the vocoder, and ‘Vocoder’ changes the volume of the vocoder, but the original sound stays the same.
Cannabis Vocoder comes with 25 different tones, so you’re sure to find the perfect sound for your track.
- 25 different vocoder tones
- It can be used as an effect or as a VST instrument
- Simple and unique interface
- Octave/Semitone pitch changer
- Attack time changer
Plugin | PC
5. Stempel Spectral Vocoder
Stempel Spectral Vocoder VST is a powerful sound processing tool that can help sound design.
This program emulates the classic vocoder technique, using complex numbers to recreate this effect and then playing it back in time-domain samples.
This plugin also includes two other techniques for alternative ways of processing: the variable parabolic saturator and a standard chorus with a high-quality delay.
Both can help add new dimensions and interest to your soundscape.
Plus, with the Stempel Spectral Vocoder, you can also process recorded audio files, meaning that you can import them, process them, and then export them.
The plugin gives you a lot of sound design possibilities that you may not have had before. This is one of the best free Talkbox VST add-ons available.
So, if you are looking for a powerful and free way to add interesting new sounds to your music, then the Stempel Spectral Vocoder is worth checking out.
- Emulates the classic vocoder technique
- Uses complex numbers to recreate the effect
- Includes two other sound processing techniques
- Can process recorded audio files
- It gives you a lot of sound design possibilities
Stempel Spectral | PC
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Emulate A Talkbox?
A talkbox is an effects unit that allows musicians to modify the sound of their voice by shaping the frequency content of the signal with their mouth.
The most common way to create this effect is by using a speaker mounted on a stand, which the musician holds in front of their mouth. The sound from the speaker is then fed back into the performer’s microphone, which picks up their vocals along with the modified sound of the instrument.
To emulate this effect without a talkbox, you can use a vocoder. A vocoder is a device that analyses and converts speech signals into digital form, which can then be manipulated to change the timbre or pitch of the signal.
By bypassing your natural vocal production altogether, you can use a vocoder to replicate the sound of a talkbox by shaping the frequency content of your signal. This can be done with hardware vocoders or with vocoder plugins.
How Do I Make My Vocoder Sound Like A Talkbox?
First of all, you’ll need a vocoder. Then, to make your vocoder sound like a talkbox, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Connect your vocoder to a synth or other sound source.
2. Play a sustained note on the synth or other sound source.
3. Use the modulator (usually your mouth) to shape the vowel sounds of the note you are playing.
4. Experiment with different notes, vowel sounds, and modulation techniques to get the desired talkbox sound.
This way, you can use a vocoder to replicate the sound of a talkbox by shaping the frequency content of your signal. This can be done with hardware vocoders or with vocoder plugins.
Does Daft Punk Use A Talkbox Or A Vocoder?
Yes, Daft Punk use a talkbox or vocoder on many of their tracks. For example, the track “Revolution 909” from their album Homework uses a talkbox to create robotic voice samples. Similarly, on the track “Veridis Quo” from the album Discovery, they use a vocoder to give the main vocal melody an otherworldly quality.
While there are other ways to create these sounds (synthesizers can certainly do a lot), nothing compares to the real thing. Many artists have used talkboxes and vocoders over the years, but Daft Punk are certainly masters at using them in new and innovative ways.
What Are The Best Free Talkbox VST Plugins?
The best free talkbox VST plugins are “MDA Talkbox” by MDA VST, “TAL-Vocoder” by TAL Software, “Cannabis Vocoder” by Bitsonic, “Stempel Spectral Vocoder” by AZ Audio, and “Alter Ego” by Plogue. These plugins can help you produce the talkbox effect for free.
I hope you found this list of free talkbox vocal emulators helpful.
