What are the Issues of this Project?
When working on a project it’s very important to weigh out the pros and cons. I had to make sure that I knew the issues I could be facing before I decided whether or not creating a vocoder was the right path way for me. Weighing up the pros and cons of the project can speed up the process for you, says Mind Tools.
In this case, the main concern for me was trying to get to grips with how to use the software quick enough in order to complete my goal of creating the vocoder.

1. A Brief History Of The Vocoder, Ian Vargo. (2016) URL: https://theproaudiofiles.com/history-of-the-vocoder/ (Accessed date: 19th March 2019)
2. SOS Sound on Sound, Craig Anderton. (2003) URL: https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-whats-difference-between-talk-box-and-vocoder (Accessed date: 19th March 2019)
3. SOS Sound on Sound, Craig Anderton. (2003) URL: https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-whats-difference-between-talk-box-and-vocoder (Accessed date: 19th March 2019)
4. Mind Tools, (no date) URL: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_05.htm (Accessed date: 19th March 2019)

As we all know already, there are many technical loop pedals for instruments when it comes to live performance. Whether it be for guitars, bass, keyboard. But what is there for vocals?
For this project, I will be creating a vocoder for vocalists and hope to be able to use it in my own live performance. A vocoder is very similar to a talk box.
The inventor of the vocoder was Homer Dudley, whose reason behind inventing the electronic device, was to, intentionally reduce the cost of all the expense of copper cables which are used to effectively signal through vocals in a live performance.

Project Area
For this module I will be undertaking in semester two, I am expected to submit a project proposal. This project proposal will be explaining what I chose to develop as an interactive sound project.
I am planning on exploring what kind of tools are best suited for vocalists when it comes to live performances. This means I will be using project software’s in order to enable me to create my interactive device for myself as a vocalist. I plan on exploring, developing a tool for effecting vocals in live performance. This will include me making points of the following:

• What I will be creating
• What the issues I had in the process of creating the interactive development were
• What my creation could be useful for
• Explaining my project aims (what I am hoping to achieve)
  Project method break down
• A bibliography

To create this vocoder project, I will be using different software’s such as Max and Arduino. In aim to achieve this, I will be taking part in set up workshops, and attending tutorials (Max and Arduino) that we will be run by Ed (tutor/lecturer).

Why Have I Decided to Construct a Vocoder?
I’m interested in this area because like many other artists, (such as Bon Jovi), they all use a talk box or vocoder. I feel as if I could incorporate the vocoder into my own live performance.
How does a vocoder work? When doing research into vocoders, I had discovered from Roland, Product News, Vocoders Explained, (2018), that a vocoder works by “analysing the sound of a modulator signal”. The article goes on to explain that it’s usually, most commonly used by a vocalist.
A vocoder is a device that takes the sound of a modulator signal, according to the Hot off the Presses, (2019). A vocoder is a synthesizer that produces any sounds from a speech input device. This is why it is so helpful when used in live music performances.

Project Aims
My main aims for this project are:
– To develop my understanding on how to use the Max and Arduino software for live vocal performance.
– To build a program that I am able to use in my own live performance.

Many other musicians use vocoders in their live performance. Take Bon Jovi, for example. During his song ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’. This is a very interesting effect which is why vocalists use it to their own advantages. My idea of creating a vocoder is due to wanting something to interact with vocally in order to make my live performance more interesting. For example; take the ‘talk box’. According to Craig Anderton, it’s an ‘electromechanical’ device that produces ‘talking instrument sounds’. He goes on to explain that the talk box was a very popular effect choice in the 70’s.