Project Proposal and Overview

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.