IK Multimedia recently added the 3D cab room to their free version of Amplitube 4, called Amplitube Custom Shop.

IK is often quite generous with their free software, and the mic room definitely helps when sculpting your tone in Amplitube, but now there’s not a huge difference between the free and paid versions of Amplitube 4.

IK’s website doesn’t explain the differences well at all so it’s rather confusing.

Native Instruments offer a great simulation that comes in both free and paid versions. While the design is the same for both, the free version has fewer options when it comes to amps and effects. When it comes to a free version of the program, you will get one amp and one cabinet to use. (Wannabe) Synthwave producer here. Been playing in the last six months with all kind of free VSTs. Now, I am familiar with the basics of synthesis and was wondering if you really have to go for paid VSTs to produce quality content. Obviously, the subject of paid plugins being better than free plugins is contentious, and for many tools, such as EQ, there is very little difference in high-quality free plugins and their paid counterparts, but for certain things, like synths, there is a definitive quality difference. 1) Antares Auto-Tune Pro (Paid) Auto-Tune is the original pitch correction software.It’s so popular that its name is synonymous and is more of a colloquial term. Antares gives you a couple of options to pick from depending on your needs — Pro, Artist, Access, or EFX+.

Basically what it comes down to is the paid version is essentially a Marshall amp pack now and little else.

Unless you really like IK’s Marshall amps and cabinets, which are oddly the only ones you can’t test before buying, then there’s not much reason to upgrade.

Most of the other inluded amps, pedals, and cabinets are already available in the free version of Amplitube.

Personally I don’t think the 5 Marshall amps are worth the asking price of $149 for Amplitube 4; you’d be better off spending that money on the new Fender or Mesa Boogie packs instead, but it all comes down to personal preference and the sound you’re trying to achieve.

I got sick of IK’s over-the-top hyper-annoying marketing style so I rarely pay attention to their products anymore, but Amplitube 4 does have some good things going for it and some of the gear does sound really good once you filter it out from all the outdated crap.

To get the free version of Amplitube 4, head over to IK’s website and download the Amplitube Custom Shop. In addition to the added cab room, the free version comes with 4 amp sims, 5 cabinets, 9 pedals, 3 mics, 2 rack effects, and a tuner. Most of it’s outdated garbage, but hey, it’s free, and once you have it you can test and buy all the individual pieces of gear available in Amplitube.

What the Paid Version Gets You

Here’s the list of gear that the paid version of Amplitube 4 adds to the gear included in the free version.

5 Marshall amp sims:
Brit 8000 (JCM800)
Brit 9000 (JCM900)
Red Pig (Marshal Major)
Brit Silver (Marshal Jubilee)
Brit Valve Pre (Marshal JMP-1)

5 matching cabinets:
4×12 Brit 8000
4×12 Brit 9000
4×12 Red Pig
4×12 Brit Silver
4×12 Brit 30

1 pedal – Acoustic Sim (that sounds absolutely dreadful, btw)
1 mic – Double Dynamic 57
1 tuner – Ultra-Tuner (I hate this “ultra” tuner; it’s too sensitive and is always jumping around)

Last Updated on December 15, 2020 by

Vocoders are fun! In short, they are used to synthesize thehuman voice making them sound robotic and even “inhuman”.

The great thing about vocoder plugins is that they can add alot of flavor to your music in just a matter of seconds.

Now, in this post I will list the seven best professional/commercialvocoder plugins, as well as the 7 best free ones.

Let’s get started…

Best Commercial Vocoder VST/AU Plugins

1. VocalSynth 2 by Izotope (Windows, Mac)
2. Vocodex by Image-Line (Windows, Mac onlyin FL Studio)
3. Morphoder by Waves Audio (Windows, Mac)
4. XILS V+ by XILS Lab (Windows, Mac)
5. Vocalizer PRO by Sonivox (Windows, Mac)
6. Waldorf Lector by WaldorfMusic (Windows, Mac)
7. Razor by Native Instruments (Windows, Mac)

VocalSynth 2 by Izotope ($199)

This is one of the most powerful commercial vocoder pluginsout there that also comes with loads of other features which are great forcreating cool and futuristic vocal effects.

VocalSynth 2 features a Vocoder, Compuvox, Polyvox, Talkbox,and Biovox, which is a brand new effect based on the sonic qualities of thehuman vocal tract.

It’s more than capable of creating the typical roboticeffects, however you can also get any kind of oldschool or “newschool” soundswhich should help you find that secret sauce that you need to make your mixessound awesome.

Since it’s one of those plugins where you can certainly getlost in all the features available, VocalSynth 2 also provides you with loadsof presets, which not only is a good starting point when you’re trying toachieve that awesome vocal sound, but it also helps you save loads of time.

The newly added “Biovox” feature is pretty interesting aswell;

Using scientific modelling of a human vocal tract, you canadjust human vocal characteristics like nasality, vowel shapes, and formantsfor a smooth, textural vocal treatment to any audio signal.

VocalSynth2 also features a visual animation that moves withthe shape of your audio, which gives you a pretty unique audio meteringexperience.

All iZotope products feature inter-plugin communication,allowing seamless integration with essential tools for music production andanalysis.

Features

• Biovox: Modelling of human vocal tract.
• Stompbox-style effects
• Inter-plugin communication
• Extensive plugin enhancements
• Best Free Vocoder VST/AU Plugins

You can find out more about VocalSynth 2 here.

Related: I’ve also written other posts about VST plugins that might interest you;

Vocodex by Image-Line ($99)

Image-Line is the company responsible for creating theamazing DAW FL Studio.

One important thing to note here is that Vocodex works in Windowsin almost any DAW, however if you want to be able to use it with a Mac computer,you’ll only be able to through FL Studio.

I believe that Vocodex is an ideal plugin for beginners becauseof how straight forward and easy to use the interface is.

It also features voice doubling and reverb capabilities, aswell as up to 100 filter bands which are individually controllable, giving youloads of options for creating extremely precise sounds.

It’s a lot more basic than VocalSynth 2, but that is why it’sbetter for beginners.

Plus, it allows you to get straight to the point withoutwasting time going through all the features.

Features

• Speech enhancement contouring of noise ormodulator pass-through.
• Modulator noise reduction to reduce ambientnoise bleeding through carrier.
• Voice doubling and reverb capabilities.
• Built-in Soundgoodizer for limiting and warmoutput.
• Up to 100 bands individually locatable anywherein the spectrum.
• …and more!

You can find out more about Vocodex here.

Related: Are you looking for a new DAW? Here’s a list of the best DAWs currently available!

Morphoder by Waves Audio ($29)

This Vocoder plugin by Waves is not only powerful, but alsofeatures a built-in synth that works as a carrier.

However, this synth is pretty limited in the sense that itonly allows you to choose between 8 internal voice synthesizers.

The good news is that you can sidechain your own soundsources and completely ignore the built-in synth, should you want to.

It also comes with a 5-band EQ and some other features likeformant, smoothing and pressure controls.

As you can see, Morphoder is a very simple andstraightforward Vocoder plugin.

But what it lacks in flashiness it more than makes up in easeof use and overall effectiveness.

Just like Vocodex, I can definitely recommend Morphoder toany beginner and even pros.

Features

• 8-Voice stereo synthesizer
• Formant control
• Modulator with Linear Phase EQ
• MIDI control

You can find out more about Morphoder here.

XILS V+ by XILS Lab ($159)

The XILS V+ is a plugin based on Roland’s classic VP330which was comprised of a simple vocal synth, a very simple string synth and abasic vocoder.

The original Roland VP330 only does three things, but itdoes them in a style and quality, which have not yet been surpassed.

The plugin version combines a Vintage 10 band Vocoder,Supreme Top Octave Divider based Strings and Human Voices, or any sophisticatedlayering of these three elements.

It also features a couple new additions that the people at XILSLabs decided to include; A virtual keyboard, an Advanced Stereo Space effect, asimple but nice sounding reverb, an Analog like resonant Phaser, up to 6 freeassignable modulation nodes, and more…

If you’re looking for a simple and great sounding vocoder thatdoes these three things extremely well, and that is capable of a hugerange of related sounds that you can’t obtain from the original, then check outXILS V+.

Features

• Access to a lot of parameters which its hardwaremodel kept secret under the roof.
• One strings section.
• One human voices section.
• One 10 bands vocoder.
• A virtual keyboard
• …and more!

You can find out more about XILS V+ here.

Related: Here’s a list about the best Guitar VST Plugins.

Vocalizer PRO by Sonivox ($49)

If you’re looking for an affordable vocoder plugin thatstill performs incredibly well, then Vocalizer Pro might be for you.

It features a total of four Spectral Synthesis modules whichcan be routed in, around, and through each other in various combinations toincrease your sonic potential.

Now, add to this that each of these modules offers pitch shifting,filtering, and modulation using LFOs, and you can see how each module cancreate awesome sounds.

And since you can combine these modules in any way you like,the possibilities are endless.

Two rows of MIDI-mappable pads provide great performancecontrol.

The top row saves snapshots of parameter settings, while thebottom row stores multi-note chords for expressive real-time interaction.

Features

• Revolutionary MIDI-controlled audio effect
• Unparalleled vocoding, re-synthesis and signalprocessing from subtle to mind-blowing
• Expanded controls including FFT audio processingsuite
• Pitch shift, formant, improved frequency controland spreading
• Two rows of performance pads extend playabilityand live performance control

You can find out more about Vocalizer Pro here.

Lector by WaldorfMusic ($180)

The interface of Lector might seem a bit intimidating atfirst because of all the knobs and controls, however it’s pretty easy to use.

The analysis filter bank splits the incoming audio signalinto as many as 100 frequency bands, which basically means that you can getextremely detailed with the carrier if you want.

It comes with some unusual features such as; The Waldorfmultimode filter (12dB-24dB slopes), a whitening filter and a three-band EQ. Pro tools 2018 vst plugins.

The Lector also features two oscillators with analogwaveforms such as sine, triangle, sawtooth, square and more, as well as variouseffects such as distortion, delay and reverb.

Features

• 3 to 100 band Vocoder
• Adjustable range of Analysis Filter Bank
• Adjustable offsets and LFO modulation ofSynthesis Filter Bank
• 3-band Equalizer with variable mid band
• Individual Compressors for Speech and Carriersignal
• Voiced / Unvoiced Detector
• …and more!

You can find out more about Lector here.

Razor by Native Instruments $(99)

Native Instruments is known for creating some of the bestplugins out there, be it Guitar VST Plugins or even samplerplugins, and they all sound fantastic.

Razor is actually a soft synth but it comes with anexcellent 34-band vocoder function.

This vocoder function is capable of creating the classicvocoder sounds which we all know, but it also allows for more experimentationwhere you can come up with some pretty cool sounds.

You might be hesitant of purchasing this plugin because ofits price tag, but remember that you are getting an overall excellent synth aswell, and not just the vocoder function.

Features

• Detailed, dynamic additive synthesis
• Extreme sonic flexibility and morphability forboundless sound design
• Easy-to-use subtractive controls and uniquevisual feedback

You can fin out more about Razor here.

This concludes the list of the premium vocoder VST/AUplugins.

Now, let’s move on to the free ones…

Best Free Vocoder VST/AU Plugins

Paid Vs Free Vst Plugin

1. TAL-Vocoder by Togu Audio Line (Windows, Mac)
2. FBVC by Full Bucket Music (Windows, Mac)
3. VSMINI Vocoder by WOK (Windows only)
4. CANNABIS VOCODER BY BITSONIC (Windows only)
5. VINTAGE VOCODER BY SONICISM (Windows only)
6. Vocovee by g200kg (Windows only)
7. mda Vocoder by mda (Windows only)

TAL-Vocoder by Togu Audio Line (Free)

TAL-Vocoder is a vintage vocoder with 11 bands thatemulates the sound of vocoders from the early 80’s.

It includes analog modeled components in combination withdigital algorithms such as the SFFT (Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform).

This vocoder does not make a direct convolution of the carrier and modulation signal as other digital vocoders may do.

It includes an envelope follower for every of the elevenbands.

It is mostly been optimized for voice processing andincludes some algorithms for consonants to make the voice more intelligible.

Features

• 11 band vocoder engine.
• Internal carrier synth (pulse, saw, sub osc,noise, mono, poly, portamento, sync mode, tune).
• Possibility to route an external carrier signal.
• Harmonic control (adds more harmonics to anycarrier signal)
• …and more!

You can download TAL-Vocoder for free here.

FBVC by Full Bucket Music (Free)

The Full Bucket Vocoder FBVC is a plugin thatsimulates the classic KORG VC-10 Vocoder from 1978.

It emulates both the sound character and the signal chain ofsaid vocoder while still introducing some new features.

The front panel is pretty easy to use and it features thebasic controls such as; the global tuning control, the volume controls forcarrier and modulator, the vibrato controls and the built-in patch browser.

One cool feature about this vocoder plugin is that it can loada .WAV file, which will then be used by the modulator.

This means that you can avoid routing the audio around inyour DAW by simply loading the .WAV file onto the vocoder.

Features

• 20 band full stereo vocoder
• 64 voice polyphonic built-in Tone Generatorsection
• Accent Bending and Vibrato effects
• Optional WAV file playback
• Fully tweakable Analysis/Synthesis section
• …and more!

You can download FBVC for free here.

VSMINI Vocoder by WOK (Free)

VSMINI is a 20-band vocoder effect plugin based on theSennheiser Vocoder, however this one is a much more simplified version.

It features an internal carrier signal source with saw ornoise and optional MIDI control.

Also, an external signal can be used as the carrier on onechannel of the stereo input, the other channel receives the modulation signal.

An integrated noise generator for sibilance parts of the speechsignal improves articulation quality.

You can download VSMINI for free here.

CANNABIS VOCODER BY BITSONIC (Free)

Clearly, this isn’t your traditional vocoder plugin, as youmight have been able to make out from the name.

However, it really does have an interesting sound to it eventhough it’s quite a limited plugin.

It comes with a couple of built-in presets which sound a bitfunny… actually, the whole plugin sounds funny, but it’s pretty interesting aswell.

The mono version is an effect plugin, meaning it’s not a VSTinstrument.

The poly version is a VST instruments application, where youcan load the vocal track into the software and using the midi channel you cancreate a polyphonic vocoder.

You can download the Cannabis Vocoder for free here.

Vintage Vocoder by Sonicism (Free)

Vintage Vocoder was originally a commercial productpublished by Sonicism Digital Audio Solutions in 2002.

It was used for the robot voices and sound effects in thecomputer game Freelancer.

The interface is simple and easy to use, which is always nice,but it’s still a pretty powerful plugin, especially considering that it’s freeand pretty dated.

Features

• Screaming analogue style filtering:
• Versatile and powerful Filterbank for analyzingthe modulator signal:
• Onboard tone generator for use as the carriersignal:
• Modulate anything with anything.

You can download the Vintage Vocoder for free here.

Vocovee by g200kg (Free)

Vocovee is a VST Effect version of g200kg’s VocovVocoder and its features are pretty limited.

It does not have sidechain routing but it does have a lowerlatency, making it ideal for performances.

Free Vs Paid Vst

It also has an improved built-in synth which is nice.

Features

• Digital vocoder engine.
• Built-in 8 Voice polyphonic 3-OSC 2-LFO synth.
• 6-band Graphic EQ.
• Delay, Chorus and Reverb effects.

You can download Vocovee for free here.

Vocoder by mda (Free)

Paid Vs Free Vst Plugins

This is a really simple switchable 8 or 16 band vocoderplugin.

Its interface is extremely simple and it doesn’t reallyfeature anything out of the ordinary.

It’s basically an earlier and less sophisticated version ofthe Cubase Vocoder.

Note: The website is a bit outdated and the downloadlink isn’t that easy to find. It’s the second-to-last one on the “Plug-ins”section.

You can download the mda Vocoder for free here.

Conclusion

Vocoder plugins are super fun to use, especially the goodones.

I would recommend all the beginners to download a couple ofthe free ones first before moving on to the higher-end ones.

Paid Vs Free Antivirus

I hope this information was useful.

Paid Vs Free Vst Software

Have a nice day!