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  1. Tutorials
  2. Vocal Techniques

How to make Aphex Twin-style demonic vocals

Tuition
By Computer Music Specials published 9 March 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Resampling

Resampling

Step 1: Unsurprisingly, deep or male vocals work best for this Aphex Twin-style effect. First, resample your original vocal - we’re using this one:

Lower it by three or four semitones in pitch, keeping the timing the same. Lower the volume on the original sample slightly and resample the two together. This should produce a thick, cavernous sound.

For more vocal production tricks, check out Computer Music Special: Vocals (CMS46) which is available now from selected newsagents and www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk.

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Page 1 of 5
Distortion

Distortion

Step 2: Place a distortion plug-in such as Audio Damage’s free FuzzPlus 2 on the new recording. Set the Fuzz and Tone to be moderate, but not overpowering. Depending on the pitch of your original recording, you may need to experiment to get it right.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
White noise generator and vocoder

White noise generator and vocoder

Step 3: Discard everything apart from the resampled audio. Now add in a MIDI channel and a new audio channel. Add a synth with a white noise generator to the MIDI channel and a vocoder to the new audio track.

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Page 3 of 5
Routing

Routing

Step 4: Set the synth to produce white noise only and draw in one long MIDI note, the length of the vocal sample. Route the MIDI to the vocoder channel as the carrier. Route the vocal to the vocoder channel as the modulator.

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Page 4 of 5
EQ

EQ

Step 5: Adding EQ can make the vocal clearer. If your DAW has formant presets, try these as they emphasise the natural throat sounds. If the result is too noisy, lower the distortion earlier in the signal flow. Finally, some very gentle delay on the output can add an atmospheric finishing touch. Here’s the end result:

Liked this? Now read: How to make Daft Punk-style voice effects

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Computer Music Specials
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