Manipulating Vocals Using Arduino

Arduino Music

In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

View more articles by Michael Colombo

September 28th, 2012 6

Amanda Ghassaei made a vocal effects box that digitizes the human voice using the granular synthesis function on Arduino. Audio comes in at 40khz, is digitized, then outputted in 8 bit sound.

Melodies sung are distinct in both tone and timbre, as evidenced by the Somewhere Over the Grainbow sample track. But the granular synthesis introduces it’s own distinct tonal characteristics to change the sound as it’s being digitized. The result could easily be blended into your favorite electronic tracks.

Amanda posted an Instructable on the project, including steps on how to create the handsome triangular enclosure she made.

[via The Arduino Blog]