Kyle from Olydian Music gave us a look at VC-01 Voicecrafter - a hardware vocal synthesizer with 380 selectable syllables. A touchpad selects syllables, and the keyboard plays them, with MIDI functionality also included. The instrument has two engines: a sample engine based on recordings of sung syllables, and a synthesis engine that uses wavetables and filters to imitate the human voice. The engines can be blended, with reverb and delay available.
The mixer section controls synth/sample balance, consonant/vowel mix, and consonant length. ADSR controls apply to either engine, and glide handles portamento. The sequencer allows entry of notes, live syllable editing, octave and tempo changes, loop point adjustment, and rests.
Engine-specific effects include sample chop, filter, and an autotune crossfade between processed and unprocessed sample versions. Pre-orders are planned soon, with availability next year and pricing expected around $2,000–$2,500.
More Info:
https://www.olydianmusic.com/