Voxomat
User's guide

Overview

Voxomat is a multi-concept modulator, combining audio-rate modulation with resonator banks. As such, it has strong harmonic shaping properties that's very distinct from clean harmonic resonators, sometimes resulting in stronger Lo-Fi qualities and inharmonic textures.

The plugin's main focus is to provide ways to create vocal patterns that can range from highly rhythmic to evolving ones, and apply these patterns onto any input signal.

The patterns created can be highly emergent in nature, arising from the combination of multiple LFOs and/or other modulation sources. While this does not provide the same directness as a hand-edited modulation envelope, it enables real-time mutation of the underlying components, instantaneously changing multiple data points in the entire modulation cycle.

Voxomat is designed to operate as a tempo-synced effect (a tempo override control is also available).

Main layout

The plugin has four tabs, selectable via the navigator strip on the left side. These are as follows (from top to bottom):

1. Overview tab: Main modulation controls + reduced LFO control set
2. Formant modulation: LFO 1-3 detail
3. Pitch modulation: LFO 4 (modulation sequencer)
4. Miscellaneous settings

Main parameters

BLEND	Dry / Wet control. In high-feedback modes, the dry component may be reduced in gain.
FEEDBACK	Activates the multi-stage mode of the effect. Can result in more intense amplitude spikes. NOTE: the default configuration (and the setting in most presets) of FEEDB.LIMIT is set to a balanced value that can be further lowered manually to reduce some gain increases experienced when changing the FEEDBACK parameter.
BODY	Controls the configuration of the resonator elements. Gives an overall LF boost, reduces inharmonic effects, but can alter frequency response nuances as sub-elements overlap.
TENSION	Controls the amplitude coupling in formant modulation. This can alter the character of the abstract "phrases" or talkative effects produced by the vocalizer. At its minimum, it slightly extends the upper frequency range beyond normal vocalization, also crossing into the territory of digital aliasing effects. Slight reduction in LFO hardness compared to the middle setting. At its maximum, it adds a snappiness / hardness to the effects of formant modulation. Some LFO configurations may see an increased shuffling effect, while others will just have the intended staccato quality. Tip: use RESO.CLIP for additional shaping at high TENSION settings, but be mindful of the feedback configuration when increasing RESO.CLIP from a lower setting.

BIAS	The center point of all formant modulation. Can be used as an additive component for the LFO1-3 complex (or the envelope follower). Tip: BIAS can be used as a full-on external modulation entry using AU param automation / live control (when internal modulation is deactivated). NOTE: When used this way, the lower half (depending on the TENSION) will be silent due to amplitude coupling.
CLAMP	Limits the extent of formant modulation, while retaining a mild amplitude modulation (rhythmic) effect even at maximum setting.
ATTACK	Adds inertia to rising edges of the formant modulation waveform
RELEASE	Adds inertia to falling edges of the formant modulation waveform
SENS	Envelope follower sensitivity. It's advised to set up and follow a standard with respect to gain staging if you intend to maintain a set of presets that are configured for envelope following.

Modulation type	Formant modulation selector. Currently available values: LFO complex / envelope follower.
Frequency	Base vocalizer frequency. Can be combined with pitch modulation in a quasi-additive way, where the "center" of pitch modulation can be moved using this parameter. Has no effect when pitch modulation amount is set to maximum.
INT CLOCK	Tempo override. If set to the actual host tempo, the transition is seamless when the switch is activated (and can be followed up by smooth manual changes using the rotary knob or automation).

RESO.CLIP	Clipping for the coupled amplitude in formant modulation. This is a fine-tuning parameter, and its effect can vary based on the configured modulation setup.
FEEDB.LIMIT	Automatic limiting of resonator amplitudes when feedback is engaged. When the value "raw" is selected, RESO.CLIP can be used to manually manage amplitudes. Higher settings can result in higher amplitudes, which can even be intermittent and thus unexpected. Exercise the utmost care when exploring such setups.

Formant modulation

The plugin has 3 LFOs that are synchronized by means of always being tempo-synced. In essence, the LFOs are multiplied together and modulate a single aspect of the effect.

At its full AMOUNT setting, LFO3 essentially replaces LFO1's AMOUNT setting.

LFO3 Polarity Sync

The [± ← 2] button essentially turns LFO2's output into a rectified waveform when LFO3 is in full effect (crossfading applies at partial setttings to this effect as well).

Using this setting can be very practical if you find only one half of LFO2's cycle useful or desirable, but you can use it as a performance tool for switching between different rhythmic characters.

Pitch modulation

Pitch modulation is available via a modulation sequencer on tab 3.

Primary Performance Controls

Due to the highly emergent nature of some modulation patterns, you can find it immensely helpful to highlight which controls should be prioritized for live performance or AU param / MIDI automation.

The editor is available on tab 2, on the right side of the top bar (⸬ icon). Only 2 controls can be selected at most.

Additional UI information

Button press UI idiom

To prioritize timing accuracy, buttons follow the "eager" UI idiom, similarly to how a hardware control would work (meaning you can't cancel by moving away the mouse cursor). Exempt are the buttons that don't directly tie in with the audio effect, like those in the preset browser.

Resetting controls

Standard reset functionality is via double tapping.

Double-sided phase controls can be reset by a single tap slightly above the "▼" marker.