CYLON VOICES (How were they originally done?)

[GoldCylon]

So you need 2 devices to acheive the Cylon voice sound fx? The Vocoder 2000 and a Oberheim OB 8 analog keybaord? Just curious, what is the connection hookup of the devices? Also, how do you know if this was done in the original tv series to ge tthe Cylon voice? Did you contact the audio engineer on the show? I'm just curious of this whole process which seems a bit complicated, but well worth it. Thanks.

Just a guess on my part, that it does seem a bit complicated to understand, but working with it once you have it in hand it would be some what simpler to work with, but gettng the correct settings, now that would take some time. Glad Chris is here to help with the figure it out part.

[chrisd]

Here is how a vocoder works. Before I explain how one works just imagine your mouth open no sound coming out, you need to use your voice chords in order to hear sound. Now you start using your vocal chords and "shaping" your lips and mouth to emphasize what we call "words". In a vocoder you plug a microphone into the "input". If you start talking you will hear your own voice. Now, to achieve "vocoded" (voice coded) vocals you plug an instrument into the carrier input of the vocoder, for example, a guitar or a keyboard and start playing a 'C' note, the guitar/keyboard 'C' note REPLACES your own voice chords and you now sound like a robotic 'C' note. To give you a better idea on how a vocoder works look here at how a vocoder is used: Hope this helps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqvvNcvenU

[chrisd]

By the way,, I DON'T KNOW THE GUY IN THIS VIDEO!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqvvNcvenU

[GoldCylon]

By the way,, I DON'T KNOW THE GUY IN THIS VIDEO!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqvvNcvenU

I thought it might be you, well a flamboyant version of you. LoL

[chrisd]

No, I thought I was the Cylon cartoon jamming on the keyboard, remember that little pic?!!!!

[GoldCylon]

No, I thought I was the Cylon cartoon jamming on the keyboard, remember that little pic?!!!!

Oh this guy

[chrisd]

No, I thought I was the Cylon cartoon jamming on the keyboard, remember that little pic?!!!!

Oh this guy

[Galactifan]

By the way,, I DON'T KNOW THE GUY IN THIS VIDEO!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqvvNcvenU

Hi Chris, Thanks for the video! That totally helps me to understand how a vocoder works. AWESOME!!!

[chrisd]

No problem! Glad I could help. By the way that particular vocoder was the Roland SVC-350 and they are CONSTANTLY on Ebay. I paid $500.00 for mine about 18 years ago!! That is about the LEAST expensive vocoder that is analog and from the early 1980's

[Galactifan]

Can anyone verify this info posted by a YouTube user...

" VOCODERLOVER1:
The Cylons used the EMS Studio-System Vocoder 5000 and NOT the Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder!!! Plus a ring-modulator as well."





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[Galactifan]

Also, an interesting Vocoder discussion can be found here...
http://www.tv.com/battlestar-galactica- ... /msgs.html






.

[chrisd]

No, actually that is a conversation between another gentleman (Vocoderlover) and I (Chrisd). He, just like I, have done research on vocoders and we both know are stuff on analog vintage vocoders and both believe that there are alot of IDIOTS out there who "claim" the Cylons voices were done by a certain brand vocoder when in fact we both agree that the REAL brand was EMS (Electronic Music Studios) Vocoder from the late 1970's that was used in production for BSG with a ring modulater.

Vocoderlover has done further research than me to the point where he got the gentleman's name who was behind the Cylon voices. His name is Michael Santiago!!!!!!

[GoldCylon]

What a dialog between Chris and the other poster on that TV.com page. Nice read.
I remember when Chris was so excited to get the now wish he never bought Vocoder, it was such a disappointment when it wasn't the correct Vocoder. I wish him luck in getting a EMS unit again.

[chrisd]

Well, even though this was NOT the vocoder used in production of BSG to create the voices of the Cylons, it was a pleasant experience owning this machine and here is what the unit sounds like!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REIcAHcpYbw

[GoldCylon]

I placed in the Cylon Voice folder your sample work, thanks again.

http://byyourcommand.net/photogallery/Cylon-voices