The Vocal Sounds of Roger Troutman

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MisterGrove

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I thought I would post a little information regarding the vocal sounds of Roger Troutman (of Zapp). I noticed on this forum that people are talking about his signature talkbox sound and what it is and how it's produced. Here is what I do know...

1. Roger has always used a "talkbox" not a vocoder. If you're not familiar with what a talkbox is, use your search engine to surf the net for information on this classic device and it's many incarnations.

2. Roger only used 2 different keyboards as the sound source for his talkbox sound: Minimoog Synth and Yamaha Dx100.

3. The actually sound was a Sawtooth patch that he tweaked and shaped then ran through his custom made talkbox. He favored the EH Golden Throat but that talkbox is no longer in production and after a while he just made his own to cut cost.

4. If you possess a Yamaha Dx100 the sound you really want to tweak and mess with is found in Bank D, #17 which is the FM Sawtooth. Using this one patch, you can obtain all of the different vocal effects you heard him use numerous times on his tracks with Zapp and his featured work with rappers on the east and west coasts.

5. To sound clear on the talkbox requires you talking and singing normally but without your own voice being heard thus holding youe voice back... 2 techniques for this, a very low whisper or the holding of your breath while saying the words in your song.

6. Practice makes perfect they say... so that's what you need to do if you wanna reach the level of play as Roger expressed with his talkbox.

If you have any questions, post them here and I will answer them...

Mister Groove!
 
Thats some good info, Another up and comming master of the Talk Box is BOSKO KANTE from California. Have yall heard his skills... OFF THE CHAIN
 
Hey Mistergroove,

I need some advice about using a talkbox. You seem to be pretty knowlegable about obtaining the "Roger Troutman" sound. I just began messing around with the talkbox and I hooked it up to a Yamaha Motif ES8. I have found a few sounds that I'm content with, although it isn't the exact sound of Roger Troutman, but it's close. I want to incorporate it into a few of my recordings and beats but I need some advice on some technique and I was curious to see if you had any tips? My problem is that I can't make the consenent letters of words sound clear. Like the letters S, D, B, T, Ch, etc. I think overall, my sound can be more clear but I know it comes with practice. I do have a little trouble keeping the tube in my mouth but do you know of any tips that you can add onto the tube that can help it stay in your mouth and/or can help with making words sound more clear? What is the best way of recording the talkbox onto a track? Is it just simply putting it on a mic or is there a way to divert the sound as a direct signal to a recording device or mixer? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Unfadeable Isaiah
 
Mister Groove what up man? As you know CreativeStyles has my setup now but here is my question how can I get that patch for my motif?

Holla @ me or creativestyles peace
 
Fingazz from L.A. is good wit da Talkbox, so is MC Magic off NB Ridaz
 
Are there any possibilities that you can create this effect using software only? If so, what should I use?
 
Artoscope said:
Are there any possibilities that you can create this effect using software only? If so, what should I use?
Click to expand...


no.....

Unfadeable Isaiah said:
it isn't the exact sound of Roger Troutman, but it's close.
Click to expand...


Your talkbox sounds will NEVER sound exactly like Roger Troutman (or anybody elses talkbox sounds) because the talkbox you are using is resonating through your mouth.

It is the same concept as the human voice.

There is a "vibration" and it resonates around the position of your mouth, tongue, teeth and cheeks and general mouth shape and bone structure.

...the only difference is that instead of the oscillator (or "vibration") being your "vocal cords", it instead is your "synthesizer chords" (for all you fans of "homonyms" out there :) )
 
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This reply has no informitave value at all. It is just here as a blaring affectionate nod towards anyone who knows who Roger Troutman is past "guy with weird voice on all the Death Row songs".
 
Good question there, Isaiah. What Is the best way of recording talkbox performances? Do you use a condenser or dynamic mic? How close to the mouth? My results (condenser) have always been kinda tinny and to roomy. So someone, please share. Great info about the Dx-100 and presets and all by the way!

Cheers,

Maxim
 
Roger Troutman C is C patch

Hi

There are a presets of Roger Troutman here:

kvraudio.com/banks.php?s=list&product=108&order=date

This preset works very well on FM8 software with a Midi controller keyboard.

I used this way.

BuMeR
 
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