Vowelis 2.0, created by Zion Bublil or Ziob, is a groundbreaking device with a focus on vowel-based audio transformation, allowing users to generate unique soundscapes that mimic human speech patterns. This is accomplished through ingenious use of formant emphasis technology, wherein an audio source— the broader, the better in terms of harmonic range— is transformed to exhibit vowel-like features. The tool is versatile in its modulation capabilities, offering four methods: MIDI, song time synchronization, attack detection, and an independent inner metronome. These triggers are highly customizable, allowing a silken transition between various vowels, thereby enriching the output sound.
One innovative hallmark of Vowelis 2.0 is its MIDI triggering feature, which extends the flexibility of dynamically calling vowels from any point in your Ableton Live set, with exclusive compatibility for Live 11. This playability is ideal wherever the live manipulation of audio is required, making it effortless to weave a narrative in a performance or an engagement, demonstrating the real-time power of Live.
The device conceals a substantial catalogue of nine vowels, which the users can access through a menu bar. Numbers represent these vowels, which you can input within a text box, facilitating the creation of vowel sequences which can later be saved as presets. This capability forms an essential part of Vowelis 2.0's workflow, enabling users to swiftly recall complex sequences as required, ultimately accelerating the creative process.
Vowelis 2.0 is packed with features designed to expand your sound spectrum. The Glissando parameter offers additional flexibility, and the built-in basic synthesizer expands the potential of the device, allowing you to shape your sound on the fly. The device also includes Left and Right Frequency Shifters that further contribute to the expansive and far-reaching sound spectrum that it is capable of delivering.
Comprehensive documentation accompanies the device to ensure smooth operation, this includes detailed instructions at the Live Info view window for each button, comprehensive interactive tooltips triggered by the 'H' button and a ReadMe file embedded within the device for instant help.
Despite being a powerful tool for sculpting unique vocal-centric soundscapes, Vowelis 2.0 does not generate sound of its own and completely relies on an external audio source. Therefore, it's crucial to feed it a rich, harmonic sound source for obtaining the best results.
Download Vowelis 2.0 from the MaxforLive library webpage, where it operates best on Ableton Live 12.0.5. You can also access full support at [email protected]. Please note this device has a commercial license and no free versions exist. More details can be found at [https://payhip.com/b/i57zH]. You can also gather more information about the device at [https://maxforlive.com/library/device/11614/vowelis].
Remember, like any creative tool, Vowelis 2.0 offers maximum reward when you take the time to truly explore its depths, encouraging exploration through its unique user interface. The device is perfect for those seeking unique, vowel-based audio manipulation in Ableton Live, offering a fresh take on sound processing that emphasizes creativity through the use of MIDI to trigger vowel transformations.
Example Usage
To get started with Vowelis 2.0, let's explore a simple example to understand how to use its fundamental features for audio manipulation in Ableton Live.
- Choose Your Audio Source: Start by selecting an audio track in your Ableton Live project. For best results, pick an audio clip rich in harmonics, such as a synth pad using saw or square waveforms, or even a vocal sample.
- Load Vowelis 2.0: Drag and drop Vowelis 2.0 from your Max For Live devices into your selected audio track. This will place the device post-fader, allowing it to process the audio output of the track.
- Understand the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the Vowelis 2.0 interface. You'll notice a menu bar with 9 vowels, a text box for sequencing, and various other controls.
- Create a Vowel Sequence: Click in the text box and enter numbers corresponding to different vowels you want to use. For instance, entering "1 2 3" might assign the sequence to vowels A, E, and I, depending on the preset mapping.
- Save Your Preset: To save this sequence, follow the instructions on your operating system: - On PC, use Shift + Left Click on a slot to save. - On Mac, press CMD + Shift + Left Click. - For deleting, add Alt (PC) or Option (Mac) along with Shift + Left Click.
- Trigger the Vowels: Decide how you want to trigger these vowels: - Use MIDI input from a separate MIDI track (only available on Live 11 or newer). - Rely on the song's timeline using the song time method. - Utilize the audio-in envelope's attack to initiate vowels. - Engage the inner metronome with adjustable BPM for triggering. - Manually slide through vowels using a MIDI controller or the on-screen number box.
- Explore Additional Features: Experiment with further customizations like the Glissando parameter for smooth transitions, frequency shifting for altered tonal balance, and the built-in synthesizer to add unique textures.
This novice-level example will help you create engaging audio transformations, using the distinctive vowel-based shaping capabilities of Vowelis 2.0 to make your audio "talk" in a musical context. With practice, you will find even more creative ways to utilize this powerful tool in your productions.
Incorporating Vowelis 2.0 into your Ableton Live session can significantly add a new layer of vocal-like texture to your audio tracks. Let’s delve into an intermediate-level example that utilizes Vowelis 2.0's potential for vowel-based transformations:
Begin by selecting a rich harmonic audio source, such as a saw wave synth line. You'll want to emphasize harmonics as Vowelis 2.0 thrives on these for producing distinct vowel sounds. Insert Vowelis 2.0 on the audio track containing your synth line.
Next, explore triggering vowels via the MIDI method. Create a new MIDI track to send MIDI notes to Vowelis 2.0. This feature allows you to seamlessly transition between vowels in a customizable sequence as your music evolves. Make sure your MIDI track is configured to send MIDI signals to Vowelis 2.0 and choose which MIDI notes correspond to the desired vowels on Vowelis’ menu bar. For instance, map vowel ‘A’ to C3, ‘E’ to D3, and continue with other mappings.
Once the MIDI routing is set, input a sequence of MIDI notes that will cycle through different vowels in sync with your synth line. This approach is particularly effective for creating dynamic vocal effects in electronic music genres.
For added expressive control, map a MIDI controller to the Glissando parameter. This will allow you to smoothly transition between vowels, adding fluidity and expressiveness to the sound. Adjust the Left and Right Frequency Shifters to create stereo width, further enhancing the vowel articulations and making them stand out in the mix.
Experiment with the Attack Detection feature by sidechaining the Vowelis 2.0 device to a rhythmic element in your track, such as a kick drum. This approach ensures vowels are triggered by the drum's transients, perfect for achieving a rhythmic speaking effect — almost as if your track is engaging in a rhythmic conversation.
Finally, sculpt the sound further using the panoramic sound settings and synth parameters provided in Vowelis 2.0. With these controls, you can fine-tune the spectral imprint of the vowels across the stereo field, creating a richer and more engaging auditory experience.
Engaging these techniques requires practice and experimentation, but they will significantly expand your creative toolkit, offering new avenues to explore expressive sound design with Vowelis 2.0 in Ableton Live.
Further Thoughts
To truly harness the creative potential of Vowelis 2.0, it's crucial to explore its ability to transform audio into dynamic, vowel-based textures, adding a unique layer of expression to your projects in Ableton Live. For this expert-level example, let’s delve into a complex audio manipulation technique leveraging Vowelis 2.0’s advanced features.
Start by selecting a rich harmonic audio source. Generating a sound from a saw wave synth with added distortion will provide an excellent foundation. Load the Vowelis 2.0 device onto the audio track to begin shaping these sounds into vowel-like expressions.
Vowel Control Through MIDI: Utilize the MIDI triggering capability to dynamically control the vowel transitions. Create a MIDI track in Live and route it to the track with Vowelis. In a MIDI clip, input specific notes corresponding to your desired vowels as indicated by Vowelis (e.g., C3 for 'A', D3 for 'E', etc.). This setup allows you to sequence vowel changes in real-time, syncing them with other elements in your live set.
Intricate Rhythmic Structures Using Inner Metronome: Switch to the inner metronome mode and experiment with various BPM settings. Activate the random rhythmic phrases feature to introduce unpredictability and variation. This can be particularly effective in a breakdown section, where randomized vowel changes sweep across your mix, resulting in a textured, evolving soundscape.
Enhanced Articulation with Glissando and Frequency Shifting: Focus on the device's Glissando parameters. Set the Glissando to a subtle mode to create smooth transitions between vowels, imitating the fluidity of human vocal transitions. Experiment with different frequency shifting settings for both the left and right channels. This will expand the stereo field and imbue your audio with a panoramic depth, crucial for building an engaging listening experience.
Manual Vowel Manipulation and Preset Sequencing: Use a MIDI controller mapped to the vowel number box to manually navigate between different vowels. This approach is beneficial during live performances, offering tactile control and spontaneity. Prepare by saving different sequences of vowels as presets. On your PC, use Shift + left-click on a slot to save; add Alt to delete unwanted presets. For Mac users, employ CMD + Shift + left-click and add Option to delete presets. Trigger these sequences live to inject pre-designed transformations into your performance.
By incorporating these techniques, you can unlock the full potential of Vowelis 2.0, seamlessly integrating vowel transformations into your compositions in new and inventive ways. Dive into your Ableton Live sessions armed with these strategies to elevate your audio manipulation to an expert level.