The very first Prosoniq Orange Vocoder impressed many producers at the end of the 90s. Vocoders are simply very versatile. Be it for pure vocal design, rhythmic pads, robot voices, ethereal vocal washes, or just for special sound design. But Zynaptiq Orange Vocoder 4 from Zynaptiq beats everything I’ve heard so far.

You get 24 distinct vocoders in the vocoder section. Thus, they went considerably beyond simply copying some old equipment; this tool is much more advanced. Using its cross-synthesis algorithms, this device provides a variety of creative methods to combine sounds. Some completely transform the signal, while others add an analog behavior or give it a gritty feel.

It is significantly more versatile than vocoding. It might sound eerie, demonic, or grainy — anything is possible.

Additionally, the Zynaptiq Orange Vocoder has an integrated virtual analog synthesizer (64 voices, 2 Osc, Sync, Filter, FM, and Distortion) that can be used as a carrier waveform. Of course, you can also use an external signal, but the integrated synth is rather potent. It features a self-oscillating ladder filter, up to nine voices in unison mode and linear FM, ring modulation, and sync. In addition, unlike other vocoders, it comes with an automatic tuning effect, which makes it a flexible instrument for producing vocal harmony layers.

To produce massive drone sounds, incredibly ambient soundscapes, or washy pads, there is even a freeze option built in. I find it particularly interesting when you automate this. This way, rhythmic activation can produce great results.

Another really great time-saving solution is the hover menus for many functions. If you hover over the menu with the mouse, you switch TEMPORARILY to this setting. This lets you quickly compare the different options and promptly decide which is best suited for the current purpose. Once you have found the setting, you confirm your module choice with a click. It couldn’t be simpler or more intuitive.

The most crucial elements, such as formant shift, vocoder mode, and synthesizer macro, are provided on the overview page. However, if you require more information, simply click on the module header to access its detail page, which contains more module settings.

It’s clear that Zynaptiq spent a lot of effort creating an efficient workflow. Here, all you have to do is choose your preferred basic sound from the hover menu and, if needed (which is frequently not even the case), open the detailed parameters to adjust them further. Using other tools of this kind, you frequently become bogged down in the intricate details and fail to get the desired outcome, whereas the Zynaptiq Orange Vocoder only requires a few clicks to accomplish. This has taken a lot of time and work under the hood to deliver the best sound with a few clicks — excellent!

Numerous presets are available for harmonizing, drones, MIDI-controlled vocoders, one-note vocoder sounds, and much more. Since the intelligent randomize function produces results that are generally useful—something that cannot be said of all random dice buttons—it is also incredibly intriguing and motivating. The lock function is very useful because it allows you to exclude individual areas from the random function.

As Zynaptiq added zero latency at analog-modeled vocoder modes, this unit can also be used live. Last but not least the colors are tastefully chosen, and the scalable GUI is easily understood.

However, how does it all sound? Magnificent! The instrument is unique and makes an impression with a warm, present, and most importantly, incredibly adaptable sound that you won’t find anyplace else. Additionally, the speech intelligibility is at the best possible level.

Final Verdict

Zynaptiq Orange Vocoder 4 is a limitless sound design toolbox. None of the Vocoder VSTs, in my opinion, sound as precise and thorough as this one! I’ve never seen or heard a vocoder with so much detail. It’s the greatest available!

Visit my BLOG for other vst recommendations, production tips and more!

Cheers,
Oliver Schmitt aka Sounds of Revolution (SOR)