vocoder

[ voh-koh-der ]

noun

1. an electronic device that synthesizes speech.

vocoder

/ ˈvəʊˌkəʊdə /

noun

1. music a type of synthesizer that uses the human voice as an oscillator

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocoder¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Martin spent the set switching among the saxophone, synths, the vocoder and doing live production.

From Los Angeles Times

For “One of Your Girls,” a needy song with the lyrics “Give me a call if you ever get lonely/I’ll be like one of your girls or your homies,” Sivan turned to a vocoder, which synthesized his voice.

From Seattle Times

As guitarists plucked the tune of “Sabor a Mí,” a classic Mexican bolero, he began to sing, his voice transformed through a vocoder to eerie and achingly modern effect.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1978, Mr. Sakamoto released his debut solo album, “Thousand Knives,” a trippy amalgam that opens with the musician reciting a poem by Mao through a vocoder, followed by a reggae beat and a procession of Herbie Hancock-inspired improvisations.

From New York Times

And with this track, they gave us a gem: another Herbie Hancock vocoder song!

From New York Times