Auto Talk Box FX Chain

By Craig Anderton

This unique FX Chain creates a virtual “talk box” effect. Although based on my Virtual Talk Box design from early 2022, this updated version adds the option to follow your playing’s dynamics. You can also control it manually, or with a MIDI foot pedal.

The effect is surprisingly “mouth-like”—check out the audio example, which uses the envelope follower option. Some analog delay echo supplements the Auto Talk Box effect.

Figure 1: Macro Controls for the Auto Talk Box FX Chain.

Fig. 1 shows the FX Chain’s control panel:

• Mouth chooses the talk box effect’s frequency range. • Resonance makes the vocal effect more or less pronounced. • Adjust Sensitivity to follow your playing’s dynamics. For manual or foot pedal control, defeat the envelope follower by turning Sensitivity all the way down. • Sens Range compresses the input signal to restrict the dynamics. This makes the effect easier to “tame.” Turn clockwise for a more sensitive range, or counterclockwise for a less sensitive range. • Set Env Release for the shortest release, consistent with a smooth sound during the release phase. • For the maximum talk box effect, turn Mix Dry/Wet fully clockwise.

Fig. 2 shows the FX Chain’s signal flow. The Splitter uses normal mode. Each Autofilter covers a different frequency range, but their cutoff frequencies vary simultaneously.

Figure 2: The effects used in the Audio Talk Box FX Chain.

Fig. 3 shows the settings for one of the three Autofilters. The Macro Controls affect the same parameters in each Autofilter.

Figure 3: The lowest-frequency Autofilter. The other two have almost identical settings.

The only difference among the three Autofilters is the Cutoff control frequency range. They each have different minimum and maximum cutoff frequencies, as set by the Transition settings in the FX Chain’s Macro Controls Mapping window (accessed by clicking on the Wrench in the Macro Controls panel).

Like any level-sensitive effect, experiment with the control settings to accommodate your playing dynamics, instrument output level, sensitivity settings, and personal preferences. The general workflow is to set the Mouth control to a low frequency, then edit Sensitivity to match your dynamics. If the dynamics are too sensitive, restrict the range by turning the Sens Range control more counterclockwise. After dialing in the best dynamic response, re-visit the Mouth control to set your preferred frequency range.

Part wah, part envelope follower, and part pseudo-talk box, this is a fun FX Chain. So go ahead, download it—and have some fun!

Download the Auto Talk Box FX Chain here