October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Formant block
Contents
Available on which products
- Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
- Axe-Fx II: 1 block
- FX8: 1 block
- AX8: 1 block
X/Y and channels
- Axe-Fx III: 4 channels
- Axe-Fx II: no
- FX8: no
- AX8: no
What does Formant do
The Formant filter simulates human vowel sounds. See picture above.
More information in Wikipedia and the Owner's Manuals.
Parameters
| Parameter | Axe-Fx III | Axe-Fx II | AX8, FX8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Vowel | yes | ||
| Middle Vowel | yes | ||
| End Vowel | yes | ||
| Resonance | yes | ||
| Control | yes |
Tips
Simulating a talkbox
The Formant effect lets you simulate a talkbox and, if you really really must, play Livin' on a Prayer. Attach a controller to the Control parameter in the Formant block, either an internal controller such as a LFO, or a pedal.
Forum discussions:
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-recordings/55728-talkbox-livin-prayer.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/ultra-zone/33366-living-prayer-need-help.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/share-request-patches/30949-looking-its-my-life-talkboxeffekt.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/share-request-patches/22642-living-prayer-talk-box.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-wish-list/57554-talk-box-digital-wireless.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/69277-ideal-output-level-effects-loop-output-2-a.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/81794-need-help-w-talk-box-effect.html
- http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/living-on-a-prayer-without-an-expression-pedal.123521
A real talkbox doesn't use a speaker, so experiment with leaving out a Cab block.
Want tips for integrating your real talkbox to your Axe-Fx rig? Search the forum for "banshee".
Emphasizing frequencies
The Formant can be used to emphasize frequencies, for example when creating a "Seek Wah". Put the Formant after the Wah block.
Preventing clipping
Because of the resonant frequencies of the Formant filter, it's easy to make the digital signal clip. Make sure to keep ample headroom in the preset level.
