Always consult the official Owners Manuals first!
March 2024: all pages have been checked and are up-to-date

Formant block

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Vowels.png

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 at the top.

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

Simulate 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:

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".

Talkbox in Wikipedia.

Emphasize frequencies

The Formant can be used to emphasize frequencies, for example when creating a "Seek Wah". Put the Formant after the Wah block.

Make other sounds more vocal-like

Insert the Formant in the chain to make other sounds more like human vocals.

Prevent 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.