H9 Vocal Wah Talk Box Approximation?

[axman53]

Can anyone steer me in the right direction to configure the H9 Vocal Wah algorithm to approximate the talk box sound on Frampton’s Show Me the Way? I’m playing around with it and getting nowhere. Thanks for any pointers.

[brock]

I have to assume you’re using an expression pedal for this.  There are other ways, where some of this would still apply.  Q-Wah – Intensity cranked – Vocal Wah – or Bass Vocal Wah, for extended range.  Manual Shape, with Manual Mod mapped to the expression pedal.  Neutralizing all of the secondary modulation controls, to start off.

I think one of the keys to this (and it will still be just an approximation) is to cross over the Start Vowel & End Vowels.  Also map expression from BEAT to BIRD in Start Vowel.  And in the opposite direction, from BIRD to BEAT for End Vowel.  Lots of fine-tuned variations by narrowing down each Vowel range on the two pedal mappings.  Intensity can get dialed down for more.

Foot position varies the crossover points.  I never hurts to feed it some extra harmonics (distortion).  More complexity available by using two Q-Wahs in Parallel, at slightly different settings.  When you’re happy with the results, you can put it over-the-top by folding in a Flanger, also controlled by expression.  Lots of feedback, and ‘crossing over’ ultra-short delays in a similar way.

[axman53]

Yes, using an expression pedal. Thanks for a wonderfully detailed reply. I will update with results when I can get back to it…

[axman53]

brock wrote:

I have to assume you’re using an expression pedal for this. There are other ways, where some of this would still apply. Q-Wah – Intensity cranked – Vocal Wah – or Bass Vocal Wah, for extended range. Manual Shape, with Manual Mod mapped to the expression pedal. Neutralizing all of the secondary modulation controls, to start off.

I think one of the keys to this (and it will still be just an approximation) is to cross over the Start Vowel & End Vowels. Also map expression from BEAT to BIRD in Start Vowel. And in the opposite direction, from BIRD to BEAT for End Vowel. Lots of fine-tuned variations by narrowing down each Vowel range on the two pedal mappings. Intensity can get dialed down for more.

Foot position varies the crossover points. I never hurts to feed it some extra harmonics (distortion). More complexity available by using two Q-Wahs in Parallel, at slightly different settings. When you’re happy with the results, you can put it over-the-top by folding in a Flanger, also controlled by expression. Lots of feedback, and ‘crossing over’ ultra-short delays in a similar way.

Yes, using an expression pedal. Q-Wah algo set to Voc-Wah. I don’t see a “manual shape”. I see a shape-expression pedal. Also an ADSR which I have no idea what that means. Several other shape settings, but nothing that says “manual”. For MOD I have a MOD SOURCE which can be set to expression pedal. This is getting hard to describe in words. Can you post a pic of how you would set it up???

[brock]

axman53 wrote:

Yes, using an expression pedal. Q-Wah algo set to Voc-Wah. I don’t see a “manual shape”. I see a shape-expression pedal. Also an ADSR which I have no idea what that means. Several other shape settings, but nothing that says “manual”. For MOD I have a MOD SOURCE which can be set to expression pedal. This is getting hard to describe in words. Can you post a pic of how you would set it up???

100% my mistake, in conflating the H90 “Manual” nomenclature with the H9’s use of “EXP PED” (as well as in the latter suggested enhancements).  It means the same thing.  Unfortunately – for our purposes here – selecting EXP PED causes it to ignore any other expression pedal mappings in the H9.

You may want to skip that Shape / Manual step, until I can tailor my response specifically to an H9.  The best images would come from screenshots of H9 Control.  In the meantime, try mapping just the Start / End Vowels to expression, in opposite directions.  To simplify the process, you’ll want to save those “extra” Mod controls for later on.

ADSR is taken from a common synthesizer term for a contour or envelope generator.  Variable Attack time – Decay time – Sustain level – Release time.  In this case, it’s all pre-determined, fixed times & levels.  That brief sequence is triggered from your input, and dependent on your Sensitivity value.  It can be difficult to figure out; and often with subtle modulation.

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