What about the button to turn on/off the A/D input? Should be lit bright orange.

Hi Gary.
There are several settings to adjust before to use the mic for vocoder or as a simply mic.

I have made a page dedicated for vocoder on Moessieurs.

Even if the site is French, you can use the google translator tool on top banner, not perfect but enought to understand.

Check this page :
http://www.moessieurs.com/vocoder-base.html

Section : "Vocoder settings to use".

Be sure to have a dynamic microphone, you cannot use a static microphone with Montage.

Like Jason write, be sure also to turn on/off the A/D input, it should be lit bright orange and turn the A/D Level too.

ok the AD input is def on.. I am using an SM58 so should be good. will check out the link Joel thanks.

Hi, SM 58 it's good, select in utility "Mic", on the performance, select the good entry for mic left or right, the ouput MainL&R, be sure the A/D input level is good, select A/D as source for vocoder insertion FX, enjoy the vocoder 😉

You can also set, as a test, A/D's output routing to Main L&R which should have your voice go straight out Mains with or without vocoder.

Hi i have seen the video on how to set up the vocoder and it does not work for me - it may be because i am using a performance made up of 16 parts for General Midi.

I have my vocoder all set up as per video and in my DAW track 16 is the init normal AWM2 which is a 101 saw - vocoder is set as the effect and A/D the modulator. Worth mentioning this is a work in progress track so all other parts and midi channels are sound great.

I know that when using a vocoder track you wont hear any sound unless you press the keys and speak in the mic... so the part works as no sound is audible when i just press the keys - but when i speak nothing comes out either... montage is my Audio device too.

when i turn the Gain for the AD input i dont get a peak - its like no sound is coming in from the mic - i know the mic is working

anyone know what is going on?

Thanks

Before setting up the Vocoder a warning is important. Because so often the forgotten setting is made only after all volumes have been increased to maximum, a danger of extremely LOUD output exists. Also anytime an open microphone is near the speakers set to output the sound of that microphone - a danger of intense feedback exists. Keep microphone a fair distance from the speakers. And if feedback occurs do not, repeat do not cover the microphone (this only makes it worse) - simply point the microphone away from the speakers. That said:

The Vocoder can be used on any Part and can be used in a 16 Part "Multi/GM" Performance.

Checklist and Recommendation
Call up your Performance
Plug your SM58 into the Left A/D Input using a TRS (female) to TS 1/4" (male) cable
In UTILITY > Audio I/O > set the Mic/Line = MIC
Press [EXIT] to return to your Performance
From the HOME screen
Press [EDIT]
Press [COMMON]
Touch "Audio In"
Set the A/D Input Mode = L Mono

NEXT: Set the Gain for the Mic using the front panel A/D Input switch and Gain control
Peak indicator should flash red only on very loudest Peaks.
If you prefer to hear only the Vocoder encoded Voice set the "Output Select" = Off

Press [PART SELECT 16]
Touch lower [COMMON] button
Touch "Effect" > touch "Routing"

Set INSERT A "Type" = Vocoder and set the "Modulator" = A/D

touch the "Ins A" box in the second column to view the edit parameters of the Vocoder.
Find the DRY/WET parameter.
Control the balance between the SYNTH sound (Dry) and the VOCODER sound (Wet)
Set to taste.

If you are not getting the Vocoder sound when set "all Wet" (as shown above), slowly increase the Synth VOLUME of PART 16... this can be done by raising FADER #8 or by navigating to the "Part Settings" > "General" screen where you control this VOLUME. If the Synth sound output is too low, naturally the vocoder result will not have enough signal to work with. Raise slowly while triggering notes and speaking into the microphone.

Some source sounds are better candidates for Vocoding than others.
Alternative Method: the Factory Presets include several PARTs setup for Vocoder use, you can always COPY one of these to your Performance.

Hope that helps. Let us know.

HI - so it appears i had it correct at the start but i could not hear it as the level was so low??

I need to circle back with Bad misters additions but i am confused as to why the level is so low... i have to turn the main LR up loud to hear the vocoder and even then i cannot boost it in the mix without compression - is there an audio in level somewhere??

I would expect with the sm58 this would be loud and proud!

But its working just quietly..

First test your microphone before applying the VOCODER... that's first. Always. Get good level - you can be certain about this. Do that first.

Plug in the mic - you don't even have to hear it to get good level. Speak into it or sing into it at the level you are comfortable... at the very loudest you are comfortable singing/speaking the front panel red PEAK light should still flash on/off - avoid steady red!! You now have good level. Bring up your main Volume and you should be hearing yourself speaking and now you have good level from the microphone.

SYNTH Signal (Dry/Wet)
The amount of signal you need from the Synth will depend on the sound you have selected. You selected a sound for the Vocoder - my question for you: Was it a good sound to choose? This is why I stated in may initial answer: "Some source sounds are better candidates for Vocoding than others." Did you choose a sound that was rather quiet?

Compare the sound you selected with the sound of those PERFORMANCES already programmed with the Vocoder setup.

What makes a good selection
"Vocoder Dance" - is a good example... Recall this program and try your SM58. How does it sound?
The Vocoder PART is PART 1. Volume of the PART is 108... but because the SYNTH PART has plenty of harmonics and an envelope with full sustain - it is a 'good' candidate for vocoding. The more harmonics and more the envelope shape resembles an organ envelope - the better it is as a vocoder dry signal candidate.

Your mileage will vary based on your selection for the Synth (DRY) sound

Hi - i found the A D input level adjuster . I am finding it strange because when i have the mic plugged in and test the level when i turn the input level right up and the gain i cannot get it to clip!

I am now looking towards my mic lead altho it was a brand new cable... so its working for me just a level issue and i am sure i do not have to have the input gain and the gain on full.... i see the online demos and without even talking you can get the GAIN to show the red LED if you simply turn it...

Thanks for the detailed assistance tho... I am looking forward to slowy but surely mastering this machine!

It's been mentioned several times (no verification from you, however) is the MIC/LINE parameter set to MIC?