The Ghetto Talk Box

After stumbling a cross a few tutorials on how to build a "Ghetto talk box" we decided to be sound rebels and build one. I guess the the guy in the hardware shop thought we where going to make either a bong or a bomb.

For you who are new to talk boxes, Its the sound effect processor that turns your voice in to a robotic voice (its slightly different from a vocoder in sound). Talk boxes can be heard in tracks such as "Around the World" with Daft Punk, "California Love" with 2pac or "needy girl" with Chromeo.

Well, the result turned out looking like a home made bomb more or less. And what about the sound? Well the volume is far to low, I guess that's what you get when you buy the shittiest, cheapest speakers you can find. And to be honest its bloody hard to make it sound like words.

Here is a first demo on how it sounds. Please, please and please again, please keep the following in mind.

I had to use headphones as microphone, holding them while crouching, having the plastic tube in my mouth singing recording and playing the melody with the other hand. And on top of that I'm pretty crap too, and the talk box is not quite state of the art either. But I think we can claim top marks for effort. And with a bit of practice you might here "Californa love" in the near future :)

Here is the first example: http://www.philipsportfolio.se/share/aroundtheworld.mp3
Its a bit embarrassing, but I owe you that one.

Cheers.

Studio Katze

Watsons Bay

Around 9 this morning the sky was grey and dull. Which was a shame because I really wanted to go out and swim. But just to get some fresh air and see soemthing new I decided to catch a bus to Watsons bay. I'm glad I brought my swimming trunks and towel just in case, while on my way there all the clouds dissapeard and it turned out to be a terrific day.

































The cliff where people jump who are really really bored with Sydney (or other things).













You can see the skyline of the city centre in the distance













Watsons bay and city skyline












I live at "A" Watsons bay is at "B"












/Hugs

Sydney Festival 2009

We went there in the early evening. Various stages scattered around Hyde park and the botanical gardens. It seems to be a trend to be extremely crowded like 100ds of thousands and have flashing fluorescent gadgets and scream a lot when it comes to festivities in Australia.

The biggest stage where Grace Jones where to play later.


















One of the smaller stages where we saw Busy P and Mehdi from Ed Banger.

More food blogging

Todays lunch

Let your computer sing

Vocaloid is a piece of software replicating the voice of a singing girl. Version 1 and 2 was only available in Japanese, and has been the no 1 selling software on Amazon in Japan. The 3rd edition is now supporting English.

So is the computers taking over completely? Well, in my opinion the answer is a definite NO. Top marks for effort, but seems to be a fair bit to go still. To be honest I can hardly make out the words. Check out this video that is meant to be Amazing grace





or this one "500 miles by the Proclaimers", cover the lyrics with your hand and try to hear what she is actually singing. Can you honestly make out any words what so ever?

A Fighter