Music software developer Native Instruments has released a demo version of Vokator, its vocoding software for Mac and PC. You can download a demo from the Web site.
Vokator incorporates an FFT spectral engine, synthesizer and a granular sampler. The core engine technology is high-resolution: It uses 1,024 bands, as opposed to the 8, 16, 20 or 32 bands of previous vocoder engines. Bands can be grouped together for vintage vocoder emulation, and a multi-band compressor can balance the levels of all bands.
The software also features a configurable design that lets users modify how the pair of vocoding channels are output — they can be spectrally combined or played independently. What’s more, the synthesizer included with Vokator features a dual-oscillator design with dynamic preset morphing controllable by the modulation wheel. The granular sampler can independently control a sample’s pitch and time.
Vokator requires Mac OS X 10.2.2 or higher or Mac OS 9.2 or higher; a G3/500MHz or faster machine; 128MB RAM. It supports VST 2.0, ASIO, SoundManager and CoreAudio interfaces, and will support Audio Units and RTAS on Mac OS X soon, according to the developer. The suggested retail price is US$299.