FAT PCP-330 Procoder Analog Vocoder

FAT PCP330 Procoder – an all analog 11 band vocoder in a 1u 19” rack. It is functionally identical to the MAM VF11 that I have linked a video to below, but with a retina damaging panel design in hot pink that will well and truly screw with your cool minimalist studio aesthetic.

The panel gives a good clue as to the user experience … refined and expensive sounding it is not, but it has presence and in-your-face-ness by the truckload and is an absolute riot to use.

This is apparently the vocoder the Beastie Boys used on Intergalactic, I have no idea if that’s true but it certainly sounds like it. It’s not the way to go if you want maximum vocal intelligibility – if that’s your goal, choose a software vocoder plug in that has dozens of frequency bands. It’s true role is as a studio wildcard and unpredictable source of inspiration, and if used in that way it delivers massively!

Features-wise, there are rear panel connections for Synthesise (the sound to be modulated) and Analyse (a voice in a standard vocoder setup, but it can be anything, drum loops work really well). Analyse has line and mic inputs, and an internal sawtooth oscillator is patched to Synthesise if you don’t connect an external source. The knobs on the left hand side control input levels, the internal oscillator frequency, the overall frequency at which vocoding is applied, and the output mix. Then there’s a knob for each of the 11 frequency bands, which work like static EQs and will attenuate the frequency completely if turned all the way off. The final knob on the right controls the level of unvoiced elements in the vocoded output - there is an internal noise oscillator for this but you can plug another sound source in if you wish.

There is no external CV or footswitch control of anything, but that doesn’t matter because you can exert multi-dimensional control and modulation just by talking, hollering or beatboxing into it. In fact vocoders are best thought of as highly complex modulators with the most intuitive interface imaginable … your voice!

I bought this unit used in 2002 from Simon Berry who owns the trance label Platypus, and I picked it up from his studio in Fulham which was absolutely stuffed with vintage synths and other desirable gear. I only mention this otherwise irrelevant fact because he has scratched his initials SB into the back panel, as you can see from the photos. Otherwise the unit is in very respectable condition for its age. There is some rack rash but the front panel is in great shape and none of that lovely pink legending is faded or rubbed off.

The unit ships with the PSU and the original printed manual it came with. The manual looks a bit of a joke at first glance but it’s actually pretty good, with a solid explanation of the theory behind vocoding and plenty of tips and suggestions for ways to get the most creative juice out of it.