Looking for plug-in to make an interview annonymous

brainfreezebob · Post by **brainfreezebob** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:47 pm

You know when you watch a news program on TV, and they have an anonymous source, they'll use some kind of harmonizing effect or pitch shift to lower the voice of the person talking--I'm looking for a plug-in that can do that.

The guy in this clip, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft_POp6pM_w

Any ideas? Free or cheap would be preferable.

Snarl 12/8 · Post by **Snarl 12/8** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:09 pm

You should be careful if you're really trying to anonymize someone. If you just pitch shift them down, then someone can just pitch shift them back up to hear what they really sound like. For true anonymous vocals I think you need to introduce some randomness to the pitch shifting and/or fuck with the timbre somehow. They also need to be careful what phrases they use. Word choice can really pinpoint certain individuals. I'm not an expert in this, but I'm sure a simple pitch shift won't really protect anyone.

darjama · Post by **darjama** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:23 pm

how about a vocoder?

FBH · Post by **FBH** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:55 pm

Run them through a Digitech Vocalist Live 4 with a looped Ministry backing track (maybe the instrumental part of New World Order), apply the reverse reverb effect, then use liberal tape saturation and flanging. Edit for tempo of the dialog so it syncs with the backing track. It may not be anonymous, but nobody would be able to focus on identifying the individual.

Alternatively, you could record the interview. Then reverse it. Then have the person learn to say the sounds in reverse. Record that, and reverse it. That would be pretty anonymous.

Please disregard this post; I'm clearly getting stir crazy at work.

brainfreezebob · Post by **brainfreezebob** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 4:56 pm

darjama wrote:how about a vocoder?

This is an option. Problem is, I don't want to take out all of the modulation in the person's voice. I want their expression to remain.

curtiswyant · Post by **curtiswyant** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:36 pm

I think some kind of modulation, like a high-feedback short delay (in the form of a flanger or chorus), with a pitch shift down, would work. Or have them talk through a kazoo on the telephone like Homer J.

ashcat_lt · Post by **ashcat_lt** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:48 pm

Madshifta is free and kind of messy pitch shift. Plenty of artifacts, but that might help your situation.

GSnap is also free, a little less messy, pitch correction which might also do in a pinch.

Gentleman Jim · Post by **Gentleman Jim** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:15 am

I would try a combination of a few effects, but done more as a series of renderings. Maybe a super slow flange with a high feedback, bounced. Then take the bounced track and pitch shift that and bounce again with 100% wet signal. Then a very short reverb, then another pitch shift, but this time with a 'harmony,' maybe a 70/30 mix. By the time it gets through those 4 steps I would think it would be pretty hard to reverse it.

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:34 am

Use a Behringer mic.

Snarl 12/8 · Post by **Snarl 12/8** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:41 am

vvv wrote:Use a Behringer mic.

Oh god. This thread's going to go to 47 pages now.

I was going to suggest a dash of distortion. (My favorite effect) That might be what vvv meant?

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:15 pm

Just that it won't sound anything like the source ...

Actually, I'm kidding; I have a Behringer B1 I bought when I was drunk on line once (altho' I confess to being drunk on line often) thinking it was a Studio Projects. It's not that bad.

But for the OP; consider altering the sound at the source.

I don't mean have him speak into a megaphone (what could actually be cool and lend a certain gravitas, or lack thereof - how about a Mr. Microphone?), but rather, do like the movies and put a cloth over the mic, mebbe put the mic inna paper-towel or pvc tube ...

palinilap · Post by **palinilap** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:19 pm

A quick google search came up with something called AV Voice Changer. It's specifically for disguising a voice.

http://www.efreedown.com/soft_112128.html

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:52 pm

compress it and then feed it into a ring modulator, then tweak the oscillator until they turn into a Dalek.

i'm only half joking.

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:42 am

brainfreezebob wrote:You know when you watch a news program on TV, and they have an anonymous source, they'll use some kind of harmonizing effect or pitch shift to lower the voice of the person talking--I'm looking for a plug-in that can do that.

The guy in this clip, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft_POp6pM_w

Any ideas? Free or cheap would be preferable.

Slow down the voice.

Pitch it UP a lot, then speed it up so it's fater than the original.

Then, pitch it down some more.

Then, slow it down some more.

Repeat until you get as "anonymous" as you need.

Do it in random percentages, but always do speed - pitch - speed - pitch etc.

Cheers

ctmsound · Post by **ctmsound** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:01 am

Solid State Logic has this cool plug-in for free. If you just use the Ghoul function, you can achieve what you're shooting for:

http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/ ... /index.asp

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