How To Set Up a Talk Box 

Glad I could help!

You dont want the talk box spund coming from the monitors. You o ly want the talk box sound coming g out of the talk box tube, not the monitors. Turn the monitors all the way down or off while you use the talk box. If you need to listen to a backing track put on headphones.

Correct!

Thank you brother for this really cool video

Thanks for asking! Post was super nice, He walked right past my fiance and I in the store and we both kind of just froze. He bought his groceries and went outside for a smoke and I asked him if we could get a picture and he said sure. I told him that Im a big fan of his music and he said thanks. We didn't get to have more than a couple words with him because he was with his guards and getting swarmed by a few other people. I wanted to congratulate him on his song with Ozzie Osbourne but I didn't get the chance. Also if you like the talk box the you should definitely try it out!

Yes, you can conect your pc(line out) or audio interface output to talkbox input

Yes, but you will need to watch my “talk box with midi keyboard video first”

I usually put on headphones to hear the mix when I record my talk box. I'm not sure if I understand what you mean by the synth being loud, I turn off the speakers on the synth when I play the talk box so the only sound should be coming out of the talk box tube. The talk box itself is loud and works great for recording. You would be able to hear it if you had a beat playing on monitors. Check out my "how to record a talk box" video on my channel if you want to learn more about that particular subject.

Great question, My guess is that it will still work even if the keyboard is running on batteries because the talk box still has it's own power. Take this with a grain of salt because I'm not 100% sure but I'm fairly positive it will still work. I'm here if you have any more questions!

Yes, check out my “how to use a talk box with MIDI keyboard” video on my channel and it goes over exactly what you’re asking. Hope that helps!

There should be a link in the description for 1/4 inch instrument/audio cables. Those are the ones you want to use 😁

@@JEzra-cx7bx Oh perfect, sorry I totally missed that. Thank you! :)

You're good, I'm glad I could help! I'm here if you have any other questions later on 🙌

Technically yes, but it will not have that classic tall box sound if you dont use a synthesizer.

If you want to record your talk box using your DAW, you will need an audio interface. You will connect the microphone to the audio interface and then sing into the microphone with your talk box, it's the same as recording vocals. Here is a link on how to record a talk box: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QkDG1Fr8c1Q.html

Hi there, I see all comments so theres no need to write 'please reply' haha I'm here for you! You use a 1/4 inch TR instrument cable. Theres a link in the description. If you dont use US standard measurements it's just called an instrument cable.

@@JEzra-cx7bx THANK YOU SO MUCH!! YOU EARNED A SUB!!!

It works with Akai midi controllers but you have to set it up a different way. I made a video called How To Set Up A Talk Box With Midi Keyboard. Check that video out if you want to learn how.

@@JEzra-cx7bx thx so much watching it now

The panda mini is a MIDI keyboard. It does not have sounds unless you have a DAW you can connect it with. Do you have recording software like FL Studio, Pro Tools, Ableton, Garage Band or Logic Pro?

@@JEzra-cx7bx no the only one who is free are garageband but thats only available for mac and i have windows. Can you recommend a app that is free and available for windows

Ableton Live Lite is free And FL Studio has a free trial Pro Tools First is free And Reaper is free If you dont know how to use recording software, I reccomend you learn how to use it first.

Yes it should work

@@JEzra-cx7bx thanks for answering so fast man ima subscribe now! Keep it up

You can probably get it to work with a talk box but i dont think the keyboard itself has the right settings to get that classic talk box sound.

Yes

If you want to record the talk box you will need a mic but if you just want to practice or play live you wont really need one.

@@JEzra-cx7bx question..where does the sound come from? Will I need speakers to hear it?

The sound comes out of the talk box tube. Inside the talk box there is a small speaker that sends sound up the tube. The sound comes directly out of the tube and into your mouth, the sound then travels our of your mouth where you are able to hear it. If you ever get the chance to use one it will make more sense.

@@JEzra-cx7bx sweet thanks!

Yes, I have a video that explains how to do it without an audio interface. But you will need an adapter. Check out the video in my channel for more details.

@@JEzra-cx7bx and will a normal midi keyboard work with it

Any midi keyboard should work

@@JEzra-cx7bx OK THANKS

Also is there anything else I will need from your description apart from the three main things

You will need a clean sawtooth patch, that is the foundation of the talk box Patch. Once you have that you will have to set the keys to monophonic. Once you have those things you'll have a basic talk box patch. If your keyboard is capable of that then the answer is yes. I think a few other people have asked a similar question regarding the Yamaha YPG keyboards. You might be able to find some more info reading the comments.

@@JEzra-cx7bx awesome thank you 🙏

Nope, no computer needed. Just a talk box and a synthesizer

@@JEzra-cx7bx alright nice, thanks for the quick respond too

Btw I’m using Fl Studios (trial) and have Purchased Logic Pro..

Theres a few things you can try. Make sure all your devices have power and are turned on and the volumes turned up, also make sure your headphone volume on your audio box is turned up. Next thing to check is to make sure your audio interface is registering with your DAW and that the volume inside the DAW is turned up. Try that and get back to me if it doesnt work.

@@JEzra-cx7bx I’ve ensured that everything is registering up on FL Studios. Everything is on and connected.. I chose the Synth and the keyboard lights up with no sounds coming out... then I mess with it some more and finally get the keys to play but nothing through the tube.. I’ve spent like 2 hours trying to figure this out (volume is up) as well lol

Ok, it's kind of weird it's not working but try it this way... Forget about the talk box and just try to play the midi keyboard. You're going to have to plug in headphones to the audio interface. Also make sure that you dont have anything else connected to the audio interface like speaker monitors. When you connect the audio Interface, plug in a midi keyboard, plug in headphones and select a synth you should be able to hear the synth through your headphones when you play the midi keyboard. If you dont hear anything then the problem is with the settings in your DAW or the problem is with your audio interface. If you can hear the synth then just disconnect the headphones and plug in the talk box. You should be able to hear sound coming out of the talk box tube when you play the keys in the midi keyboard. If that doesnt solve it then idk what will. You could try checking the sound settings on your computer and make sure the audio is being sent to the audio interface. It could also be your interface somehow not being able to do what the Focusrite Scarlett does. It's really a simple set up... idk what could be going wrong. I dont use the MIDI keyboard method any more. I use the normal way to use a talk box which is hooking up the talk box to a synthesizer keyboard. I have a video on my channel if you're interested. It's a lot easier than dealing with a computer and midi. The only downside is that you have to have a synth keyboard.

If you have the same synth as I do you'll have to turn off the built in speakers. I have a video on how to do it on my channel. Check it out and get back to me if you still have any questions after.

J. Ezra I’m having trouble finding that other video you’re talking about. Would you mind linking it for me? Thanks Dude

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uKRmF_u5FNw.html

Yes you absolutely can, if you look up "MiniNova Talk Box Patch" on RU-vid you will find some good videos on how to do it.

@@JEzra-cx7bx thanks man your helpful!

You will need a synthesizer keyboard like a MicroKORG and you will need a talkbox. Here is a video to help you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n5CCediMqTY.html

@@JEzra-cx7bx ok so can I play like you with only the keyboard piano the talk box and the cable and can I just play a song or do I need everything

You will need the synthesizer keyboard and a talk box and you will need to practice 😁

The talk box and a synthesizer 🤘

Go on my channel and check out my “Talk Box with midi keyboard” video. You don’t need a synthesizer but you will need a computer. Hope that helps!

Your vids are really helping out man thanks. Soon my teachers will be hating you though as i show up with a talkbox to mess around while i wait for classes to start XD

Do it! Haha You might impress a few people, especially if they have never seen someone playing a talk box before.

At the time I was using a 2017 MacBook Pro 13 inch. I'm currently using a 2020 iMac 27" 8gb ram for all of my RU-vid videos and music production.

If you're talking about using a cv cable to replace the regular instrument cable then it might work but I wouldn't recommend it. But if you're taking about using the cv as output from the keyboard to the talkbox then I'm not too sure if that would work at all. Try it out and let me know! I'm interested to hear the results!

It's possible to connect a midi key board to your DAW and use the talk box with it. Heres a link to a video I made covering how to do that: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-594GdKXO4Rs.html If it doesnt answer your question after you watch it get back with me and we'll go over it in detail 👍

As long as the digital piano can produce a saw wave then you could hook up a talk box and make it work. Essentially you can connect a talk box with any sound source that has an output but it might not have that iconic talk box sound to it.

You could as long as you have the right sounding Patch. Start with a sawtooth wave, then set the keys to monophonic and then add a bit of portamento/glide and that should give you a basic talk box patch. You dont want any effects like chorus, delay or reverb on the patch either. Add it in post if you want but not as an active effect.

@@JEzra-cx7bx thanks, I used Saw Lead on the Motif 7 and Saw Destroyer on my Motif XS7.

You can buy a used microkorg for around 200-300 dollars. There are also many more options like the Poly D, Model D, microfreak, MiniNova and they can also be bought at a lower price in the used market if you're on a budget.

@@JEzra-cx7bx thank you!!

There should be a cable going from the output on the synth to the Input on the talk box. I've never used the output on the talk box itself and I have no need for it in my set up. I'm sure it has a purpose but I personally have never had a use for it.

You're going to want a Saw Tooth wave sound. That is the first step, then make sure your keyboard is set to monophonic, which means you can only play one note at a time. That should give you a basic talk box Patch. Let me know if you have any more questions, thanks for watching!

@@JEzra-cx7bx thank you! i've watched your other videos about talkbox, and they help me a lot.

You're welcome, when I move I to my new music studio I will make more! 😁 I'm glad I could help!

Because the Taktile has presets from the Korg Triton you might be able to use it with a talk box if you can find a sawtooth preset. You can use it as a midi keyboard as long as you have it set up via DAW. I have several videos on my channel on how to set up a talk box with midi keyboard for, Garage Band, Logic Pro and FL studio.

@@JEzra-cx7bx thank you for your reply buddy. 🙏

You're going to need a talk box Patch for your synthesizer. Follow these steps, they will work with most synths. Change your keys from polyphonic to monophonic. This makes it so you can only play one note at a time on your keyboard. Then change the wave signal to a regular plain sawtooth wave. After that add a little bit of glide. Glide or (portamento) is the time it takes from one note to transition to the other. A little bit of glide makes it sound a little more natural. I also do not add echo or reverb to my talk box. That should give you a basic talk box sound. Thanks for watching and share and subscribe if you love the videos, it helps me out a lot! 🤘🔥 This isnt an auto generated text, I'm actually here typing all this out and if you have any more questions just let me know and I'll get back to you as soon as I can 💯🔥

Hook up a mic and record the audio same way you would record vocals.

It will work on a Yamaha keyboard as long as you can get a saw tooth wave sound from your keyboard you should be good. Heres a link that might explain things better, I use a microkorg synth but you can still follow the instructions to get similar results. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rDxBChWlLUg.html

@@JEzra-cx7bx thanks brotha

Technically yes. But you will want a synthesizer keyboard specifically. In order to get a talk box sounding patch, You will need a saw tooth wave, Monophonic key setting, and A little glide (portamento). If your keyboard can do that then it will work.

love you too bro

the mpk is just a midi controller, right?

If you're looking for an instrument/audio cable there is an amazon link in the description where you can buy one. In the description it's called " 1/4' Inch Audio Cables"

Yes, it should, as long as you have a talk box Patch on your synth.

@@JEzra-cx7bx appreciate it but I think you sent the wrong link

Oh yes sorry I sent that link to a family member hahaha let me get you the right one! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QkDG1Fr8c1Q.html Ok that's the right one!! Haha thanks for telling me

@@JEzra-cx7bx no worries but thanks for the link!

@@JEzra-cx7bx sorry man I got another question, what type of mic are you using to record when you use the Talkbox? I want to get a condenser mic but I’m not sure if I’d have to buy an interface that uses phantom power in order to get it to work or if I would be able to just plug in the xlr end of the mic into the MicroKorg and not have to use phantom power for it to work. If that makes sense

Plugging the xlr end of the mic to the microkorg wont do anything if you're using the talk box. I use a Rode NT1 which requires phantom power from my audio interface (focusrite scarlett 2i2)

I'm sure theres a purpose but I haven't found a use for it.

Yes it would, might make a video on it soon

The best way to get an authentic talk box sound is to get the real thing. I'm not a big fan of talk box effects because they dont seem to replicate a talk box very well. There is a way to use a talkbox without a hardware synth though. I made a video for it, instead of a hardware synth, you use a digital synth that's built in to a DAW like pro tools, logic, or ableton, then use a midi keyboard to control the notes. Heres a link to the video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-594GdKXO4Rs.html

but you will need to buy on ebay cause idk if they make those anymore

I've never tried it but I'm gonna go ahead and say it will most likely work. Pete Drake did something similar back in like the '60s.

Did it work? I want to try

It definitely does work, just look up "Pete Drake"

Yes as long as it has the capability to program a talk box patch.

Yes it does, check my channel I have a video explaining how to do it 😁 Best of luck!

@@JEzra-cx7bx Thanks, I got into Daft Punk this year and I really want one!

I love Daft Punk, I did a cover of Television Rules the Nation too 🤘

@@JEzra-cx7bx nicee

Yes, you can use a talk box with a guitar

A great one that I am going to get in the future is the Behringer Model D, behringer has a lot of affordable synths that can work great with a talk box. You can also look at used microkorg synths on Reverb for under $300. The used market is great for synths under $300.

thanks man

@@JEzra-cx7bx thanks man

No because it will just sound like a piano and it’s not the sound you want. you will need a synthesizer or a digital keyboard that has a sawtooth preset. If you watch talk box videos of people performing you will see that they all use a synth.

@@JEzra-cx7bx you think an interface can change that? And thanks man I’m just using for fun so I ain’t going all out on a syth

I have a video on how to use an synth digital instrument inside an Audio Interface with a talk box. Scroll through my videos on my channel and you’ll find it. It’s a cost effective way to get going on a talk box.

You need a synthesizer with a talk box patch and a talk box

@@JEzra-cx7bx u mind sending me a link to all the things I need I’ve been wanting to do this so bad but never had somebody to show me what I need

There should be links to all of the gear I use in the description of this video or any one of my other videos 👍

There is some condensation at the tip of the tube and a little bit of saliva does get in the tube but for the most part saliva doesnt really go down into the tube.

I'm not too worried.

The cable doesnt go into the Output jack on the talk box and I did show how to do it in the video. So I really dont understand what you're talking about.

@@JEzra-cx7bx No seriously though, something isn't right here- there is nothing plugged into the output of the talkbox.... I honestly don't know how we're hearing anything.

The sound coming out of the tube is acoustic sound not digital so there is no need for an output signal. That sound that you are hearing is being recorded through my microphone separately.

You record a talk box with a microphone, the sound does not come out as an output signal. I made a whole video explaining how to record a talk box, heres the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QkDG1Fr8c1Q.html Hopefully that will help you understand a little better, it can get a bit complicated at times.

Thanks, I was really only trying to give an example. When I practice I sound nothing like I do in this video but thanks for the tips 🤙