The term voice changer (also known as voice enhancer) refers to a system of altering a person's voice to either make them sound like someone else or to disguise their voice.
Voice changers change the tone or pitch, add distortion to the user's voice, or a combination of all of the above and vary greatly in price and sophistication. A kazoo/didgeridoo can be used as a makeshift voice changer, though it can be difficult to understand what the person is trying to say.
Hardware Implementations
The earliest voice changers were electronic devices usually used over the telephone for the purpose of disguise. There are low-priced, small lithium battery-powered voice changers that are used between a phone's mouthpiece and the user's mouth. More sophisticated voice changers have different levels of various distortion effects variable by faders.
Software Implementations
Voice changers can be found online, for a variety of operating systems. There are several popular types of voice changers. The available programs are capable of altering the pitch and timbre of the user's voice, applying special effects, and performing graphic equalization almost in real-time.
Appearances in Media
- Voice changers can be seen in various movies, including Scream, Saw, Super Troopers, Steel and a Talkboy voice changer was used in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
- Current affairs television shows and documentaries will sometimes employ the use of voice changers to disguise the voice of someone who wants to remain anonymous.
- In the anime/manga series, Death Note, the mysterious detective, named "L", uses voice distortion when talking through his computer, to remain anonymous.
- In the anime series, Pokémon, the Team Rocket boss, Giovanni, used a voice changer until the end of the original series. It distorted his voice, making him sound like a robot.
- Character and main protagonist Conan Edogawa from anime/manga series Detective Conan uses bowtie-shaped voice changer. By turning the dial on the back, he is able to imitate all kinds of voices that he hears.
- In the tutorial mission of the video game, Saints Row: The Third, Johnny Gat, Shaundi, Nyte Blade, and The Protagonist all use voice changers during a bank robbery.
- Jason Hudson uses one in Call Of Duty: Black Ops when interrogating Alex Mason.
- Clara Lille uses a voice distorter when talking with Aiden Pearce on her phone in Watch_Dogs until they meet face-to-face.
- In the live-action tv series, "Arrow", Oliver Queen, when communicating under disguise as the "(the Arrow)", uses a voice changer.
- In the Movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne uses it to disguise his voice and to inflict fear into criminals.
- Recently, a Coca-Cola commercial involving Mindy Kaling also features a person who has a disguised voice and appearance.
