Behringer releases Vocoder VC16
by The Press Desk   20th February 2025

Amazing, original release. Thank you. The integrated polyphony is a godsend. We need more of this and less of the wacky stuff. Cheers!

I wonder if this is partially based on the TC Helicon Talkbox Synth pedal, or a wholly new design? As digital vocoders go, it does sound good. Behringer owns TC Helicon, so if they did use some of that code, it wouldn’t be a shock.

I'm getting NO sound. MIDI keyboard controller -> VC16 MIDI Din in : Microphone -> MOD IN : AUDIO OUT -> yields nothing. Tired ALL carrier options and misc. knob settings but not a sound out of the AUDIO OUT to the mixer. Am I missing something. Tried both setting MIC and Line input levels. I'm running SHURE Beta 57A directly into VC16 via 3 foot long XLR cable. The example in manual shows microphone coming into VC16 via 1/4" TS cable. Does MIC signal need to be boosted before hitting MOD IN ?? I've tried EVERY carrier type and knob level combination. No sound. Did I get a dud ??? What's the simplest way to test this thing to see of it works ? Thanks in advance.

Are you using a dynamic mic? I’m pretty sure the VC16 doesn’t have 48v phantom power, so you’ll need a dynamic mic or an external mic pre with 48v power if you’re using a condenser.

Maybe try using a line level input to test if that works?