Talkbox Tutor #1: "A Throat & Mouth Thing"

Mayhem breaks down the physics of talkboxing and gives a few pointers on getting those words out. Originally aired on djmpact's Talkbox TV #7.

[@macronencer]

Best tutorial I've seen so far, and it's 14 years old now. You explained a lot of details, which was great. If you're still reading comments, thank you so much! I look forward to the other episodes...

[@jumax7286]

RIP my dear friend.... My heart goes out with your lovely family... You'll be missed by all of us!!!!

[@frankmaconnerie168]

???

[@kokobeangaming8282]

Is he dead

[@KEgotKeys]

Rest in heaven

[@jumax7286]

@@kokobeangaming8282 unfortunately he is.

[@tbomb375]

Do you know how

[@pontushenrikson]

"Baby" is probably the best sounding word to do with a talkbox ;D

[@EastLightning07]

That is a funky white boy.

[@jaqolaterns]

RACIST

[@studiomomochannel]

You're confusing colour with race. People who have white skin can still be from a handful of different races. Thus calling someone white does not imply hatred towards a specific race.

[@miguel5652]

​@@studiomomochannelwhite and black dont mean shit in fact black originates from blanc witch means white lol same as bleach witch means to clean or make white... wait until you hear about nationality and how you need one to have things like heritage and thus a right to reparations lol also funny enough black (spanish:negro) is a word used to describe inanimate objects sheesh

[@B33SON1]

"keep that throat open" - that's what he said.

[@gabnavan676]

Rest in peace, man. Wish you could read all these supportive newer comments.

[@ghostfrom1950]

Wait what?

[@SCRATCH574]

What happened to him?

[@Conorsseur]

Dude!! I was at that Chromeo show!!! Pee-Thug is freakin' awesome. I'm glad to see some people (as well as yourself) keeping the talkbox love alive. :) Nice video, man. :D

[@briangurnett]

Definitely straight from LA with that helicopter in the bg.

[@Rogers1977]

Dude, that video explained everything I needed to find out about how to mouth words. Thank you so much!

[@BeatsFromDP]

Thanks for this. I just got my talkbox and am having a hard time with the words like "cataracts" so this is very helpful. It's going to take a while for me to get in the habit of emphasizing and remembering when to, but it takes practice. You do this really well.

[@funkscribe]

awesome. you have done a great service for the memory of ROGER and his talkbox legacy.

[@fuckenmike]

Just got a talkbox and this was exactly what I was looking for!!

[@junostrecords4036]

Damn, this is exactly what I need in late 2022!

[@Michael-zi9of]

Fabulous explanations and demos. Thank you!

[@SethVincentProductons]

2020 anyone?

[@KEgotKeys]

Yupp

[@m4rs455]

2021?

[@SethVincentProductons]

@@m4rs455 maybe

[@m4rs455]

@@SethVincentProductons p e r h a p s

[@SethVincentProductons]

@@m4rs455 maybe?

[@CharlieRosenbury]

Wow... this is JUST what I was looking for. Thanks a million for posting this!

[@TheLunamoon]

Thank you for that super informative explanation! One thing that still stumbles me as I try and practice: where do I place the tube exactly in my mouth? - in between my upper and lower teeth? On the outside of my closed teeth next to my cheek? I'm confused because I still am not getting enough clarity even with overemphasizing harsher sounds.

[@TheSpidertrumpet]

I had to thank you many years ago… But i forget it thx for the masterclass

[@reesesapphire267]

I thought you were saying "get rekt", not "cataract", and it really confused me because I didn't think that term existed in 2007.

[@beran_daher8848]

Same

[@DeactivatedCharcoal]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract_(disambiguation)

[@pianoworb14]

O boy .. thank you so much .. the best Tutorial Video out there

[@heathermalcolm7639]

Just what I needed. Cheers!

[@khazard9240]

Yes, I'd also like to know what size tubing you use. I feel like the stiffness and tube size significantly matters.

[@Jaxon23294]

Awesome video!!! I just started using the talkbox and believe me I’m struggling

[@EliteOnTheBeat]

AMAZING video! Also subscribed! You should've put a HP filter at 100hz for this video. :D

[@Azteka2007]

you a great teacher

[@haydster89]

7:47 - 7:48 was cool!! haha great job

[@effectsmaster1]

thanks for clearing that up, I'd been starting to think i was wrong and that something was wrong with my talkbox :D

[@Charactereyes]

thanks mayhem. I have been intrigued by this lately; the effect is amazing compared to antares autotune.

[@AluminumBird]

THANK YOU. Been trying to figure out these things.

[@oakdalewoodz]

Thanks for breaking down the 411 on the talk box. My question is how do you elimante the piano or keyboard sound and totally use your own voice. Keep me posted D.J. H.E.

[@rossbarmache2811]

thank you so much just made a talk box and this is exactly what im having trouble with

[@Rogers1977]

@talkboxmayhem I remember learning about biological psychology in my psychology class. It's definitely a real profession, although many biological theories in psychology aren't really accepted; for example, the theory that dreaming is just random neural impulses. However, I'm sure there's a lot of those bio-psychologist into how the brain works and reacts to things or eyesight and stuff like that.

[@sahid31390]

You can buy one at any guitar center... try using ebay also...

[@Rhythmicons]

THanks so much for this video. THis answered a lot of questions. I was wondering if you had to use techniques from ventrilliquism to get the B T S K and CH sounds. Can you demonstrate the alphabet?

[@ShallowVA]

I just built my first talkbox, and I'm having alot of fun with it. However, I'm having a little trouble talking with it. When I try to talk, the tuba always ends up plugged by my tongue or cheek. Any tips, anyone?

[@chiphopper]

Excellent video there mayhem :)

[@samlaboski5796]

that roger troutman heartbreaker ❤️

[@ArtyPartyMusic]

A great lesson , man!!!

[@effectsmaster1]

well my banshee talkbox does not do that. It sends the guitar signal through the tube into my mouth. You don't talk into the tube, you mouth some vowels or words like mayhem said. I have never talked into my tube, i just mouth the words a vowels.

[@nateaus]

hahaha Mayhem.. you are funny.. awesome tut.

[@randomniss1]

wich one is better rocktron banshee or heli. i dont know wich one to get

[@MisterV619]

I read a review on the DX27 which says that it is the full size version of the DX100. Haven't confirmed yet, but just bought a DX27 on ebay. The DX100 is going for outrageous amounts of money right now. Nobody's caught on to the DX27 yet, so prices are lower than the DX100. Mayhem- on your next video, could you show us what other DX100 patches or other synths sound good are other observations you've noticed during the course of finding our voice?

[@Bassplayingypsy]

You gotta try out the TalkStar talkbox. Shit is next level.

[@nathanvanmiddlesworthmedia]

I can't afford half this crazy stuff,but I am going to figure this all out anyway!

[@namir4113]

Perfect good job thank you

[@emmanuelbuckner2225]

Sir I really need your help I love the TalkBox but I am having trouble learning how to harmonize or put layers in my music please tell me the secret please thanks

[@talkboxgrooves2300]

RIGHT ON!

[@ThaRealSkeef]

I bet you can do a real good Jeff Goldblum impression.

[@effectsmaster1]

his voice can be heard because it is coming out of his mouth! believe me if your in a quiet room your camera can easily pick the sound up, why don't you just send mayhem a question and ask him. Look in the related videos at the one called "Mr. Talkbox Promo Concerts EXTENDED" he is using a microphone because he is live and with a huge band around him not even he could hear it.

[@linux750]

so when we play the talkbox we should announciate our words, exhale while "singing", and emphasize each slylable right?

[@WulyBuly]

Fun fact you can actually do this with your phone speaker

[@greymagic7790]

If you don't use a pipe that goes deep into your mouth, the sound of the synthesizer won't be well shaped.

[@WulyBuly]

@@greymagic7790 I know I was just saying like for shits and giggles if you want. Kinda like beatboxing.

[@amiratilly5900]

You know what? That was fun. I giggled. I shit. Thank you 🥰

[@semuk]

Ahh, things make more sense now, thank you, would you say the Banshee is the driver to go for?

[@SVR08]

HEy man can you teach me how to setup my keyboard to make a talkbox soun . i dont got the dx100 i got the dx27

[@effectsmaster1]

read "uberstupidmove"'s comment, also here is a little review on the pedal from guitar center's website "ok this pedal is the best freaking pedal out there it comes with everything u need and u can get the best sound out of it. "the one thing u need to know b4 u buy it is that the sound doesn't go to ur amp it goes straight threw the tube and u make the talk part there. it needs a mic next to it to hook it up to an amp."" that was the guys exact words, so now who's wrong?????

[@HappyComfort]

That was so awesome! Thanks for explaining everything! Your the only vid so far I've seen that explained how the talkbox works.You might want to close your closet etc tho for us pitiful ADD types who wonder if your shirts are ironed or weather you may actually be one of the few men who REALLY do your own ironing. HA! ( Alf voice) Just kidding. Thanks again! That was great! ;-D

[@namir4113]

Just for you to know I am a singer that’s why I know this it’s not opening the Throat .It’s lowering you lyrics that’s what opera singers do to have their voice lower and fuller and bigger lowering the lyrics is a lot of exercises for that you can find on KZbin I don’t mean anything by that I’m just trying to help thank you

[@zakkattack99]

no lol, and its in animation, thanks for asking

[@rubenbarboza4534]

Are you related to David Dobriks friend Alex

[@coolpea]

Thanks man ..found this really helpfull

[@peadarog1]

Hey, you're welcome!

[@aodtrap6738]

Do you have to know how to play the keyboard to do talk box?

[@lau_dhondt]

helpful video! thanks!

[@aubreydavid]

hey can somebody tell me what kind of talkbox to get for a casio(midi) keyboard?

[@bagofrandom]

so if i buy a rocktron banshee talk box, do i need to buy one of those small keyboards?

[@t.j4341]

Yes 😜

[@jaqolaterns]

I love Zapp And Roger too

[@MrALEJANDROLERNER]

hi , how you hold the tube you bite it laterally???

[@cylonvoiceguy]

Gaaah close that closet door!! lol... You off the hook mang....

[@effectsmaster1]

thank you "uberstupidmove" that's what I've been trying to tell "xxxogchris"

[@PK_Mega_Awesome]

This is really helpful, thanks. do I need to be able to sing in tune? Also as opposed to mouthing the words and accentuating the clicks etc, can't I just actually sing? If I am performing no one will hear my voice as there would be no microphone, but my vocal chords would be doing everything needed to affect the tone of the keys/guitar.

[@ASilentS]

The sound produced by the talkbox comes out of the tube, is resonated by your mouth, and this modulated sound is picked up by an EXTERNAL mic. If you're singing while talkboxing, the microphone will pick up both sounds.

[@mazedull]

+SilentS Im new to this and just picked one up. I notice he doesnt have an external mic up by his mouth/tube. What is picking up the sound here?

[@ChiefyRock]

is the tube size matter ? would 1/2 inch tube make it harder to mouth or can smaller tube work easier ?

[@shufflephunk]

but a microphone is handy to pronounce letters better like a d or a t.. you dont need to speak out loud but the t-sound you make when saying that letter is a leyer over the talkboxsound and that helps better

[@ernestenoch6436]

Man look🙄 how do I hook the thing up? Out of my kybd into the talk box right? Tube in mouth. Is there a setting I have to use on the kybd? Do I need a mixer🤷🏾‍♂️

[@rolishes8013]

Where my 2019 peeps at?

[@reemhassan9881]

yeee

[@CrapZackGames]

2020

[@rolishes8013]

@@CrapZackGames 2020

[@idtapthat12321]

2. I am also confused about breathing. I don't know whether to hold my breath, breathe through my mouth and close my nose, or any other combination of opening/closing the throat and nose. Will all of this come with time/trial and error?

[@joshuaallen1908]

how do you add the vibrato?

[@colinholmes7180]

So this is what the guy who plays Flash used to do.

[@effectsmaster1]

i said when your preforming live it needs miced (i dont know how to spell it, (sounds like: my-k-d) You might be able to hear it through the tube but the audience wouldn't. That mic makes it louder so everyone can hear it, for practicing of course you dont need one

[@uberstupidmove]

I'm sorry you feel that way.

[@xXXHitsugayaXXx]

Yo, whats your setup consist of? like speakers and software mostly? those look like some mean speakers dude!

[@oticram]

Much more fun than Myth-Busters :)))

[@elephantgrass631]

dynamic range is the wrong word to use to explain the range of notes.

[@NY32986]

@talkboxmayhem DJ Mpact used to say it''s NO part of the talkbox magic.

[@Rogers1977]

THANK YOU OMG FINALLY I GET IT

[@botany500kojak]

What is the tube connecting to? It would have been helpful showing that.

[@amiratilly5900]

Rude AF This tutorial was extremely helpful. It was your job to help yourself by paying attention. Step 1. Read the title Step 2: Listen. He immediately explained this is help for anyone who's been using their talkbox and needs advanced help Is that you? No. Obviously not.

[@ewewell]

how do you have the banshee hooked up with the keyboard and ur monitors thanks

[@DesertBrat602]

Cool!

[@slamblambacid]

Help!! it constantly gets out of my mouth or I stuck the tube with my tongue. Do you actually byte the tube or you put it aside your molars ??

[@jorelpogi]

dude. how does the tube look like in your mouth? i tried doing the things you did also but somehow its still not working. i position the tube on the left side of my cheek as well. is it diagonal to the center of your mouth from the left? or is it still kinda lined up in your cheek? please reply! thanks!

[@grandexandi]

omg you look just like kirk from gilmore girls

[@effectsmaster1]

not really, but if you were preforming live you would need a mic (of course lol) and a PA system! but you probably could've guessed that if you wanted to use the talk box live :D

[@yugi_motta]

cool. is it too expensive?

[@rjaxxxas]

Whenever I try, my tongue is in the way.

[@chinoespinoza7801]

same

[@王竑哲]

same

[@jaredini]

Put the tube in your cheek, down the side of your teeth.

[@CrapZackGames]

Just put a hard plastic straw since it's smaller.

[@uberstupidmove]

erm, As a talkbox user, I can say that you sir, are wrong. A talkbox is essentially a pre-amp that is Air Tight with a tube coming out of it. The only way to get the sound out is through the tube. It will come out of your mouth, but without a mic it will sound like voices in your head. It should also be noted mayhem uses a Mic in his videos, therefore you loose even harder. Next question.

[@nouvel2140]

What model keyboard/synthesizer are you using?

[@Kris102]

That's DX100

[@Angel2WIN]

or use Reason... yes, it can be done!

[@Turnaround_]

do you have to sing at all?

[@idtapthat12321]

1. Hey man, can you help me out? I just started playing the talkbox w/ my guitar a couple days ago. I'm trying to get the cleanest sound possible (no sound coming from my mouth/throat other than the consonants). But many of the sounds I don't even hear while talkboxing yet I hear them in recordings. Do you think what I'm trying to do is possible or am I reaching too high? (I've also heard even Roger Troutman make some throat sounds when talkboxing live.)

[@snicolas19]

I arrived a little bit late. Could you tell what brand of talkbox are you using in this tuto? Thanks a lot!

[@derrezedduo7380]

Hi mayhem my name is Jared I would like your help with some music and I would be honoured if you can help me

[@themn]

LMBAO !

[@thelancemanL]

I like a little nasal sound in my talk box sounds.