The term voice changer refers to a device which can change the tone or pitch of or add distortion to the user's voice, or a combination 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
Nowadays, software implementations are very common. There is a plethora of techniques that modify the voice by using different algorithms. Most algorithms modify the voice by changing the amplitude, pitch and tone of the voice. The pitch plays an important role from changing a male voice into female voice, and vice versa. The results of voice changing through software are quite impressive and satisfactory.
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 '.
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.
Conan Edogawa, the main protagonist of the anime/manga series Detective Conan uses a bowtie-shaped voice changer. By turning a dial on its back, he is able to imitate all kinds of voices that he hears.
In the tutorial mission of the video game, ', Johnny Gat, Shaundi, Nyte Blade, and The Protagonist all use voice changers during a bank robbery.
Jason Hudson uses one in ' when interrogating Alex Mason.
Clara Lille uses a voice distorter when talking withAiden Pearce on her phone in the video game Watch Dogs until they meet face-to-face.
Some superheroes use voice changers, either to disguise themselves or intimidate their opponents:
*In the live-action TV seriesArrow, Oliver Queen, when communicating under disguise as "the Arrow", uses a voice changer.
*In the film ', Bruce Wayne uses it to disguise his voice and to inflict fear into criminals.
*In the film , a voice changer is activated when Spider-Man turns on his Tech Suit's interrogation mode, making him speak in a deep, frightening voice to a potential suspect.
In the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels, the Rebel Alliance's Fulcrum agents use voice changers to disguise their identities.
A Coca-Cola commercial starring Mindy Kaling also features a person who has a disguised voice and appearance to remain anonymous.
