The V256 Vocoder Pedal from Electro-Harmonix includes internal synthesizers for easy vocoding without an external instrument. The V256 has nine modes to choose from, each giving you a different sonic palette to work with. In addition, each mode may change the functionality of some of the V256's knobs.

VOX-ROBO Modes 1, 2, and 3 are identical. This provides the flexibility to save three separate ROBO presets. These modes function as standard vocoders using an external instrument as the carrier signal, and in addition have robotic internal synthesizers that can be used as the carrier signal and controlled with the PITCH knob. The Single, Major, and Minor Drone modes have a more natural, musical sounding tones than the robotic modes. You can 'play' the internal drone synthesizer using a MIDI keyboard or sequencer.

When the MIC BYPASS footswitch is held down while an instrument is being played, the V256 will freeze whatever is being played through the INST input at the moment the MIC BYPASS button is pressed. This frozen sample can also be saved into a preset. In Transposition mode, the V256 will transpose the vocal signal by an amount determined by the PITCH knob. The BANDS knob can be used to control how quickly the intervals change when controlled by a MIDI input. The BANDS knob can be used to control how quickly the intervals change when controlled by a MIDI input. In Instrument Control mode the V256 will replace the vocal pitch with the pitch of an external instrument. The PITCH knob controls the threshold of how loud the instrument must be in order for the V256 to replace the vocal note.

The Reflex Tune mode allows the V256 to work as an automatic pitch corrector and will quantize the dry vocal pitch to nearest note depending on the scale and key set by the user. The V256 can save one preset for each of the 9 modes. Each preset will pertain directly to the mode you have saved it in. Once a preset is saved, the V256 will remember the preset after power has been disconnected.