Vocoder

This is a vocoder built by the band Kraftwerk.

The first time I ever heard someone use one of these contraptions was in a song called Freak-A-Zoid, by Midnight Star. Kraftwerk was actually the first band to use this technology. It's been incorporated by other artists such as E.L.O. Herbie Hancock, Pink Floyd, Neil Young...

Do you remember the song Mr. Roboto by STYX? Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto? That's an example of the vocoder. To learn more about vocoders click here: vocoder.