Voice changers

How does the exhibit work?

Put on the headphones. Press the button to change your voice. On top you can see how your voice will distort.

Speak through the microphone and hear your distorted voice through the headphones.

What is the science behind it?

What do Batman and Darth Vader from Star Wars have in common? They love black outfits, capes ánd voice changers. They use them to make their voice sound impressive, but you can also use them to have a good laugh.

Sound consists of vibrations. So is your voice. When you talk into one of the microphones, it converts the vibrations into an electrical signal that goes to a computer. There is software on the computer that can adjust that signal. That's how you get the craziest results. For example, it can increase the frequency (the number of vibrations per second), so your voice will sound higher. Or it can lower the frequency, so your voice will sound lower.

As a final step, the headphones convert that electrical signal back into vibrations and you hear yourself. But... you suddenly sound completely different: like a robot, like a monster, like a choir or just like a baby voice.

Voice modifier at home

If you enter 'Voice Changer' in your smartphone's app store, you will find lots of fun apps that change your voice. This way, you can also talk in a crazy voice at home.

Helium as a voice modifier

As you breathe in and out, air flows down your throat and past your vocal cords. Your vocal cords make that air vibrate, creating sound.

But helium is lighter than air. If you inhale helium, those vibrations will move faster than in air. Almost 3 times faster. Those fast vibrations will make your voice sound very high.

Be careful though: inhaling helium can also be dangerous. Helium gas takes the place of oxygen. If you inhale too much helium, you can become unconscious and even suffocate.