Tone2 has announced some more details on the vocoder and modulation features of its forthcoming Icarus wavetable synthesizer instrument.

Tone2 Icarus

Icarus will contain a high-end quality vocoder module with 1024 bands. It’s very easy to use: Simply click on ‘Vocoder’ and select a wav files which contains speech. Icarus will analyze the file and automatically create a patch.
Optionally can apply one of the morph modes to shape the sound furter. Playing the sound forwards and backwards, formantshifting, timestretching and looping is also possible.
The vocoder sound is automatically stored with your patches and songs. You won’t have to care about managing files on your harddisk.

Modulation is where the true power of a synthesizer emerges. By using the modulation matrix, Icarus allows you to connect dozens of modulation sources to all-important sound parameters.
Want to use an LFO to wobble your filter? Simply set the proper assignments inside of the modulation matrix and you’re on your way.
Modulate almost any parameter well up into the audio-rate speed, from internal modulation sources like the LFOs, to a wide variety of MIDI messages. We’ve also included midi-learn, so assigning CC’s is as simple as a right-click and a knob-turn.
Modulation can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Icarus’ modulation system is there to provide whichever modulation routing you require to create your perfect sound.

According to Tone2, a team of 54 sound designers is currently working on patches for Icarus, which seems to be scheduled for release in May.

More information: Tone2 Audiosoftware