The Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder is an Electro-Harmonix synth pedal, currently around $204.77. Close alternatives include the Red Panda Tensor and the Red Witch Synthotron V1. It pairs well with the Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier and the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head.
Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Electro-Harmonix · pedal
The Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder is a vocoder effect pedal from Electro-Harmonix, processing guitar signal through a microphone input to produce vocoder speech synthesis and robotic voice effects. The vocoder circuit analyzes the microphone input and applies its spectral shape to the guitar carrier signal, producing the classic robot voice and vocoder character. Controls include Sensitivity, Dry/Wet blend, and Mic input level.
What stands out
“The vocoder circuit analyzes the microphone input and applies its spectral shape to the guitar carrier signal, producing the classic robot voice and vocoder character”
— from the listing
“The Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder is a vocoder effect pedal from Electro-Harmonix, processing guitar signal through a microphone input to produce vocoder speech synthesis and robotic voice effects”
— from the listing
“The Iron Lung Vocoder delivers vocoder speech synthesis and robot voice effects by combining a microphone input with the guitar carrier signal, suited for experimental, electronic, and avant-garde players who want vocoder processing on guit…”
— from the community notes
“Limitations: Requires a microphone input and microphone technique to use the vocoder effect effectively”
— from the reviews
“Controls include Sensitivity, Dry/Wet blend, and Mic input level”
— from the listing
- experimental
- dry
- electronic
- vocoder character
- studio
- sensitivity
- guitar carrier signal
- microphone input
Price updated Oct 25, 2026
Genres the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder is commonly used in
- Experimental
- Electronic
Amps that pair well with the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier
Soldano
10% matchWhat Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
10% matchPRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Synergy SL2 Module after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
Pedals that stack with the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Paul Cochrane Timmy
Paul Cochrane
8% matchPaul Cochrane Timmy's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Fulltone OCD
Fulltone
7% matchFulltone OCD's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Alexander Pedals Radical Delay
Alexander Pedals
5% matchPut Alexander Pedals Radical Delay after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Meteore
Caroline Guitar Company
5% matchPut Caroline Guitar Company Meteore after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Warm Audio Jet Phaser after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder: modulation reads clearest once the core tone is set
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction goes after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder in the chain
EarthQuaker Devices Zoar V1 Dynamic Audio Grinder
EarthQuaker Devices
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put EarthQuaker Devices Zoar V1 Dynamic Audio Grinder after Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
See all alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder?+
The closest matches in character are the Red Panda Tensor, the Red Witch Synthotron V1, the Chase Bliss Onward. Budget picks: Boss OC-3 Super Octave. Boutique upgrades: Meris Enzo X.
What pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier, PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head — What Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the Electro-Harmonix Iron Lung Vocoder cost?+
Around $204.77 (live listing price, updated Oct 25, 2026).