Voice Changers Are Coming to Console Gaming

There are plenty of reasons to use a voice changer when gaming, whether you just want anonymity, or the jokes and memes that come with using a soundboard. Historically, voice changers have been easier to use on PC than on consoles, because PCs let you run your voice changing program alongside your game, and console manufacturers aren't keen to let you do the same thing on their machines. That's where the Voicemod Key comes in.

A custom piece of hardware, Voicemod Key gets around console restrictions by changing your voice before it even gets to your console. It's a USB dongle that you plug into your phone, with an input for the voice signal from your headphones, and an output that sends a modified version of that signal to your device. Essentially, you run your voice through the Voicemod app, which passes it on to your game.

While in the app, you'll be able to access user-generated sound clips, real-time voice customization, and over 100 pre-made voice changers. The downside is that you'll need to deal with at least two extra cables and to keep your phone nearby and tethered to you while you play, and you'll need to be using a wired headset with a 3.5mm cable. The upside is that you can make yourself sound like Snoop Dogg on Xbox, so, priorities.

Voicemod Key is a clever idea, and certainly far more robust than the dozens of voice changer boxes currently for sale from no-name companies on Amazon that are limited to a handful of fixed settings. It avoids the lag that comes with using Remote Play, which is Voicemod's current solution for consoles.

Voicemod Key will first launch to 500 beta testers, with the company aiming for testers to get their devices in Q3 2024. The company says the device will support both USB-C and Lightning connectors, and you can sign up for the beta on its website. No official pricing has been announced yet, although The Verge reports the key will be bundled with a Voicemod Pro subscription.