Vocal FX

Rhythmic Vocal Sequences With iWish

By Psiger · Updated July 2026

Watch the full breakdown

Infected Mushroom iWish lets you play a vocal sample like a synth: trigger it from MIDI, pitch it across the keyboard, and warp its formants. That makes it perfect for the syncopated, rhythmic vocal sequences that sit so well in psytrance.

In the video Psiger sets up iWish from scratch, syncs it to the grid, and builds risers and transitions with delay and pitch tricks. Here are the key steps.

Key takeaways

iWish turns a vocal sample into a MIDI-playable, pitched instrument.
Pick a clean vocal source. It sets the ceiling for the whole sequence.
Route MIDI so each note plays the vocal at a different pitch.
Adjust pitch and formant separately to keep vocals natural or deliberately warped.
Quantize the vocal tightly to the grid so it locks with the drums.
Use delay, sweeps and pitch-up effects to build risers and transitions from the same patch.

Choose and prepare the vocal sample

▶ Play from 0:38

Start by picking a vocal sample and preparing it for iWish. A clean, clear source works best because everything downstream, pitch, formant, rhythm, is easier when the raw material is good. Trim it to the useful part before loading.

Good source in, good sequence out. This choice sets the ceiling for the whole patch.

Set up MIDI routing for iWish

▶ Play from 1:13

Route MIDI into iWish so you can trigger the vocal from a clip. This turns the sample into a playable instrument where each MIDI note plays the vocal at a different pitch, which is the foundation of a melodic vocal sequence.

Get the routing right and you can write vocal lines in the piano roll like any other instrument.

Pitch and formant adjustment

▶ Play from 1:52

Adjust pitch and formant separately. Pitch moves the note, formant changes the vocal character without changing the note, so you can keep a vocal sounding natural as you move it up, or deliberately make it chipmunk or deep for effect.

Independent pitch and formant control is what keeps the vocal usable across a wide range.

Sync vocals with quantize

▶ Play from 2:43

Use quantize settings so the vocal hits lock tightly to the grid with the kick, bass and drums. A vocal sequence that is even slightly off the grid fights the groove, so tightening the timing is essential before you add effects.

Lock the rhythm first, then make it interesting.

Build risers and transitions with delay

▶ Play from 7:43

Use rhythmic delay, sweeps, risers and pitch-up effects to turn the vocal sequence into transitions and build-ups. Pitching the vocal up over a bar, or feeding it into a delay, creates tension that leads into the drop.

The same iWish patch can serve both the main groove and the transitions, which keeps the vocal identity consistent across the track.

Common questions

Psytrance production FAQ

What is the iWish plugin used for?

iWish, by Infected Mushroom, lets you play a vocal or any sample like a synth: it maps the sample across the keyboard so each MIDI note triggers it at a different pitch, with independent formant control. That makes it ideal for building rhythmic, melodic vocal sequences and transitions in psytrance.

How do I keep a pitched vocal from sounding like a chipmunk?

Use formant control. Pitch shifting alone changes both the note and the vocal character, which is what causes the chipmunk effect. Adjusting the formant independently lets you move the pitch up or down while keeping the vocal sounding natural, or push the formant deliberately when you want the effect.

How do I make a vocal sequence lock with the beat?

Quantize the MIDI triggering the vocal so the hits snap to the grid, then check them against the kick, bass and drums. A vocal sequence even slightly off the grid fights the groove. Tighten the timing first, before adding reverb, delay or pitch effects on top.