Skype Voice Changer 2.2

This is more about demonstrating a clever technology than providing a genuinely useful service. With that in mind, it's certainly fun to play with.

Skype Voice Changer is based on the numerous applications that are available to artificially alter voices. Some of us have tried out such tools before, while many of us have encountered them in the form of special effects or, most memorably and horrifically, in a certain teenage girl's song about her favourite day of the week that caused a storm on YouTube.

What's different about this software is that it works in real time. Rather than take an entire recording and work its magic, it aims to alter your voice so quickly that you can hold a conversation with your chat partner hearing your distorted voice without any obvious delays.

The control set-up is simple but effective. You start by choosing from a range of pre-set filters and effects, then make the call on Skype. While talking, you can tweak features such as pitch and echo, with the changes taking immediate effect without you needing to restart the software or the call.

Frankly there will be few reasons why you'd want to use this regularly unless you are really into crank calls. That said, it's certainly worth a look if you have an elderly relative who often wonders at "the things they can do with computers noawadays."

Pro's: Fun effect; technically impressive

Con's: No real practical purpose

Conclusions: Worth a look, but only of sustained interest to techies