A very low bit rate algorithm for encoding speech signals at 825 bps based on a mixed harmonic and stochastic modeling of the excitation signal is presented. The algorithm is more robust in the V/UV decision, reliable pitch estimation, and excitation signals synthesis. The bit allocation schedules in every case and the analysis-by-synthesis processes of the parameters are also described. The Diagnostic Rhyme Test (DRT) results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is comparable to that of the MELP algorithm at 2.4 kbps, and the speech distinctness is 90.25%. A very low bit rate algorithm for encoding speech signals at 825 bps based on a mixed harmonic and stochastic modeling of the excitation signal is presented. The algorithm is more robust in the V / UV decision, reliable pitch estimation, and excitation signals synthesis. bit allocation schedules in every case and the analysis-by-synthesis processes of the parameters are also described. The Diagnostic Rhyme Test (DRT) results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is comparable to that of the MELP algorithm at 2.4 kbps, and the speech distinctness is 90.25%.