vocal effects

[weeo]

Hi All
I'm thinking about upgrading my PA. Does anyone have any thoughts on the effects unit (for vocals)i should be going for.
At the moment i'm using a peavey fx unit.
I've heard good reports about the lexicon,but i don't know which model. A good reverb / delay unit is what i'm looking for.I'd appreciate opinions on the best to get without breaking the bank.
I'm open to any and all suggestions

[geraint]

Hi Weeo,
I dont know what sort of gigs your'e running, but for the smaller venue, Ive got a Yamaha EMX 512 XL, and I find the vocal effects on there to be excellent.

Only 500w output, but the effects are good.

[alpina]

Hi Weeo,
Last Xmas I treated myself to the voiceworks by tc helicon.. Expensive but awesome

[peteracox]

alpina said:

Hi Weeo,
Last Xmas I treated myself to the voiceworks by tc helicon.. Expensive but awesome

Hi, I'm thinking of getting the same unit how easy is it to program for different key's etc? did you get the foot pedal as i play guitar on stage i was wondering how accessible the patches are.

Cheers

Pete.

[levi2]

yo Pete have a listen to this
www.digitech.com/products/Vocalist_Live2/index.php

[peteracox]

Hi Levi2, Thanks for your reply. I looked in to the digitech one and couldnt work out how usefull it would be when im playing lead riffs and sort of funky picking stuff,it seems like you have to be playing full chords for it to work correctly.

Cheers

Pete

[levi2]

Yo pete did u play the short demo theres a full one that explains it better

levi2

[peteracox]

No i don't think i did play the full one will take a look.

Cheers

Pete.

[charlie]

Hey Levi2,

Was thinking about ordering the Vocalist Live 2. Wow! What a cool sound. However, I did have the same concerns as Pete. Will I have to play full chords all the time to get the correct harmonies? Also, I was wondering about unison effects too. Sometimes all that is needed is a little thickening to make the vocal stand out.

Thanks,

Charlie

[alpina]

I use the footswitch to work through the songlist.

I tried to set up the chords using midi but couldnt quite get it right.

Tc Helicon let you download an editor thats makes it really easy to set up chords etc.

Look at tchelicon's web site , there is a load of info and downloads to read through.


Andy

[weeo]

Thanks for the replys guys,but we seem to have lost the plot somewhere along the line.
The original thread was to get some opinions on a good reverb/delay unit.
I'm not really looking for a harmoniser.Thanks anyway.
Weeo

[alpina]

Ahh but the plot is not lost grasshopper.
The voice works is not harmony alone . Brilliant reverb/delay/ chorus/ thickening and pitch correction.

Andy

[smoothtalk]

I've alway's found the alesis gear to be quite effective (excuse the pun )
and relly quite affordable.

[charlie]

Hey everybody,

Merry Christmas! It's been a while since I posted...so here goes. Just wanted to say I did pick up the Digitech Vocalist Live 2....and wow! Let me tell you about the pros and cons. First, the pros:
1. Yes, it can generate correct harmonies even if you only play parts of a chord on the guitar because it listens to your vocal track also and extrapolates a harmony based on what you're playing and singing. (only problem is the vocal track has to be the root of the chord)
2. The enhance section under the vocal processor section is very useful to add, subtract, or otherwise modify the EQ of the main vocal and harmonies. Depending on the texture of your voice, you will have to find the correct setting that works for you.
3. The input trim is very sensitive and must be set so that your mic will not feed back, otherwise a good gain source without having to adjust the input fader at the main mixer.
4. The harmonies sound very natural and if used sparingly, sound very authentic. Background oohs and ahs particularly sound good, when doing background harmonies for a lead vocalist. One thing I discovered was that "less is more". In other words, just one harmony part above or below along with the lead vocal part sounds more convincing. Too much harmony and it sounds processed....somewhat like too much syrup on a pancake...you lose the taste of the pancake.
OK, now the cons:
1. The digital reverb is good, but decay times are very limited. I found myself only using the longest decay time because the other settings were so close to dry, that it defeated the purpose. (however, it's all relative...I just like reverb...maybe the other settings would sound good to someone else)
2. The unsion settings are useless if you're looking for a "doubled" kind of sound. It does thicken the vocal track, but as far as "doubling" ....the TC Helicon Vocal Doubler blows it away...albeit at 3 times the price.

All in all, I am pleased with the Vocalist and with a little more tweaking, I believe it will be a valuable tool to create background harmonies that sound natural. Very easy to operate and built sturdy. Plus, a built in guitar tuner. Oh, and if you want to try "Seven Bridges Road" by The Eagles acapella...do it and watch the audience faces. They cant believe what they're hearing.

Charlie

[JohnG]

A little early but what the heck! Merry Christmas to you too Charlie.

A good review, thank you.

Since you were last here, I imagine, a new thread has opened up on Instruments - Gadgets and Gizmos. I'd say your review here is a prime candidate for that thread so that people don't have to search threads for product reviews. WOuld you like to copy and paste it there? Or would you mind if I did giving you full credit for the post?

Best regards,
JohnG.

[charlie]

Sure John, please post it where it can be viewed the best. I just saw the original thread here and so I posted my reply here.

Thanks!

Charlie