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Does anyone have any experience in using vocal harmony-hardware like the TC-Helicon VoiceLive (2) or the Digitech counterparts? I'm looking for a piece of gear that can add good quality harmonies in a live situation. It will be used mainly on stage as a harmoniser for the background vocalist, but I also want to be able to use it in the home-studio.
The TC VoiceLive 2 looks very promissing, but how does the quality of that unit compare to the TC VoiceWorks Plus? Or is the Digitech the winner when it comes to quality voicing? Or are there other companies that offer even better solutions.?
There is no store in the neighbourhood that has these units in stock, so can't play around with them to see which one suits me the best. I'll have to make a preselection now before I can arrange a testsession.
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TC Helicon I've seen used live with good results. I would suggest a trip to the local music store where you can try them all out.
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You just might be able to locate some demos for each on Youtube...
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I have used the DigiTech vocalist before, in my last studio, and have achieved very good results. There is a new one now that I just googled called Vocalist VL3D. I am on my way now to the music store to check it out. This one even has pitch correction, and gender control. It is $299.99. I just might buy it. I have also heard the TC is a very high quality unit, in the hardware form.
Gene
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I have messed with both, and find the TC units to sound more natural, the Digitechs are nice too, but i like the smoothness of the TC sound. The newer rack mounts units from both can run off guitar or midi input, that is a big plus in the studio. For a small two voice live setup i prefer the TC harmony G
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Mike,
I use the Digitech Vocalist 4 and I am very pleased with many of the set harmonies but you can also fine tune 50 the way you want them. I use many of the presets on gigs once or twice a week. On my site right now I have an example on Who's Gonna Fill My Shoes. It is a preset one part female harmony on the chorus. I am truly satisfied as it makes my vocals really jump out at you when I step on that harmony switch.
Later,
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I just ordered the Vocalist VL3D. I did so because I have tried the vocalist before. This one has pitch correction which I can certainly use. Should be here Tuesday. I will post a sample next week for some forum feedback.
Gene
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Thanks for the input.
Danny, I've listened to "who's gonna fill their shoes". Though I like the song, I find the high pitched harmonies a bit robotic. Could be the Digitech had to strech it to the limit; the other harmonies sounded fine.
I know that Russ also uses a Digitech.
Still not sure which unit to go for: the demo's on the company sites and the demos on YouTube are fine, but ofcourse made by the companies and thus made to sound to the perfection.
I will call the store and arrange a testsession.
Still I'd like to hear from people who use such gear live on stage. How usable are these units on gigs?
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What i want to know is, can you set a midi track to control the units where the harmonies kick in and out without having to click the foot switch?
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Quote:
Thanks for the input.
Danny, I've listened to "who's gonna fill their shoes". Though I like the song, I find the high pitched harmonies a bit robotic. Could be the Digitech had to strech it to the limit; the other harmonies sounded fine.
I know that Russ also uses a Digitech.
Still not sure which unit to go for: the demo's on the company sites and the demos on YouTube are fine, but ofcourse made by the companies and thus made to sound to the perfection.
I will call the store and arrange a testsession.
Still I'd like to hear from people who use such gear live on stage. How usable are these units on gigs?
Mike, I agree, but take into consideration I just got it out of the box and I JUST HAD TO DO ONE MAN! Also there are so many settings that can be tweaked in thousands of combinations I am sure you'll find something you like. Oh yes, I use mine live on stage at least twice a week and love it. However you are taking the best action and that is testing live, good luck.
Later,
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Quote:
What i want to know is, can you set a midi track to control the units where the harmonies kick in and out without having to click the foot switch?
Robh,
Now sure what and why a midi track would control the vocal effects but I am guessing the answer would still be no as I have to step on a pedal to bring in the harmonies when I want them. Maybe a dumb question but you do know that the harmonies happen live at the click of the pedal with this unit?
Hope this helps.
Later,
Last edited by Danny C.; 05/13/09 06:49 PM.
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Citaat:
Mike, I agree, but take into consideration I just got it out of the box and I JUST HAD TO DO ONE MAN!
Can't we all relate to that 
Get new toy --> use new toy --> tweak new toy --> play some more --> have coffee --> take a look at the manual 
Citaat:
Oh yes, I use mine live on stage at least twice a week and love it.
That sounds like music to my ears!
Ooooooooh dear..............excuse me ......................gotto go......... ooooooooooooh no............ I've got
...................................................G A S !!!!
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yes i understand how the boxes work, but the rack mount versions also realte to Midi signal, and i wonder if a off/on comand could be send along with the notes to harmonize to and make it easy to have hanmonies kickin without having to step on the switch. This would be so cool and seemless, and no one would ever see you click the switch. Plus one less thing to have as a distraction while playing.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Check the manual for the device in question and see if there isn't a MIDI command or a Sysex command that can be inserted in a MIDI file that duplicates the footswitch action.
--Mac
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I looked up the manual for the Digitech vocalist VL3D, and it allow midi CC comands, and support harmony on/off, patch change, and many more that could be very useful live with RB as a midi track with CC commands could be included in a song to make appropriate program changes during a song. Having the harmony come in and even chage at specific points could be very powerful.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Quote:
yes i understand how the boxes work, but the rack mount versions also realte to Midi signal, and i wonder if a off/on comand could be send along with the notes to harmonize to and make it easy to have hanmonies kickin without having to step on the switch. This would be so cool and seemless, and no one would ever see you click the switch. Plus one less thing to have as a distraction while playing.
Oh a rack model . . . I now have a better understanding re: the midi switch question. And yes that would indeed be a nice feature.
Later,
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The vocalist 2 and vocalist 4 have no midi features. The harmonies are controlled by your guitar. Nice feature as you're not stuck having to get midi system to use it.
Some of the harmonies aren't all that great because of the stretch needed for your voice. But if you have a good mid ranged voice then you can pull it off almost perfectly. Most men have a baritone/bass voice while others have a good tenor/suprano voice. Baritone is rich and messes with the sounds a bit so it's hard to get a good female voice out of it. But a tenor wouldn't have any sweat with it. But just used as a simple harmony all male sound you can't beat it. It's way better than the TCHelicon that comes with BB or PTW.
Russ
Russ Anyday above ground is a good day Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision 6 Ghz quad core AMD processor 8 Gig memory 1 TB hard drive 6 GB hard drive Windows 7 Premium Loose nut behind the keyboard 
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I'm still waiting for my Digitech vocalist VL3D from musician's friend. Of course. It's backordered. Hate that.
Gene
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Russ the digitech VL3D Will respond to midi, guitar or audio signal.
What i would realy like to have is the new TC box live 2 i hear it is the very best, but it is far more expensive. So I am going for the VL3D for $300
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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My VL3D arrived today. Oh boy, does it look full featured. Too bad it is Midnight again already. . . . Just not enough time in a day it seems like. Among other things, it has a humanize feature that puts timing changes into the harmonies, from "tight to loose". Unfortunately, I will have to pull the plug for now. . .
Gene
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