Vocal Processors

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Member Since: Nov 07, 2008

I'm looking to buy a live vocal processor for a female singer in my heavy metal band. She sings (doesn't scream) and usually gets drowned out by our low-end-heavy distorted guitars (I'm a guitarist).

I know if I had more money I should probably get separate units (preamp, compressor, reverb, chorus, delay, etc.) but I'm guessing that would cost me a ton. (Unless someone can enlighten me otherwise)

I've been looking at the
TC Helicon VoiceLive Vocal Floor Processor and the
DigiTech Vocalist Live 4 Harmony Processor.
I'd like to have distortion too, but that's not really a necessity.

Now the complaints I've heard on the TC Helicon is that it's not reliable and it just stops working after a certain period of time. Hopefully those were just lemons, and not the norm.

And my main general worry is feedback problems. I own a DigiTech Vocal 300 and I get crazy feedback from it and can't get a great quality sound from it. But I don't know if either of those are just due to my lack of knowledge.

Sorry for the wordiness, let me know your opinions, and why.

Thanks,
Mike
-:>D

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 07, 2008 04:48 pm

While I really like the TC Helicon gear, it is true that they have had a few issues with the unit in question. I'm not sure if it is a durability thing or what though.

I've used Digitech in the past with great success, although it has usually been in the studio and not live.

I'm not really sure what might be causing the feedback you are getting with the other unit. More then likely it is in the way the signal chain and gain staging is set up.

My personal choice though for a female vocalist would be the Digitech unit for sure though. You will find it much easier to edit and set up then the TC unit.

Member
Since: Nov 07, 2008

Nov 11, 2008 12:14 pm

Do you think the TC Helicon would produce a better quality sound though? Because if it's just about usability, then I'm willing to put in some time if the TC Helicon is a better option.

Or, are you saying the Digitech lends itself better to a female voice?

Either way, thanks for the input.

Mike
-:>D

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Nov 11, 2008 12:30 pm

Honestly, if your singer is being drowned out during live performances, I really doubt that effects processing will help.

I'd start with finding the optimum settings for your PA system, learn the best EQ settings on both the guitars and the vocals, and get control of your stage volume (drums, guitar, and vocal).

Remember that you can't just push every frequency to the maximum of human perception and expect anything but unintelligible mush. The vocals need their own space in the sonic spectrum, with little competetition from other instruments.

Instead of a processing unit, I'd put that money towards one or more graphic or parametric EQ boxes and work on your stage mix. Otherwise your singer will still be drowned out, but with a little echo added :)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 11, 2008 07:25 pm

I think what he is looking to do is process the vocal as it would be with a proper chain in the PA and rather then using a complete chain of Comp, EQ and so on he is looking for s single unit to do it.

As far as comparing the two units, I guess I would personally choose the TC first. A bit more money but it has a tiny edge as far as the compression algorithms and such go.

AS for using it for harmony parts they are both pretty equal on that respect.

Member
Since: Nov 07, 2008

Nov 12, 2008 10:52 am

Thanks to both of you.

I think I am going to go with the TC Helicon. I WAS looking for an all-in-one unit for both convenience and ease of use. Even though I know this unit will take a little tweaking.

Thanks for the responses.

Mike
-:>D

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 12, 2008 03:35 pm

The TC unit has a good set of patches to start from. I suggest trying s few that might be directed at what you are looking to do and then tweak from there. It will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Good luck with it as well, and let us know how it works out.

Member
Since: Nov 07, 2008

Nov 13, 2008 11:54 am

That's a good suggestion, thanks. It'll be a good starting point.

And I'll definitely let you know how it goes and put some reviews up on sites. Too many of these sites have awful reviews.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Mike
-:>D

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Nov 13, 2008 02:38 pm

The average gear review online goes one of 3 ways:

1). This gear is sweet totally sweet I don't own it but it looks soooo cool

2). I hate this gear it sucks so bad I can't even get it to work I didn't read the manual but it should work but it doesn't so it sucks.

3). Or, an actual thought out, well-phrased, fact-filled review written by somebody who actually graduated from high school and/or attended an English class once or twice in their lifetime. These are exceedingly rare and should be treasured when found.

Let us know how it turns out for you. I still think that if the singer was being drowned out before, she will still be drowned out even with the effects box.

I haven't gigged out in a long time now, and when I did, neither I nor my bandmates had any idea about sound engineering. If I knew then what I know now, I might have actually learned some of the lyrics to our songs. I could never hear our singer, nor could our audience.

So now that I don't gig any more, I feel compelled to spout the gospel of the sonic spectrum any chance I get. Humor an old man next time you rehearse and carve out a little -3dB notch in the 1kHz - 4kHz range in all of the instruments except the vocals, and the vocals should shine through much more clearly. Then the audience can enjoy all the cool new vocal effects without them getting lost amongst the other instruments.

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