What Do You Use For Live Band Vocal Effects?
I have a DigiTech Vocal 300, but don't really like it. It adds too much gain.
All I'm looking for is a switch for delay, could I use a guitar effects pedal?
What do you use?
3 Comments »
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pooryorr on 27 Jan 2010 at 6:23 pm #
Hi Tyson:
So… your getting to much gain out of the 300? Have you tried going into the editing mode of the delay that you are using and backing off on the output level? That would be one place to start.
Ok. ive looked up this unit, and see that it has room for only one mic or input source. Heres something you might also want to try. If your mixer has and effects send and return, (or, aux 1, aux 2..etc) FROM the send on the mixer, plug a cable into the processers input. From the output of the Vocal 300, to the return. By doing it this way, you can add effects to anyone who uses mics. Lastly, and this is my favorite way to do it, as it adds a lot more flexibility. Start by doing the same thing, from Aux 1 or Send 1 INTO the input of the vocalist, then from the output of the vocalist to a separate input channel on the mixer. By doing it this way, you have a fader instead of an aux knob, and can also eq the effect as well. Another benefit of this…. you get an unprocessed AND processed signal going to the speakers. Over the years, ive found that you also get a lot more control over the effect that way. We use 2 processers on vocals, a dedicated reverb, and a delay. Each one of these has its own separate channel rather than going through the effects sends and returns. Its a lot easier than trying to blend a reverb/delay program that is built in on the mixer or from just one effects processer.
Now, can you use a guitar effects pedal? Sure, and in either way I just mentioned. I would suggest trying to do some editing on the Vocalist and then try using it in one of the ways I suggested before going on to another delay though.
Hope this has helped.. and good luck.
draciron on 27 Jan 2010 at 10:44 pm #
Folks dive on the mic if I go near it LOL, I stick with guitar, bass and nowdays a little drums.
However we’ve recorded and played live with singers using all sorts of effects. Most singers I’ve jammed with just used the built in effects on the mixer. Most mixers will have the really basic effects. I had an ancient Tascam tape mixer/recorder combo (Mark II) that one singer I jammed with loved to run his vocals through on certain songs. It allowed him to play with the pitch and added basic effects. Other songs he went strait into the mixer with no effects. I’ve seen singers use stomp boxes, even multi-effects pedals. Folks have used my GT-6 many times for vocal effects.
Key thing is finding what’s right for you. It might be a combination of tools. On guitar for recording I mix in tracks using an RP7, GT-6, X3 Live and Genesis 3. Each has strong points that work best for certain moods I’m trying to achieve. Live I just use a single pedal. I’ve tried complex A-B switches on stage and it just got unwieldy and pinned me into a tiny corner. I was taking up almost as much room as the drummer on stage when I tried that. So for live stuff you need one or two sources tops. Rack effects work good on vocals since you rarely want to switch effects mid-song.
You can often find a cheap delay and chorus pedals at pawn shops usually. Give them a try.
ovationl on 28 Jan 2010 at 1:49 am #
Yes you can use a guitar effects pedal.
I use the TC Helicon Create pedal for Delay.
I used to use the DD-5 or DD-20 by Boss for Delay, but I went with the TC Helicon Pedals because they are strictly voice pedals and not guitar pedals.
The difference between the 2 is quality. The TC Helicon Pedals have good preamps in them, so your signal can stay the same or get stronger within the pedals and not weaker.
Either pedal though has a lot of great features. They all come with tap tempo and are all turned off / on by a switch.
The TC Correct also comes with a delay + megaphone effect. Which is awesome. The Create is more than a Delay too, it offers 99 effects / eq. But I only use 4 of them.
Also the TC Create pedal is great for live shows. It is just a eq / shape / compression pedal for vocals. But boosts the quality by a lot.