Vocal processors....yay or nay

[Norton666]

I've been tossing around the idea of a little vocal processor for live use. Something like a voice live play that I can just have on my pedalboard. Mostly for some single voice harmonies that the other guys in the band can't hit live. Maybe some echo here and there. It would be nice to have my comp/limiting in my own hands when we play a venue with a shitty rig. Anyone use one?

 

[Mr. Willy]

I guy in my band used one for a bit. I wanted to break it into a million pieces over his head. I can't stand them at all. Processed vocal harmonies never sound good to me. Processed guitar harmonies are passable but not vocal harmonies, IHMO.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have one (Digitech Vocalist Live Pro), but I don't use it for harmonies.

 

[NoodlerKS]

IMO Nay.

Harmonizers sound cheap and come off lame. Most of the preamps aren't as good as most venues house boards.
If you're switching presets monitors could turn into a bit of headache. Also, most decent FOH engineers have a better idea of what sounds good than most musicians so he/she can take care of any verbs/delays/compression/eq you feel might be needed.

 

[gkinsingapore]

Hate them.

Two weeks ago my bass player turned up with one at a gig. Unbeknown to me he spilt my guitar feed into the desk with one output going to this harmoniser pedal and it TOTALLY screwed with my sound. He also forgot to turn it off a few times and started speaking to the crowd in 3 part harmony. Looked like a massive tool.

At least he recognised that it wasnt a viable way forward and has agreed to leave it for his solo acoustic gigs which obviously are none of my concern...

 

[Schaf]

If you get a cheap one and don't know how to use it, it will come off as lame. But, some of the more expensive TC-helicon units can sound great if you know how to use them. The problem is most people run the harmony level too high and it comes across as digital sounding.

But if used correctly they can be beneficial.

And yes you have to turn them off when they're not suppose to be used. Not the processers fault.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Used sparingly and correctly they can be awesome. They can also lead to disaster.

 

[jiveturkey]

Used sparingly and correctly they can be awesome. They can also lead to disaster.

^That. Of course they will sound like poop when you are using the "Chipmunks +3 octaves up" setting. Use it like any other effect (tastefully) and they do a good job. The TC Helicon pedals are nice.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

 

[legend71]

I use a doubler at every gig. It is on my pedalboard. It works pretty good. I can sing pretty well and that helps too. It doesn't harmonize but it will add octave above or below you. Pretty cool tool.

 

[Badronald]

Never heard one sound good.

 

[timeroo]

I guy in my band used one for a bit. I wanted to break it into a million pieces over his head. I can't stand them at all. Processed vocal harmonies never sound good to me. Processed guitar harmonies are passable but not vocal harmonies, IHMO.

I agree with this. Only difference is, I bought it for myself and wanted to break it over my own head. I literally hated the shit out of the stupid thing. After that I just told the sound guy to give me a LITTLE bit of verb on my vocals and toss a touch of delay on long held notes/screams.

I am giving this a big fat NAY.

 

[jharpersj]

No for sure, I want to see a live band that is actually live, if your band mates can't sing a part, don't do the part or tell them to practice.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I guy in my band used one for a bit. I wanted to break it into a million pieces over his head. I can't stand them at all. Processed vocal harmonies never sound good to me. Processed guitar harmonies are passable but not vocal harmonies, IHMO.

I agree with this. Only difference is, I bought it for myself and wanted to break it over my own head. I literally hated the shit out of the stupid thing. After that I just told the sound guy to give me a LITTLE bit of verb on my vocals and toss a touch of delay on long held notes/screams.

I am giving this a big fat NAY.

That's the way the guy in my band was using it, just adding delay. I didn't understand why he needed it anyway. I can take a little reverb but not much more than that. Also, he never could set it right, and it was always feeding back. Always. Thankfully he ditched it before I gave him an ultimatum. It was that annoying. I'm sure if he could've figured out how to use it correctly, it would've been tolerable.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Hate them Our singer uses one...some voicelive thing. Damn thing is nothing but a feedbacking pos imo. He's constantly trying to tweak it and cant never dial it in to sound good. It has great capabilities but I don't think theyre needed for live performing. Its a better studio tool

My singers name is Wes. Me and the drummer joke and before every show we're like "did Wesley bring the feedbacks?"

 

[Schaf]

I guy in my band used one for a bit. I wanted to break it into a million pieces over his head. I can't stand them at all. Processed vocal harmonies never sound good to me. Processed guitar harmonies are passable but not vocal harmonies, IHMO.

I agree with this. Only difference is, I bought it for myself and wanted to break it over my own head. I literally hated the shit out of the stupid thing. After that I just told the sound guy to give me a LITTLE bit of verb on my vocals and toss a touch of delay on long held notes/screams.

I am giving this a big fat NAY.

That's the way the guy in my band was using it, just adding delay. I didn't understand why he needed it anyway. I can take a little reverb but not much more than that. Also, he never could set it right, and it was always feeding back. Always. Thankfully he ditched it before I gave him an ultimatum. It was that annoying. I'm sure if he could've figured out how to use it correctly, it would've been tolerable.

Are the effects through the monitors? If so, no wonder. Especially if it's more than just a touch or with some regenerating delay? Pretty much every example here is people not knowing what they are doing trying to run the thing. It's like any other kind of effect. Use way too much reverb, it's going to sound like ass. Use way too much delay.....It's going to sound like ass. Used in small doses, a good one can sound fine.