TC Helicon Voicesolo VSM-300 XT

basss · #1 10-09-2009, 03:11 PM

Just received one of these. I've been looking around for something real small for those 'just barely too loud to go ampless' situations - drummerless restaurant gigs - acoustic jazz in small rehearsal spaces. Playing ampless I often feel like my sound is getting out there - people say they can hear me fine - but I'd like to hear myself better since the sound is firing out in front of me - I think this will solve the problem.

So far in my apartment it sounds real nice with my Full Circle. The piezo pickup isn't capable of fully driving the preamp which I'm looking at as a safety catch - this thing is designed for vocals and I'm not sure about pumping a big bass signal through it. I can get a bigger sound with my sansamp in front of it. The flat sound is a bit bright but not bad - it does have an EQ which helps here. It also has a mic input with phantom power. I tried an Audix D4 and it sounds fine. I'm not really into mics unless I'm going through a real PA but I'll play with it more later.

I have a wedding gig tomorrow - I'll be doing the cocktail hour on the doghouse and will bring this. It's not going to push any low end out in the room but at least I'll be able to hear myself above the guests' half drunken babbling.

basss · #2 10-11-2009, 05:01 PM

It worked well. There was a drummer on the cocktail hour which I wasn't expecting but the little amp still managed to fill out the acoustic sound enough to work with a piano trio. I have a Genz Benz 3.0 10t combo but wouldn't have the volume past 2 in this situation and this thing is much smaller and lighter than that. I had to schlep slab, doghouse and a bigger amp for the reception to this gig so it was nice to have an amp that was near invisible schlep-wise for the cocktail hr.

JeffKissell · #3 10-21-2009, 09:33 AM

... any more thoughts or observations on this lil' powered monitor?
This seems very interesting, especially for no drummer type gigs.
-J

basss · #4 10-21-2009, 10:45 AM

I've used it on a couple apartment jams since the last gig. I've been experimenting with different preamps in front of it to get more gain. It doesn't really push much sound out into the room and is pretty directional but for personal monitoring it sounds pretty good. It really depends on the room and the volume of the rest of the band. It's perfect for those 'just beyond acoustic' situations or if you want a sound source pointed at your head.

basss · #5 10-22-2009, 10:06 AM

I've been trying a few preamps and DI's in front of this amp (Countryman, Avenson Small DI, Rolls ADB2, Sansamp BDDI, Fishman BII). My old Fishman pre sounds noticably better than everything else. The DI's all seem to have a plasticy sheen and pingy attack which the Fishman seems to smooth out nicely. The Sansamp sounds a bit too processed and bass guitar like. I'll probably be carrying around the Fishman pre with this amp. Looking back I might have bought the TC Helicon 200xt to save a few bucks since I'll be using an outboard pre but it's nice have the option of using the EQ on the amp and being able to go without the preamp if I want. I've also been looking at the Mackie SRM150 which has an instrument level input. I have a feeling that the Mackie would also sound better with the Fishman in front of it anyways but may pick one up to audition at some point.

basss · #6 10-23-2009, 02:45 PM

After another round with the preamps I'm now favoring the Avenson Small DI with this. I had previously been using the +20db boost switch with all the DI's. They all sound much better with it switched out. I have to boost the input gain a lot but can get enough output this way. The 'shape' knob can also be used with the DI (and can't be used with the line input) which scoops mids and helps to get a good sound.

JeffKissell · #7 10-23-2009, 07:48 PM

Are you using a pick-up or a mic?

basss · #8 10-23-2009, 10:40 PM

Fishman Full Circle

seamonkey · #9 10-25-2009, 03:54 PM

Looks good!

These things are going for $200
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...m_medium=feed&

Lowest set point for the low cut is 75hz, but a lot of bass amps really can't do any better.
Maybe they're come up with an inexpensive lightweight sub for it?

basss · #10 10-25-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Looks good!

These things are going for $200
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...m_medium=feed&

Lowest set point for the low cut is 75hz, but a lot of bass amps really can't do any better.
Maybe they're come up with an inexpensive lightweight sub for it?

Thats where I got mine. The $200 includes the shoulder bag too. The 75hz limiter is needed to keep from blowning the small speaker with this small cabinet. These things don't push much low end at all but the sound doesn't drop out on the low notes. It sounds pretty balanced across the bass. They really benefit from an impedance buffer (at least with my FC pickup).

JeffKissell · #11 10-25-2009, 04:35 PM

I'm seriously considering this as a personal mic monitor, just running it inline to the main board B4 FOH. I've been going mic only lately and I've been missing some articulation from the floor wedgies.

Has anyone tried this with a mic only for DB?

-J