Vocal Effects Stomp Box

[skidrawk]

I am looking for a vocal effects box in a stomp box configuration. The effects I need mostly are doubling, some eq filtering effects, and a hint of modulation fx like chorus & flanger. I don't need pitch correction or harmony. My max budget is $400 USD. What would you guys recommend?

 

[didgeribass]

Our singer uses a Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer, mainly because we don't have a dedicated sound engineer who would know when to add some delay etc to the vocals in the songs. It has the effects that you said you need (and also the ones you said you don't need) and is flexible regarding output configuration. Phantom power on board. The box can run on batteries. Apparently, it doesn't have the really high end studio sound like e.g. the more expensive TC Electronics stuff (or maybe we just didn't tweak it enough), but for us it was definitely worth the money.

There is a looper uncluded as well, which is not very practical for live performance, but good for soundcheck purposes (you just loop a phrase and then tweak the sound to your liking).

 

[Dave W]

I've heard good things about the TC Helicon stuff, but I have no personal experience with it myself.

 

[skidrawk]

Our singer uses a Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer, mainly because we don't have a dedicated sound engineer who would know when to add some delay etc to the vocals in the songs. It has the effects that you said you need (and also the ones you said you don't need) and is flexible regarding output configuration. Phantom power on board. The box can run on batteries. Apparently, it doesn't have the really high end studio sound like e.g. the more expensive TC Electronics stuff (or maybe we just didn't tweak it enough), but for us it was definitely worth the money.

There is a looper uncluded as well, which is not very practical for live performance, but good for soundcheck purposes (you just loop a phrase and then tweak the sound to your liking).

Wow I just checked this out and looks like just what I need. thanks man. I will be working with really good soundmen but I really need these effects punched in and out at just the right phrases. I feel more confident doing this myself rather than rely on the house guy. I am hoping I can chain this off my one spot power supply. I don't need studio quality. I just need something that sounds good live.

 

[keiththebassist]

The TC Helicon is nice, has a small footprint and decent sound.

But the Boss VE-20 is what my vocalist uses now and it's way more versatile, easy to use and has some seriously killer sounds. He bought another one so he can effect two different mics live, that's what I'd go with...

 

[Floyd Eye]

We tried out the Digitech unit. the one with the expression pedal. Sound was OK. There is a constant hiss though.

 

[COOL AND DEADLY]

I've heard good things about the TC Helicon stuff, but I have no personal experience with it myself.

I play with a guy who uses a TC Helicon Vocal processor/ pre amp. It's very useful and versatile.

 

[badstonebass]

IMO, I have not heard one that doesn't muck up the sound of the vocals. Yes in THEORY they are great but in practice not so much.

 

[didgeribass]

OP: If you have a FOH soundguy, then the VE-20 allows you to split your signal into dry and wet, so that the amount of FX on your vocals can be adjusted to sound good through the PA (something which is quite hard to adjust if you are on stage). That's a kind of an additional benefit.

I used this unit for didgeridoo (with mixed results), and powered it from the power supply on my (bass-) pedaboard. However, it lasts pretty long on batteries too.

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

This might sound strange, but we've messed around with using a Line6 PodXT Live pedal for vocal effects. It has some very nice reverbs and delays, compressors and eq's, flangers, leslies, and even a wah-wah pedal for some very cool comb filtering effects. It's very sturdy, and can be found in the used market for under $200 bucks.
That Boss unit looks a little flimsy to be stomping on...

 

[skidrawk]

Funny thing happening today - I'm playing around with my harmonica stuff today and realize I can get the EQ effects I'm looking for singing through a green bullet and a small tube combo. I am so happy!

 

[skidrawk]

Got the Boss VE-20 and it works perfect for my application. thanks.

 

[Warfender]

How is the Boss VE-20 for tracking harmonies? Can you pick if the voice is male or female or does it just use the same lead voice and use that in the harmonies? Thx.