Voice processors for bass players

[iSteen]

I play bass and sing backing vocals/harmonies.
I would like to sound better, and have thought about getting a voice processor/harmoniser from TC Helicon.

Not all voice processors are a good choice when you play bass, due to the fact that bass usually is single tones - and guitars are chords.

Any recommandations for a simple product?

Thanks

 

[MrLenny1]

Vocal lessons?

 

[Michedelic]

I play bass and sing backing vocals/harmonies.
I would like to sound better, and have thought about getting a voice processor/harmoniser from TC Helicon.

Not all voice processors are a good choice when you play bass, due to the fact that bass usually is single tones - and guitars are chords.

Any recommandations for a simple product?

Thanks


View attachment 4317864

What does any vocal processing have to do with your bass signal, or playing?

 

[TomB]

OP can answer your question, but I’ll add - the TC Helicon (and other vocal harmonizers), require an input from guitar as well as your vocal in order to synthesize your harmonies. They rely on the guitar or piano chord to decide what the vocal harmonies should be. I don’t know what they do if fed a single note. Do they provide major chords only?
More to the OP’s question: What are you hoping to achieve? Are you going to feed 1 or 2 harmony parts to the PA? It’s not designed to “sweeten” a single part, though the newer pedals do include autotune algorithms.
Can you explain better what you’re trying to get as output?

 

[Lesfunk]

Voice live play. Has room sensing microphones that pickup the guitar/keyboard in the monitor
it’s about 95% accurate in catching the harmony. It will mess up If it’s too close to the drums
Or you can get one that takes a guitar input and just run a line from the guitar/keyboard channel out from the board and take their chords

 

[TomB]

Voice live play. Has room sensing microphones that pickup the guitar/keyboard in the monitor
it’s about 95% accurate in catching the harmony. It will mess up If it’s too close to the drums
Or you can get one that takes a guitar input and just run a line from the guitar/keyboard channel out from the board and take their chords

Is that a pedal or a setting on the Helicon?

 

[Lesfunk]

Is that a pedal or a setting on the Helicon?

Pedal
TC Helicon | Product | VOICELIVE PLAY

 

[TomB]

Pedal
TC Helicon | Product | VOICELIVE PLAY

Ok then. They’ve come a long way since the one I owned a few years back. I’m still not sure what OP’s looking for, but thx for the update.

 

[Lesfunk]

Ok then. They’ve come a long way since the one I owned a few years back. I’m still not sure what OP’s looking for, but thx for the update.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out and I’ll try to answer to the best of my ability
if you decide to get one contact me first

 

[Ostie]

I play with a guy who uses a vocal processor and it sounds like crap. It’s a gimmick. A little reverb or delay would be okay. Every time I hear it I want to pull the plug.

 

[pglaser01]

Voicelive is a good unit but be prepared for a steep learning curve.

most of these pedals would revert to an A major key. Also be aware that those pedals will likely mess up a little when a guitar player uses multiple effects before the pedal.

I previously used the harmony singer. Had to have the rhythm player send his dry signal to me first then back to his pedalboard for a true signal.

 

[Tom Bomb]

I just scored a Boss VE-1 and it's a dream. No harmonizing function but I don't need it to harmonize for me anyway. So, it's just subtle verb for one mic, mostly, but with effects, artifacts, should the need arise. The doubling feature's usable, for instance. Early doors

I'm liking this little box for practice too. Makes singing more fun Haven't used it live yet but that's the plan — battery-driven sound guy in a stomp box. In the studio, at home, for me, these things are a dream.
​

 

[two fingers]

I play bass and sing backing vocals/harmonies.
I would like to sound better, and have thought about getting a voice processor/harmoniser from TC Helicon.

Not all voice processors are a good choice when you play bass, due to the fact that bass usually is single tones - and guitars are chords.

Any recommandations for a simple product?

Thanks


View attachment 4317864

Here's what helps singers. Vocal rehearsals. That's what makes singers better. Get together with all vocalists in the band. You gotta have at least one chord instrument there. So one guitar or keys player. Run harmonies. Repeat hard parts.

 

[Father Gino]

Here's what helps singers. Vocal rehearsals

Well phooey to that. Sounds like work

 

[dangevans]

I have been using a TC Helicon Mic Mechanic 2 for my BGVs and the couple tunes I play trumpet on. I don't use the echo, but the reverb is real nice, and it has autotune that you use with a dial. Works wonders for my mic stuff- but although it has auto tune, that doesn't mean you automatically sound right- you DO have to be pretty close to pitch for it to adjust properly. In fact, it has helped me be in tune more because I can tell what notes traditionally I am off-pitch at.
Nothing wrong with using a pedal for vocals. Besides, most bassists use a lot of pedals/effects on amp to enhance sound. Why not vocals too?

 

[Pings Bass]

I play with a guy who uses a vocal processor and it sounds like crap. It’s a gimmick. A little reverb or delay would be okay. Every time I hear it I want to pull the plug.

Same. I had a brief stint in a band with a guy who used one. Very cringe.

Vocal lessons?

That's my advice. Why should vocals be an afterthought? It's the most important thing in the mix for most pop/rock music. Anybody who steps up to the mic and opens their mouth to sing should take it at least as seriously as playing their instrument.

 

[Gustopher]

For those just saying “take lessons” that doesn’t add a harmony part to your own voice. In some bands, like mine, we only have 2 singers and sometimes songs sound sweeter with a little high or low harmony during the backup parts. Lessons won’t add a second vocal line. I use a Digitech unit and it sounds very natural when dialed in right and used sparingly. What I will agree with is this, do not count on one of these vocal processors to correct your pitch. They are all terrible at it and sound unnatural. That’s usually why people don’t like these things, they don’t turn that part off and it sounds very robotic. Turn off the auto correction and it will work well.

 

[devnulljp]

Can't you just run the guitar/keys through the harmonizer instead of your bass?

 

[2112]

View attachment 4317864

If I could like this 1,000 times, I would. Eff cancer.

 

[bmusic]

Get the TC Helicon Perform-V. I have 2 of them.

You don’t have to use the fancy-schmancy effects that some find cringey. It also does basic dynamic management, feedback control, and EQ. No menus, no “save” button, virtually no learning curve.

And when used tastefully, the little doubling or octave effect adds a nice richness—great for BGs.