Live vocal chain - Singer controlling fx from onstage

[Meriphew]

What's the best way for a singer to control their own vocal fx from onstage, and still get a good signal to the FOH? I use a TC Electronics M-One (for reverb), and an Electrix Mo-Fx (midi sync'd for delay) on my voice live, but would like to maintain (footswitchable) control over the fx, as I do in rehearsals.

I was thinking of using a little Mackie (1402 or 1202) onstage, using one channel for dry vox, and a couple channels for wet (fx) vox. Then send 3 (1 dry, 2 wet) outs to the FOH.

Anyone else doing this, or something similar? Any feedback/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thx!

[Gerax]

I know some very big and famous singers do something like that: I saw David Bowie stomp over his footpedals to control his effects during a live performance, same thing with PJ Harvey who had some very radical effects on her voice (and had a rack of Eventides and other nice toys by her side)!

I'd go with a simple yet powerful setup: 1 quality mic preamp or channelstrip, your FX unit of chioce (or units), a quality line mixer (Ashly, Rane or the likes...) and a MIDI footcontroller. I'd hook the preamp straight into the mixer so as to have a direct line, then I'd use the mixer to feed the FX units and send the FOH guy either 3 separate lines (1 dry vocal, 2 100% wet FX L+R) or a stereo mix.
I'd use the MIDI controller to change FX presets and to alter the dry/wet ratio of the FX with continuous controller footpedals.
A good unit for this could be the (unfortunately discontinued) Digital Music Corp./Voodoo Lab Ground Control + System Mix Plus, which were designed for guitar use, but being really clean will work great for vocal applications too. They are a line mixer (which can take several FX units) with VCA level control and a peadlboard which can be expanded with up to 2 expression pedals (like Boss or Ernie Ball) to control MIDI parameters of your FX units in real time, plus overal volume or dry/wet mix, and obviously your FX patches and presets. I have it for my former guitar rack and it was great.

If you think the FOH guy will need to have final control over your voice EQ or FX level then send him 3 separate lines.

Hope this helps

L.G.

[Meriphew]

Thx for the reply Lorenzo. I'm thinking along the same lines as to what you stated. What I'm really trying to figure out is the best way to route the signals to the FOH.

Idea #1 = Use a mic splitter box (Radial JS-2) and send a dry signal to the FOH, then send the other signal to my Mackie where fx could be added, then shot back out to FOH.

Idea #2 = My mic straight into the Mackie, then route 3 signals (1 dry, L&R FX) out to FOH.

[Meriphew]

Bump for any more info/opinions.

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by Meriphew

Idea #1 = Use a mic splitter box (Radial JS-2) and send a dry signal to the FOH, then send the other signal to my Mackie where fx could be added, then shot back out to FOH.

Idea #2 = My mic straight into the Mackie, then route 3 signals (1 dry, L&R FX) out to FOH.

I've done this both ways. I prefer version 1, just so that I can have the preamp control at FOH and not use the Mackie preamp which is 'fine' but not better than 'fine' IMO.

Version #2 worked well when I mixed the Butthole Surfers here in NYC, but their singer has had years to work on & perfect this technique, and he knows when his pre is in the zone, and how to not overload his FX and tap delay. Either one will work for your if you have the time to tweak it and the right attitude from the singer.

Hope this helps!

jim

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Either one will work for your if you have the time to tweak it and the right attitude from the singer.

Hope this helps!

jim

Thanks a lot Jim! I'm the singer, so I should be ok on the attitude.