HELP! Guitar Pedal or Digital Vocal For Live Vocals?

Elvis · 4th November 2011

The singer in my band is thinking about getting an MXR Carbon Copy to run vocals through. Is he better of getting a digital pedal specifically designed for vocals, like TC Helicon Voicetone E1? If we run an sm58 through the Carbon Copy, will we need another piece of hardware to match the impedence? Any other suggestions to achieve quality delay (maybe reverb too) for live vocals?

Go Nigel Go · 4th November 2011

Unless you have a specific radical effect (usually lo-fi) in mind, I would avoid guitar pedals for vocals. Effects designed specifically for vocals will tend to sound better on voice, guitar effects usually better for guitars. Imagine that!

rent-a-rocker · 17th November 2011

I found this thread while looking for information about TC Helicon's E1 tap tempo echo pedal. I'd like to use it to replace a tap tempo guitar pedal vocal delay I put together for live use a few years ago. Here's what I used:

Rolls single mic pre>Marshall EH 1 (with boss tap tempo switch)>whirlwind DI.

Contrary to what Go Nigel Go says, when set up this way guitar pedals work great for vocals. My system is quiet (can't tell when it's on/off) and I've used it for hundreds of gigs. No problems. The downside? It is heavy and expensive ($250+); 4 boxes, 3 cables and 2 spaces on my 9v daisy chain for 1 effect. The TC E1 seems to be the answer to the problem of portability. I'd just like to hear from someone who has put some real world gig time on one before I ebay my old setup.

Kiwi · 17th November 2011

Also note that recent Line6 Pods have XLR mic inputs so their vast range of FX can be used on vocals. I have TC VoiceLive2s, and while these are excellent for pitch/harmonies, I think the Line6 FX have more range and character. If you really love the old BBD analog delay sound, there's no substitute. But Line6 does a reasonable simulation, but sometimes I just prefer the cleaner digital delay sound - so it's nice to have options. And Tap Tempo. And programmed patches. And all the cool modulation FX, etc, etc.

4th November 2011	#1
Elvis Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 212 Thread Starter	HELP! Guitar Pedal or Digital Vocal For Live Vocals? The singer in my band is thinking about getting an MXR Carbon Copy to run vocals through. Is he better of getting a digital pedal specifically designed for vocals, like TC Helicon Voicetone E1? If we run an sm58 through the Carbon Copy, will we need another piece of hardware to match the impedence? Any other suggestions to achieve quality delay (maybe reverb too) for live vocals? __________________ "I want the one I can't have and it's driving me mad"

4th November 2011	#2
Go Nigel Go Gear addict Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 444	Unless you have a specific radical effect (usually lo-fi) in mind, I would avoid guitar pedals for vocals. Effects designed specifically for vocals will tend to sound better on voice, guitar effects usually better for guitars. Imagine that! __________________ What do you mean "make it cut through the mix"? I've been trying all afternoon to bury it with a stake through it's heart!

17th November 2011	#3
rent-a-rocker Gear interested Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17	Imagine this: I found this thread while looking for information about TC Helicon's E1 tap tempo echo pedal. I'd like to use it to replace a tap tempo guitar pedal vocal delay I put together for live use a few years ago. Here's what I used: Rolls single mic pre>Marshall EH 1 (with boss tap tempo switch)>whirlwind DI. Contrary to what Go Nigel Go says, when set up this way guitar pedals work great for vocals. My system is quiet (can't tell when it's on/off) and I've used it for hundreds of gigs. No problems. The downside? It is heavy and expensive ($250+); 4 boxes, 3 cables and 2 spaces on my 9v daisy chain for 1 effect. The TC E1 seems to be the answer to the problem of portability. I'd just like to hear from someone who has put some real world gig time on one before I ebay my old setup.

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17th November 2011	#4
Kiwi Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,204	Also note that recent Line6 Pods have XLR mic inputs so their vast range of FX can be used on vocals. I have TC VoiceLive2s, and while these are excellent for pitch/harmonies, I think the Line6 FX have more range and character. If you really love the old BBD analog delay sound, there's no substitute. But Line6 does a reasonable simulation, but sometimes I just prefer the cleaner digital delay sound - so it's nice to have options. And Tap Tempo. And programmed patches. And all the cool modulation FX, etc, etc.