Vocal Harmonizers? Hard/P.I.

old ghost · 5th February 2012

I am aware that there is a lot of information out on these here and elsewhere, but I've searched for a couple hours and haven't found the answers to my questions.

I've seen the TC helicon and Digitech harmonizers, and they look pretty nifty for what they are and the price-point. I also know there are plugs that mimic this.

Basically I am looking to use this as a creative tool; having my own Garfunkel so to speak....but I want to be able to record the result properly.

The thing that steers me from these boxes is that I have to plug a dynamic into them and out it into my preamps. (I think...) Is there a way around this? Can I use these as an insert and keep the integrity of my chain? (as well as use condensers...)

What I really want is to have my vocal track be separate from the harmony track so I can process them on their own. Can plugins give me this option? I want to use it in realtime for songwriting like I said, so low to zero-latency is really important even if I have to load up a session to write.

Thanks,

John

Kiwi · 5th February 2012

Look at the TC VoiceLive2 or the new VoiceLive Rack. This gives you digital in and out, and midi & USB etc, so you can avoid their converters and just treat it like an outboard plugin. Or you can send a line input and use it analog if you want. I personally don't like the preamp, so this is important to me.

I wish there better competition to these, because TC are selling out and making cheap toys. Most of the FX don't compare with Line6 or better stuff, BUT, I don't know of a better harmony box unless you go for Eventide or software.

They are fun to play with - worth it for th inspiration. I like th fake sound or what it is.

Kiwi · 5th February 2012

I use them with condensors all the time. The TCs Voicelives are very professional - plenty of options, and Switchable phantom power etc.

Unclenny · 5th February 2012

I still use my old TC Quintet as a second channel in. It has a preamp that sounds pretty good.......the manual claims that it is a Burr Brown clone.

Used to use it for backup harmonies all the time. I go back and listen to that older stuff and some of it sounds pretty cool, even though it sounds like what it is. If you get the mix of lead/harmony just right it thickens nicely without sounding too fake.

Didn't quite get me to a Lenny and Garfunkel place though. Haven't engaged the harmonies in a long time.......having more fun now with natural harmonies.

Unclenny · 5th February 2012

Just in case you might find this helpful............

This first track was recorded live in the studio one late spring day with the windows open. I used the TC for the harmonies by deploying the handy footpedal. The Harmonies don't kick in until the second verse.

FWIW, I used a Shure KSM32 for these vocals and employed a small mixer with phantom power. That would be one workaround for that issue.

http://soundcloud.com/leonard-scaper/worth-waiting-for

And, just for more fun.....this track was done a couple of years later. I was trying for some big choral type stuff at the beginning and went with live multi-tracked singing.

http://soundcloud.com/leonard-scaper/always-about-a-girl-320

The Byre · 5th February 2012

Reaper has this bundled in with it and you can create a harmony on separate tracks very, very easily. It even gives you the different keys and modes. It is in the effect 'ReaTune' and (unlike the TC stuff) can be made to sound like real harmonies, sung by real people!

old ghost · 5th February 2012

Thanks for the responses guys. Lenny, cool tunes man! My sister lives by the water in Bradley Beach.... the first song has a vibe that reminds me of my time there and in Asbury Park for some reason.

I'm going to keep my eyes open for a used Quintet... I like that format as a rack piece and it wouldn't break the bank.

Is a footswitch required? Also, can you adjust the volumes of the different harmonies?

Thanks

Unclenny · 6th February 2012

Nah....don't need the footswitch in the studio.

And while there lots of tweakage room with the balance between the leads and the harmonies you can't adjust individual parts. Still, when you get good at it you can really work the harmonies through mic technique.

Glad you liked that tune....it is one of my old favorites.

5th February 2012	#1
old ghost Gear maniac Joined: May 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 242 Thread Starter	Vocal Harmonizers? Hard/P.I. I am aware that there is a lot of information out on these here and elsewhere, but I've searched for a couple hours and haven't found the answers to my questions. I've seen the TC helicon and Digitech harmonizers, and they look pretty nifty for what they are and the price-point. I also know there are plugs that mimic this. Basically I am looking to use this as a creative tool; having my own Garfunkel so to speak....but I want to be able to record the result properly. The thing that steers me from these boxes is that I have to plug a dynamic into them and out it into my preamps. (I think...) Is there a way around this? Can I use these as an insert and keep the integrity of my chain? (as well as use condensers...) What I really want is to have my vocal track be separate from the harmony track so I can process them on their own. Can plugins give me this option? I want to use it in realtime for songwriting like I said, so low to zero-latency is really important even if I have to load up a session to write. Thanks, John

5th February 2012	#4
Unclenny Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Terra Firma Posts: 6,366	I still use my old TC Quintet as a second channel in. It has a preamp that sounds pretty good.......the manual claims that it is a Burr Brown clone. Used to use it for backup harmonies all the time. I go back and listen to that older stuff and some of it sounds pretty cool, even though it sounds like what it is. If you get the mix of lead/harmony just right it thickens nicely without sounding too fake. Didn't quite get me to a Lenny and Garfunkel place though. Haven't engaged the harmonies in a long time.......having more fun now with natural harmonies. __________________ "The main thing is to have a gutsy approach....but use your head." Julia Child "Stop talking about it, get your hands dirty" guitarboy94 "Sometimes invisible are these glistening threads........" Janni Littlepage "Special thanks to STEVE GLEASON......for making me who I am today" Leonard Scaper Leonard Scaper

5th February 2012	#6
The Byre Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Highlands of Scotland Posts: 2,019 1 Review written	Reaper has this bundled in with it and you can create a harmony on separate tracks very, very easily. It even gives you the different keys and modes. It is in the effect 'ReaTune' and (unlike the TC stuff) can be made to sound like real harmonies, sung by real people! __________________ http://www.the-byre.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Slightly OT: Harmonized system codes (HS codes)	dingo	So much gear, so little time!	9	4th August 2007 03:47 PM
PT7: Hard Drive designatable only as T (for transfer)	frugalpole	Music computers	3	4th July 2007 05:20 PM
What hard disc for recording on G5 Dual?	DWINC	So much gear, so little time!	6	3rd March 2007 07:24 PM
anyone tried this new 15k hard drive yet ??	manning1	Music computers	7	2nd March 2007 10:28 PM
Hard Drive Set up (confirmation I messed up)	racemize	Music computers	10	8th January 2007 09:37 PM

5th February 2012	#2
Kiwi Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,204	Look at the TC VoiceLive2 or the new VoiceLive Rack. This gives you digital in and out, and midi & USB etc, so you can avoid their converters and just treat it like an outboard plugin. Or you can send a line input and use it analog if you want. I personally don't like the preamp, so this is important to me. I wish there better competition to these, because TC are selling out and making cheap toys. Most of the FX don't compare with Line6 or better stuff, BUT, I don't know of a better harmony box unless you go for Eventide or software. They are fun to play with - worth it for th inspiration. I like th fake sound or what it is.

6th February 2012	#8
Unclenny Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Terra Firma Posts: 6,366	Nah....don't need the footswitch in the studio. And while there lots of tweakage room with the balance between the leads and the harmonies you can't adjust individual parts. Still, when you get good at it you can really work the harmonies through mic technique. Glad you liked that tune....it is one of my old favorites.